Despite the forecast of 100% rain – 12 Poly Ramblers disembarked at Riddlesdown station, by which time a steady drizzle had set in, along with gusty winds. However, the wind dropped upon entering the woods, where when we turned around we could see the disused quarry towering above the town. As we climbed further the rain eased slightly affording us a pleasant undulating stroll. Although path was only muddy in parts, the wet leaf carpet made it slippery underfoot for most of the day.
We traversed Kenley Common and up to the airfield where we stopped to view the RAF Memorial, before heading on through more woods and across a valley to our lunch stop at The Fox Pub on Coulsdon Common. One Poly Rambler left us at this stage to avoid problems with the cancellation of return trains from Coulsdon South to London Bridge.

We emerged, warm and fed to find that the rain had definitely stopped and the sky showing a glint of blue. The path went along the edge of the Caterham Barracks Housing Estate before turning off and descending through more woods. Another Poly Rambler elected to take a short cut directly to Coulsdon and the rest of us took the official short cut option via the St Peter and St Paul Church at Chaldon, which is mentioned in the Doomsday book and internationally renowned for the twelfth-century wall painting on the west wall of the church. This superb example of medieval art is thought to be the work of a travelling monk well-versed in Greek art. The vividly coloured painting shows the Biblical Day of Judgement.

From there the last leg of the walk continued through woods and open pasture, enjoying great views of Happy Valley to our right and then on through Farthing Downs bathed in a glorious technicolour sunset all the way to the Coulsdon South Station.

Rochelle. Photos by Rochelle, Stephen and Gillian