LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I parked the car on the A25 road, in the car park at the entrance to ‘Silent Pool’ ponds, as the sun was starting to rise, after a very early journey to Gatwick. I consumed a few refreshments as I waited for a better light. With no cars or people in sight I set off for ‘Silent Pool’ and its close neighbour Sherborne Pond. From the pools the adjacent footpath rose up a steep slope directly to the top of the North Downs ridge, with good views unfolding to the south and south-west. Unfortunately the morning was misty, so the beauty of the surrounding countryside was slightly left to my imagination. With the glass being more than half full, it was beautiful. I missed the Pillbox on the ascent as I was too busy with my head down, puffing at the exertion of getting to the top. I turned right along the broad path of the ancient Drove Road now the North Downs Way, and dodged the very muddy areas. I soon reached a logging area in West Hanger Wood, where the trees had recently been felled. The logs and trunks were graded and stacked neatly into their appropriate piles. I was surprised to see that one end of the larger trunks had all been numbered with plastic tags. I disturbed a squirrel and watched it climb the adjacent tree and carefully jump from branch to branch through the nearby trees. As I walked steadily along the ridge I was thinking how peaceful and relaxing the early morning walk was unfolding, when a solitary couple passed close by, walking their dogs. Normally I enjoy an excuse for a natter, but I was surprised to find someone else up that early on an Easter Bank Holiday Monday. As I approached West Hanger car park, I could see one vehicle parked, which obviously belonged to the dog walkers. From the car park I continued ahead over Staple Lane, passing a huge circular concrete bowl in the ground. I could speculate its purpose but I wasn’t sure. I turned sharp right to a good track to Hollister Farm, still following the North Downs Way. At Hollister Farm buildings, where I left the Way and continued south towards Shere Village, a lady was leading her horse along the farm road. Instead of leading on foot, she was driving a car with the horse reins through the window. There the path became very muddy again, so I had to be very careful as I descended the ridge, passing Netley Plantation. The views opened up occasionally to the right, revealing the welcome, though misty views to the west. As I watched out for squirrels and rabbits I missed the Pillbox again, but soon reached the track underpass of the A25 main road. I decided the track was too muddy from motorised vehicles, so I crossed the main road carefully. At 8 o’ clock on a bank holiday morning, this wasn’t a problem. Extra care was required along the very muddy bottom of the sunken track to the picturesque village of Shere. It was a delight to quietly wander around with hardly a person in sight, just the morning chorus of the local birds. At the junction of Middle Street and Upper Street there was a drinking fountain dating back to 1886, with two seats built into the huge wall opposite the village store. I continued onwards along Gomshall Lane passing the village hall, bus shelter with its variable message sign displaying ‘Please refer to timetable’, and Kinghams Restaurant. I turned right down a footpath to a little wooden bridge across a fast flowing stream, leading to St James’s churchyard. The rabbits scurried away as I walked through the churchyard to Church Lane. There were lots of colourful daffodils around in full bloom. After the church lychgate was the War Memorial and the village square, with the White Horse Public House. I would have welcomed a drink, but the pub doesn’t get many customers before 9am in the morning. I went back to the stream with its pure white ducks adjacent to Lower Street and its interesting varied old buildings. One house had two flowerpot men in the garden which brought back memories of children’s stories. I didn’t cross the ford of Rectory Lane but continued ahead along Lime Walk to Chantry Bridge and Chantry Lane. I passed the perfect half-timbered house to a sunken path on the left, leading to Albert Park Estate. There were good views of the North Downs as I entered Silver Wood. Pheasants ran all over the grassy field on the edge of Silver Wood for protection. There was a good view of the Apostolic Church as I descended to the A248 road and the short walk back to the car.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Start & Finish: On A25 on entrance to Silent Pool

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Number 505
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