22 off the train we're caught up by a driver making a total of 23 on today's walk in sunny often cloudy weather. No rain today but last night's downpours had left the ground muddy on some paths coating boots with sludge before lunch. A few people ate at the White Horse, the rest picnicked outside the church or by the lake where two proud geese paraded six chicks in the hope of being fed.

The group stretched out after lunch and many ended the walk at the Star in Godalming. Rhododendrons were still blooming along the route but the azaleas were finished at Winkworth Arboretum which was very quiet considering it's half term. Lots of birdsong throughout the day.

21 off the train at Milford in mainly sunny weather we had an early baptism of mud on a fenced-in bridleway, deeply waterlogged and problematic for anyone without gaitors.There were a few other churned up bridleways along the way but in between, paths were firm and it was very pleasant walking through sunlit woods. The group spread out along the way but most appeared on benches picnicking around the pond and outside the church in Hascombe. Some visited the church there and others sped on to Godalming with at least 1 catching the 3.13 train. A couple of people went for tea and twelve went to the Star for refreshments. Most of those caught the 16.40 train.

A strenuous walk which for me felt a bit rushed and could be better enjoyed at a leisurely pace on a longer day. A walker with extensive local knowledge recommended doing it when the rhododendrons are in bloom.

Forgot to mention snowdrops next to the ancient yew outside St Peter's church in Hambledon and daffodils at Winkworth arboretum.

We have got to stop meeting like this…32 on this walk, who made a large crowd on the platform and were only outdone by an even larger group from some other walking outfit in the car park. But thankfully we never saw them again.

It was cloudy but mild . Paths were weirdly dry. OK, there were a few gloopy bits where the path was confined by fences near subterranean springs, but mainly it was July underfoot. Something ain’t right with our climate…

An uneventful morning apart from two llamas being taken for a walk (they were excitedly nibbling the nettles and shrubs by the path, while their fellows in a nearby field sported “Hey, it ain’t fair!” expressions) and a nice snowdrop display in the churchyard at Hambledon. Birdsong included great tits, a dunnock and a mistle thrush.

Two separate tables had been booked for lunch in the White Horse. We tried to add a third and were told we would have to wait till 1.15pm. But when we arrived at 12.40, the pub was empty. Lots ordered at and sat in the bar. On our reserved third table in the restaurant we eventually decided it would be quicker to do the same. The staff were happy with this and the food came quickly.

Approaching Winkworth Arboretum in the afternoon we saw lots of daffodils in flower - a bit weird for 4 February. We got a bit strung out on the next section, but regrouped at Farncombe Lock, where Hectors-by-the-Wey having shut at 3pm caused a whole gaggle of walkers to stand around bewildered.

Half the gaggle went to Godalming. Seven of us swiped right to go up the Wey to the Manor Inn in Farncombe for tea, drinks and sticky toffee pudding. We then set off at 5pm to walk to Guildford in the gloaming. Sadly, persistent cloud meant no moonlight but a compensation was a Hitchcockian-sized flock of rooks and jackdaws wheeling to roost in some nearby trees, and seven or eight song thrushes all competing in song as the light faded.

There was some attempt to persuade us to finish in Shalford, but this was scotched and we all went on to Guildford, where on our third attempt we found a rugby-free pub (the White House) for end of walk refreshies. We then got a train home. Not sure at what time: I always forget to take note.

With no connecting trains available to him the SWC Walks Inspector decided on a car-based walk around Hydon's Ball and Winkworth Arboretum, plotting to intercept the Sunday walkers at Hambledon on a partly sunny then cloudy day. Of the 8 starters the main group were a few minutes ahead of schedule but he was able to join the back marker for the rest of the morning leg. However, there was no chance of us catching the others as we were distracted by masses of interesting (and mostly unidentifiable) fungi, so this walk clearly merits some more autumn outings.

At the White Horse we discovered that the main group had already polished off the pub's supply of Shere Drop but fortunately we were able to refresh ourselves with Aspall's cider before they turned their attention to that. Apart from this interruption to the beer supply we were fed and watered pretty efficiently. After lunch all of us visited the local church as instructed and admired its splendid wall decoration. A little further on the inspector and two or three others broke off to wander around the (rather crowded) Arboretum; there was plenty of autumn colour but it looked a bit subdued in the overcast conditions.

The directions have been tweaked to reflect a few changes on the ground since its last walk check.

#21, # Sunny , This walk starts with a rather overgrown path along side the railway but soon opens out to more interesting countryside. We met a group walking with full grown llamas that can look even the tallest of us straight in the eye. About 12 stopped for lunch at the White Horse which served us in the garden. We had to disentangle ourselves from a waitress who would have liked us to eat more formally on the terrace but were able to order and pay individually at the bar. Food was generally good and delivered efficiently, the goats cheese ravioli was excellent. Some stopped for ice cream at the Arboretum and most for tea and cake at Hectors. Godalming looked a picture in the afternoon sun with a brass band playing as we walked along the river to the station. An excellent day out.

Officially 5 (I was tempted to include the groups of 5 and 2 walking independently and the 1 who missed the train) but you know me, honest as the day is long. The day was dry warm largely sunny A very pretty walk with trees, views, a miraculous draught of fishes, and a large expanse of flowering heather. So well done to the walk poster for choosing it. It’s also one that feels a lot longer than its 11 miles. And it has plenty of ups and downs. Plenty of opportunities for a bit of light-hearted whingeing (readily exploited by yours truly).

The group divided into 3 sprinters and 2 dawdlers. The dawdlers stopped at both the Harriers and the White Horse - to replenish liquid levels. We know the sprinters stopped at the White Horse because we got there in time to wave them off. After liquid levels were adequate, we too were off again, but not before we dropped in the church to see the fish.

We bypassed Hector's and dawdled slightly faster along the canal, (where the boathouse seems have a new source of income- hiring out paddleboards) and caught the 17:55 by a whisker.

I think the train times are wrong there is a9.45 from Waterloo but not a 10.15

Amended. SWT have a tiresome habit at present of changing their mind about weekend train times midweek.

Very hot and sultry sums up the weather. Sunny? Not exactly. A white sky through which the sun shone with varying intensity in the afternoon. Generally it felt like walking through a sauna with an overcoat on. Probably 26 of us, maybe more. I counted at the start and then forgot to write it down. The long narrow path by the railway line at the beginning of the walk ensured we soon spread out into smaller groups.

The landscape was very dry and end-of-summer-y. The regular wooded sections were as much a relief for their greenery as for their shade. Around twelve of us sojourned at two tables in the garden of the White Horse, where some ate and some had drinks, the table service proving very efficient (not to mention well-informed about the benefits of bi-mode trains).

Six or seven of us stopped at the National Trust refreshment kiosk at Winkworth Arboretum - ice cream mysteriously proving more popular than tea (I had both). There was no problem using the right of way through the Arboretum, the former ticket kiosk having disappeared (I think the NT assume everyone arrives by car these days.) My party did get lost in the grounds, but not intentionally, I assure you.

Arriving at Hectors on the Wey at 4.30pm, I was surprised to find the place deserted - apart from another pod of SWC walkers already in residence. So we enjoyed a second tea (for some of us) by the canal in tranquility (or rather we could make as much noise as we liked without disturbing anyone else.)

I think most then got a train about 5.30 from Godalming. I dawdled longer on the riverside seeing water chickweed and comma butterflies, and got the 6.25, on which I met one of our number who had spent the afternoon seeing friends. And so back to the hair dryer heat of London....

Hi what time at Milford station to join the walk please?

To quote from the walk post “...to Milton, arriving....”

Thanks for confirming 11.05 am

Never trust the weather man - gloomy forecast turned out to be Mostly sunny no rain . Nine met on the platform, another showed up at the lunch pub, we met one more in the afternoon at the National Trust cafe, so 11. The walk was so lovely that has exceeded the blurb ‘advertised’ on the website. It was a hot and humid day but we had a lot of shades in the woods. Cool! All stopped at the Hascombe for lunch, 4 ate at White Horse, gourmet menu with the price to match and small portions. Best to stick to the pub classics for a more hearty affair. In the afternoon, six decided to stop at the NT outdoor cafe for tea/ice cream. Lucky we did as the last lost soul (the 11th walker) finally reunited with the group at the cafe. Winkworth Arboretum was especially beautiful. The lakeside wooden cabin is now equipped with a large table and chairs and even a pair of sofas overlooking the lake. I would have been a couch potato for the rest of the afternoon if it was not for the peer pressure..... We got to Farncombe Boat House just after 5pm but the cafe was closed. Pity but not despair. At Godalming, the group disintegrated, some went to the pub, some to catch the train, two decided to try Godalming Delights - a local cafe/ice cream/candy shop with outdoor seating for refreshment. They close at 7pm so could be a tea place in the summer months in future. It is a nice day out in good company. A top mark for this hard to beat book 1 classics. NB - the walk appeared to be longer than the stated 11 miles, my GPS registered more than 13 miles - it certainly felt that way as well.

HI guys anyone attending this walk tomorrow?

Monica

Yes I am

Hi Fi glad you are attending. See you on the train or at Milford station. Taking the 10.00 train from Waterloo. Weather should be fine till 16.00.

Monica

After disentangling ourselves from a ‘private’ group of walkers there were ten of us on the platform at Milford. 10 The rain held off until 4pm and even then it was more of a drizzle so we walked in pleasant mild mainly overcast conditions.

mild and cloudy

I must have been walking too quickly (surely not) to realise that one person failed to rejoin the group after disappearing behind a bush in the morning. We hope that was by choice. Another stopped at the Merry Harriers for an early lunch.

St Peter’s church in Hambledon was open, as has been the custom for the last three years apparently. Having admired it we then inspected the two ancient yew trees in its grounds before four of us climbed to the top of Hydon’s Ball where the view was atmospheric.

No imagination was required to appreciate the cherry blossom in The Hurtwood and then on we went to Hascombe where seven of us picnicked around the very handsome church and village pond.

The next highlight were the camelias in Winkworth Arboretum, although now past their best. Arriving in Godalming we found Hector’s On the Wey cafe open and serving tea and cake. A fine end to a very pleasant day.

The Brighton-bound walkers would have been better off pursuing Milford to Godalming, at least as far as weather was concerned: sunny periods in the morning yielding to grey but no actual rain .

There gathered 8 on the station platform. The disappointment that flowed from the realisation that our fearless walk poster had not himself appeared was enough to cause one of the number to feel unwell and elect to head straight back home.

The weather may have been good, but luck was not on our side so far as concerned lunch. The White Horse at Hascombe was grappling with both a group about to attend a wedding in the nearby church, and a smaller group celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary, and was completely full as early as noon. Only one of our number was quick thinking and assertive enough to grab a tiny corner table and order any food. Sandwiches or nothing for the rest of us.

Two stopped by Hector's on the Wey, which has the advantage of avoiding the need to seek tea in the depressing high street of Godalming and greatly improves the end of the walk. Those two and one other made the 1525 train.

I did this one last weekend. There is a particularly muddy stretch near the beginning that went over my boots.

~Karen

Hopefully it will be dried by now as it's been a very hot week.

9 on this Book 1 favourite including one newcomer who enjoyed her day out. Weather overcast but cool and humid . Also a few flecks of rain were felt on the wind. An excellent day out with even a bit of mud which underlined the point that doing this walk before April would be a major test of how waterproof your boots were.

The walk was done at a reasonable pace and we reached the White Horse quite early. Justb 2 had a pub lunch.I was pleased to note the path to the pub had been "engineered"; in the past in any sort of wet weather it was a bit of a trial. We visited Hascombe Church which is quite "high" church" with its decorative interior. The group kept together and 5 of us had tea, cake (1) and a "magnum" (4) at Hectors on the Wey. The others continued on to catch the 3.56 train whilst we caught 4.27 which was pretty crowded. Good to go back to the "SWC roots" for this attractive predominantly woodland outing

Could be a good to great lunch. New chef. Untested by SWC. Large table in bar reserved for 1 pm. Can’t wait. Lunch Monitor.

am intending to walk this lovely walk and bringing dog

I'm hoping to join you. Sounds a really nice walk! Felicity

Heavy rain predicted all day. may give this walk a miss. Melanie

To avoid the worst of the rain, a couple of us are doing this walk on Thursday. Feel free to join us. Same timings.

Just for the record I have made other arrangements for today as i do not approve of walkers bringing dogs. The media is campaigning against dogs in the more remote areas of countryside as their natural instinct is to go hunting for sheep and other livestock. Nor do I appreciate owners interacting all the time with their dog when these walks are for humans to interact with each other!! Please find a dog friendly group away from livestock.

Haha haha! I know who you are anon.stop whingeing.

Just to advise mid-week colleagues I am NOT the author of comment 6 below. Whilst most of you know that I dislike dogs, I always post comments under my own name - I disapprove of, and have no time for, those hiding behind "anonymous" labels. I have long cursed Andrew, our web-master, for providing the "anonymous" posting option. As it happens I have an amicable arrangement with Melanie (comment 7), the dog walker who occasionally brings a small pooch on Wednesday walks - she doesn't bring her dog on any of my posted walks - although she - sans dog - is always most welcome to come along.

Not the author, surprised that someone got an anti-dog comment posted, as my past comments on the dog issues, under my blogger ID, were removed by pro-dog Webmaster in about 3 seconds, least any floating voters might be influence by fake dog news.

For guidance on bringing 4 legged friends along, please see this website's New Members page:

https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/swc/index.shtml

Can I bring a dog?

Yes. It doesn't often happen, but dogs are welcome, and assistance dogs are very welcome. Please be aware that not all people are 'dog people' though, and wouldn't appreciate a dog running between their feet while walking. Please read the The Rambler's advice for taking dogs on a country walk beforehand, paying particular attention to 'sheep' and 'cows'.

May I just check please that Pete G’s splinter group are still doing this tomorrow instead ?

Yes going tomorrow

Frankie

2

Just two cheerful souls, indifferent to rain and dogs, met on the quiet platform in Milford at 11.05. There was no dog and after 90 minutes or so there was little or no rain. Indeed most of the walk was in warm spring sunshine. But there was plenty of mud and plenty of puddles to wash it away.

In the morning we climbed up to the Hydon’s Ball and were treated to fine views from the top. The White Horse pub in Hascombe did not disappoint either. The food, beer, service and cosy fire were all of a very high standard. The church nearby was also worth visiting.

In the afternoon sunshine the daffodils and camellias in the Winkworth Arboretum were a delight. Sadly the tea room in Hector’s on the Wey cafe was closed when we got there sometime after 4pm although it was not clear when it had last been open. We decided to press on to Godalming station along the banks of the river Wey and arrived just in time to see the 16.51 train leave the platform. On asking a member of the platform staff where we might get a cup of tea he offered to make us one himself. Is this a first ? So we sat in the station beside a vase of tulips drinking an excellent cup of tea much to the incredulity of other passengers. Then on the 17.25 train back to London by which time it had started to rain again.

A great day out.

I would hope Pete G is not leading a "splinter" group. Wednesday walks suffered from such a group eighteen months ago, which resulted in the resignation of our then walk poster, through frustration over alternative walks being posted behind his back. Let's hope today's walk is a one-off due to the weather, and extra curriculum walks will not be resurrected.

5 on the weather avoiding Thursday walk. A dry morning, but rain during and after a delightful lunch left just 2 to carry on encouraged by the rain stopping just before the bus arrived, only to get caught by heavy rain in the last 30 minutes when we abandoned the finish, just caught a bus to Farncombe and straight onto the train home.

7 mostly wet

I'm hoping to join you

Me too.

This is my favourite walk. Definitely going

This part of countryside never fails to amaze, intend going

Are there any Sunday walks this week?

Intend going. This is a book one classic, my favourite. Late start, lunch close to mid point of the walk, with uphill mostly before the lunch. What more can I ask?!

There's also www.cafemila.co.uk/ in Godalming High Street

38 on this walk. Impossible to keep up with what they all did. Blazing hot sunshine meant the copious shade was very welcome. Perhaps less welcome was a big hill climb after lunch, only to descend through the Winkworth Arboretum, then climb back up again afterwards - all on the same valley side. Hot work, though in nice scenery.

As far as I know no one ate in the lunch pub. Is this a record - 38 walkers and no lunchers? The reason was that the kitchen busy with 60 wedding guests wolfing ham, egg and chips before a 2pm church service. But candidly the burger and steak menu did not inspire me anyway. Instead many went on to the National Trust cafe at Winkworth and then for a second tea at Farncombe boat house. (Quote of the day: "Are you still open?" "Yes, unfortunately."). Three walkers were so sugar-rushed by all this that they hired a rowing boat along the Wey for an hour. Two of us walked on to Shalford, a serene evening river walk.

Just to add to Walker's comments below, 3 at the rear were lucky to get a table and ate in the White Horse at Hascombe and 1 walker extended the walk from Godalming on to Guildford.

Make that 40. 2 on later trains.

Anyone joining this walk tomorrow?

Am planning to go.

31 on this walk. sunny and cloudy Pretty flowers along the way including buttercup, foxglove, red campion and, along the Wey, pretty little purple flowers (presumably the small-flowered cranesbill). As far as I’m concerned, the only good rhododendron is a dead rhododendron but even I have to admit they were resplendent today. The White Horse was friendly and accommodating. Someone said the fishcakes had plenty of fish in them (which, strangely enough, can also be said of the nearby church). Tea taken at the boatyard. Some (although not me) were too late. Mostly dry underfoot but we managed to find some mud.