Today was my second walk with the U3A ramblers. This one was completely different from the previous walk as it was out in the country rather than the town and it was at a much brisker pace. We met in a small village on the borders of Kent and Surrey, only about 10 miles from where I live. Although most of the snow has now melted in my neighbourhood, I was met with quite a different scene as I approached the village of Tatsfield. I became quite anxious about the amount of ice on the side roads as they had not been gritted. I found the pub where we were meeting and drove into the car park. It should have been easy to park but the car was skidding even though I was driving like a snail. Luckily there weren't too many cars parked there so I avoided hitting anything.
This is the old bakery in the village which is now a bistro.
The walk began with a steep descent across some very snowy fields
The horses were too busy eating to pay any attention to us.
The young beech trees still had some leaves clinging onto the branches.
It was more difficult crossing this icy road than walking uphill.
These are some young grape vines. There are a few vineyards in Kent now. This one will not be yielding any grapes for another couple of years so the leader of the walk informed me.
The snow was quite deep in this field but it was made much worse as the ground was so churned up and muddy beneath the snow that we kept sinking.
Whoops! Someone about to fall over again.
This was a view looking back across the North Downs. Although you can't see it from this picture, cutting right across is the M25 motorway, one of the busiest motorways in Britain. It is often referred to as the largest car park in Europe due to its high percentage of traffic jams.
This looked as though it was carved from a tree trunk. No-one knew the meaning of it, but looking at the photo, I now wonder if this is the county sign to show we had moved from Kent county into Surrey.
After the walk we enjoyed a hot drink and meal back at the pub in the village.
This is the old bakery in the village which is now a bistro.
The horses were too busy eating to pay any attention to us.
These are some young grape vines. There are a few vineyards in Kent now. This one will not be yielding any grapes for another couple of years so the leader of the walk informed me.
The snow was quite deep in this field but it was made much worse as the ground was so churned up and muddy beneath the snow that we kept sinking.
This looked as though it was carved from a tree trunk. No-one knew the meaning of it, but looking at the photo, I now wonder if this is the county sign to show we had moved from Kent county into Surrey.
After the walk we enjoyed a hot drink and meal back at the pub in the village.
Looks so pretty and quant. Reminds me of one of my favorite movies, The Holiday.
ReplyDeleteGreat walk --and such a beautiful place to walk, especially in the snow. Bet you enjoyed that hot drink after the walk...
ReplyDeleteWe had an Ice Storm here this morning... Nobody is going anywhere much today...
Hugs,
Betsy
You're a braver soul than I ... all that snow and ice - I'd be fearful I'd tumble and fall. Beautiful captures.
ReplyDeleteMust have been a rather cold walk and probably also tiring because walking in snow is not that easy ! I am so fed up of this cold weather ! I want to see green and flowers now !
ReplyDeleteWow, that was a rough walk you made. Yes, the country is much more white then the city.I keep walking here because I don't dare to use my bike, it is all still covered with snow here.
ReplyDeleteU3A is setting a decent pace by the look of it. A drink and a nice meal is a good reward.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your trek and being such a dedicated walker. It is one thing walking on snow but those icy roads really have no grip and can be quite dangerous. I am sure the hot drink and meal afterward was appreciated by all.
ReplyDeleteLooks absolutely GORGEOUS!!! I'd love to have gone on that walk! I only got to do one hike with snow when I lived in Belgium, and it was quite something! I wish I could do some more...
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