The Devil's Punchbowl - revisited . . .

Sometimes on a Sunday we manage to drive a little further afield and enjoy a day's outing with a bit of a walk and a bite to eat.

We haven't been to The Devil's Punchbowl in Hindhead since the opening of the new A3 Hindhead by-pass with the amazing tunnel.

Being a typical female, I must admit I don't usually get terribly excited about new roads, tunnels etc. but I was curious to see how access to the National Trust car park at the Devil's Punchbowl might be affected. Also being married to a civil (most of the time) engineer - sorry, couldn't resist that old chestnut - who for at least some of his working life was involved in similar projects it seemed like a good idea.

The tunnel was very impressive actually; lighter and airier than most road tunnels I've been in before. The old A3 road which ran alongside the Devil's Punchbowl Café is being returned to nature so that Hindhead Common is reunited with the Devil's Punchbowl. The road now stops just after the entrance to the car park. It's very odd driving practically up to the end of a previously very busy road which now just ends abruptly with temporary barriers. It seems to work well enough though and the car park was full as usual so the disruption doesn't appear to have deterred people from visiting this beautiful spot which is a haven for wildlife and walkers.

I didn't think to take any photos inside the tunnel but I found this video on YouTube of a Ferrari going through the tunnel. I'm afraid the only way we're going to drive through in a Ferrari is in our imagination.

The heather was really beautiful, a sea of subtly different shades of lilac and purple. We obviously picked the optimum time to see it.

Our route also took us past some friendly-looking highland cattle.

The Café came up trumps with Bangers and Mash; we had an enjoyably tiring walk and managed to miss the showers. I think I can say, a jolly good time was had by all.

Surrey Villages . . .

Another super day off today. I went for walk with a friend around some really pretty villages in Surrey. So picturesque I couldn't resist taking a few photos.

How could anyone resist this idyllic scene at Shere?

The mill stream which runs under Gomshall Mill

And the entrance . . . They obviously don't take any prisoners!

Pretty houses and gardens everywhere . . .

And of course lovely old churches too . . . This one at Shere.

And back to Abinger Hammer where we started . . .

We stopped at one of my favourite haunts for re-fuelling of the edible kind - delicious toasted teacakes dripping with butter - definitely not a day for watching the calories!

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning . . . !

What a fantastic day it is today. I love waking up to sunshine. I feel so energised I can't wait to get going with the day.

Early-ish Mass at nine o'clock followed by Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; then a lovely stroll locally through the heath, up to the pond to say hello to the ducks and back via the coffee shop - perfect. As I walked along the footpath, it was such a beautiful morning, I felt like singing, and the obvious choice of course, the song from Oklahama.

I know the words don't exactly match the photos I took this morning of a glorious Spring day in the UK but you get the general idea, I hope.

Ash Wednesday Walk . . .

Wednesday is my day off and I try and fit in a walk if I possibly can. I can definitely recommend it if you're struggling with fasting today. It's a great way to take your mind off thinking about all the lovely food you could be eating, if only it wasn't Ash Wednesday!

I walked with a friend around about the Colley Hill area in Surrey.

Unfortunately it was rather hazy today so this photo doesn't really do justice to the magnificent view from the top of Reigate Hill.

Nearly at our destination - the tea hut at the top of Reigate Hill, and we stopped for a breather at the Inglis Memorial. This 'folly' was originally a drinking fountain for horses. This would have been the main route over Reigate Hill at one time. It has a magnificent mosaic ceiling picturing the Signs of the Zodiac.

After a refreshing 'cuppa' we made our way back home. I couldn't resist a snap of this sign as we passed by. I assume the Adders referred to are not a bunch of dangerous accountants lurking in the field to pounce on unsuspecting walkers.

A Sunday afternoon walk . . .

I'm sure we all know places that we pass regularly in the car; on the train or the bus and say to ourselves, 'I wonder what's behind that wall/fence/hedge? It looks interesting and one day I'm going to take time to explore and find out.'

Today we did just that. After a tasty lunch in the town, we walked up Tunnel Road towards Reigate Castle. The castle in question was a Norman castle, long since in ruins but there are earth works still there and extensive caves which belonged to the original castle that unfortunately weren't open today.

This 'modern' castle gate which is the entrance to the rose garden was built in the 18th Century.

You can see why the common name for this cotinus is 'the smoke bush'. Very aptly named.


No, not a relic left behind by visiting Egyptians, or even New Age travellers, this pyramid in the middle of the rose garden covers the entry to a sallyport (yes, I had to look that one up too!).

The area is well known for it's flora. It's lovely to see bullrushes at the margins of the water; and of course . . . you can't have a Sunday afternoon walk without ducks . . .

All in all, a lovely Sunday afternoon stroll.

Teams' Ramble . . .

We had a really lovely day today on our annual Teams' Ramble. We've belonged to Teams of Our Lady for over 20 years. We joined soon after I was received into the Church and we thought this sounds like something we could do together as a couple, and that would help me as a new Catholic - and we were right.

A Team is generally 4 or 5 couples and a chaplain who meet in each other's homes once a month to support one another in their vocation of Christian marriage. We share a simple meal, read and meditate on a passage from scripture, pray and share the highs and lows of our month with one another.

As well as these monthly meetings we also make an annual retreat together and have various social events throughout the year both as a Team and with members of other Teams.

After the rain we've had over the past few days it didn't look too promising for our ramble but luckily the weather improved and it was ideal walking weather today and we were able to sit outside at the pub afterwards and enjoy our lunch.

We even managed to see a few 'baa-lambs' en route - aaaaaaaaah!

The Devil's Punchbowl

We've just come back from a lovely walk around the Devil's Punch Bowl near Hindhead in Surrey. It's been another glorious day and a lovely dry, mild weekend again.

Everything looked so beautiful today I couldn't choose just one of the photos I took so I've chosen a few to hopefully give a flavour of the place.

It was very busy driving along the A3. It seemed as if the 'world and his wife' were out enjoying this spell of late sunshine - and why not!

Hindhead has always been a bit of a bottle-neck and there were signs of construction work going on for the major project of excavating a tunnel to by-pass this area. It will be a great achievement when it is finished (scheduled for August 2011!) but meanwhile of course means even more traffic jams at this point. I don't envy commuters who have to use this route daily.

The car park was chockablock as was the cafe with the young staff doing a grand job trying to cope with the endless queue for drinks and snack. Nevertheless it was a great day out. Lots of the chores were left undone but ironing and the like can be done any time, can't they?

39 steps - actually it's nearer 260!

We missed our usual Sunday stroll yesterday as we were glued to the TV like real 'couch potatoes' watching the end of the Olympics so we decided to have a longer walk today.

I always say you've got to have the correct footwear for walking, even if it is just a short walk so it's shoes off and boots on.






Mark in front of the view point. You could see a fair way even though it was a bit hazy.






You can clearly see the cricket green in this shot, but no cricketers!





Yes, Mark, it is a lot of steps - about 260 - I counted. We did get to the bottom eventually.

Come on then, aren't you joining me?

Well, once you're half way over, you just have to carry on, don't you. The water level was quite high today but we managed to cross the river without a splash (unlike the boy who was swinging on the rope swing just out of the picture - but then I expect he wanted to end up 'in the drink'!)





We came back over the river by the footbridge.

If you climb down 260 steps, of course you have to climb back up 260 - even if it does feel like at least double that!

All in all, a nice little outing and much better than sitting around at home wasting the holiday.