Parametric data
- Route name:
- Merstham to Woodhatch.
- This route on OS maps:
- https://explore.osmaps.com/route/16175523/ ...
- Distance:
- 10.6 miles walked, 0 miles flown.
-
Duration[dur]
-
3.3 hours. - Topology:
- Circular (clockwise).
- Ascent:
- 179 metres.
- Stiles:
- 0 (zero).
- Landmark of note:
- Reigate Priory
- Feasible excursion:
- Perhaps the start could go across the Moors. Some of the aggregate paths there are useable after rain.
-
Waypoints: - Redhill Town, Earlswood Common, Woodhatch, Reigate Town, Reigate Hill, Wray Common, Gatton Point.
-
Weather: -
8°C, 💨 Eye-watering,
chilly breeze.
-
Avoiding roads: -
Raglan Road spoils the show. It has verges, but they are
soggy in winter. What's the alternative?
-
Footpath construction: -
Again, Raglan Road.
-
Footpath condition: -
Again, Raglan Road.
- Refreshments:
- Jacket pot at Morrisons.[msn]
-
Vistas: -
Unexpectedly, Nutley Lane has a nice
view of the Downs.
Blackberries:[bbp]-
No dirt paths this week.
Route map and notes.
I spent a year in that town, one Sunday.
OK, I have learnt my lesson. All wishful thinking about the state of footpaths this winter (and this is the very last day of it) are put aside. The only reason this route goes on dirt at all is Raglan Road and a complete lack of any viable alternative to it.[rag] I've had enough of train services being cancelled, and buses that are once a day on Sunday.
Above all, I've had enough of mud. Last Sunday my new walking wellies (that I had hoped might cope) proved just too new for a five mile hike.[wel] The regular visitor to this journal[jnl] will know that a weekday is my prefered departure,[wkd] but relentless precipitation earlier made a washout of all five. Today is the only one forecast to be dry; so Sunday it is, on with the old shoes, and let's hit tarmac.
A diversion through Priory Park is made more in hope than expectation that the cafe will be found open. So it proves and, in fact, looks as though its forlorn condition is set to continue. Will the long shadow of Covid forever assail us?
The north end of Nutley Lane I had done hundreds of times on my commute to Guildford, but this was my first traversal of the southern end. It looks more of a climb than it was, but I only go half way up. I am spared all the traffic noise that two miles of the A23 offered earlier. The queue for Reigate stretched back down the A217 to the SCC building at Woodhatch. What is Sunday Driver doing while out in such force? I've not a clue.
At 3.2 MPH, this is the fastest time for any walk so far. Just one stop for a navigation check (the western end of Brokes Road), and only one photo: Nutley Lane. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Rambler Man on home tarmac. My return leg (ha!) is not nearly at that speed. More recuperation is needed by welly-hobbled feet 😦