North Downs, Silent Pool

The rain of the last two days had now stopped and after a frosty night it was time to go for a walk. I thought that the sandy soils of the North down and Greensand ridge would be a good bet for dryer paths. So I worked a route out Starting at Silent pool, up onto the downs then across to Merrow downs by-passing Newlands corner to St Martha's hill. Down to the tilling Bourne and across above Albury to Abinger Hammer. back up the north downs and returning to Silent Pool.

Several things conspired this morning, first the road down past Albury Park was closed for an accident, then Silent Pool now has a parking charge... I thought I would need over 4 hours to get around, but as this was prohibitive I had to settle for up to 4 hours (I would have to adjust the route to ensure I came back in this time. As it turned out other factors would adjust the route.

From Silent pool car park I climbed up the direct path to the ridge line - I attacked this "with gusto" as they say so that I could clear the remnants of the flu out of my lungs - a consequence of last weeks ski trip!

Over the top of the ridge and down the gentler side passing New Scotland farm to the old version. Then along the north side of Clandon Down.

Angling away from the bridle path through the woods to the drive for Wellhouse farm.

Along the drive and down to Shere road (A25) at the separate carriageway section. I crossed over past some traveller caravans and into the woods opposite. I used a path where the fence had been dropped to join up with the one on the map.

Through the woods of Merrow Downs following a wiggly path - over Trodds lane and across to meet the trackway from Newlands Corner. Then over tot eh edge fo the north downs ridge to look over.

The view down the slope south form the edge of the ridge...  all the fog in the low pockets.

Angling down the slope to White Lane farm, and along the path beside the back road. Up the track beside Keepers cottage to join the Pilgrim's way.

Along the very sandy major track to St Martha's church sitting on top of the hill of the same name.

Looking down from the church to the valley below.

Down the track into the mist below, before coming out the other side beside Chilworth vineyard.

Along the track above the vineyard, curving down to Lockner farm. Over the A248 and up the lane opposite to the railway line.

Leaving the lane to cross the fields heading for Postford farm cottages. 

The last cottage had a cloud of steam rising from its fence, just before I turned up a path beside it. This climbed into Blackheath forest.

Through the forest following whatever tracks went my way - the mist was creating a great view.

Eventually reaching the track through Broomfields, and down to Brook farm.

Along the back road and under the railway bridge to Little London. At this point I was feeling the after effects of the flu and getting weary so quickly charted a new course back towards silent pool.
This curved around through Albury Heath and up to park road.

Over the road and down the wide track past exquisite old oaks basking in the sunlight. Down to The stream (Tilling Bourne) at Chantry Bridge.

Rather than use this crossing I elected to continue towards Shire and use the ford at Rectory Lane (just because I had never been across that one before!)

Across a back road and into the fields leading to Silver Wood, along the boundary of Albury Park.

Through the edge of the woods and down towards the church on Albury Street (there is a second church inside Albury Park)

Passing the church and up Albury Street to cross the A25 back to Silent pool car park. Lungs feeling much better for the blow, but legs feeling tired.

Departure Day

Morning delivered a warmer day - the snow was wet as it had rained for half the night, and quickly turned to slush as we walked on it. Above the sky was covered with low cloud and it continued to rain at our height level.

Steph and I carried our stuff up to the car in the lay-by with several trips. By he time we had it all packed away the path was very slushy.

Katie and Lloyd planned to go skiing at Les Saisies, to try out the powder, but the cannons going off all around reinforced our decision was right. This was further backed up by the news that an avalanche fatality had occurred later at Le Planay. The avalanche warning level was 4 but I suspect with all the bangs going off it may have been even higher!

We drove down to Beaufort without the need for chains due to the slush. On our journey across France we left the snow behind after the tunnels through the Jura. then as we got closer to the Channel the rain and wind grew heavier.
At Dunkirque the ferry was delayed by and hour due to the crossing conditions, but we were able to change the booking.
Back home for 2am and a sleep. Next day Sue went into hospital with suspected pneumonia and a telling off about not visiting a doctor sooner!

Les Curtillets Walk

We woke up to around 5cm snow, and it was still snowing..  It was supposed to be sleet and only a small amount. Anyway the first thing was to get the car off the drive and up to a more travelled road since it was going to get heavier - this involved putting on the snow chains and driving up the access road to the bus stop lay-by. 

Chris and M-J were heading home after yesterday's accident and taking it easy so we followed them down to Beaufort - first to make sure they got down to the ploughed and gritted road, but also make sure they were safe. More goodbyes then removed the chains for the drive along the main road . Then off to the supermarket for some chains for Lloyd who had forgotten his set. On the way back Sue and Katie messaged that the water was off, so we tried to stop in Beaufort (ostensibly to put the chains on again) to see that the supermarket was closed and we could not get any bottled water.

Back up to the chalet and time to get the chains on Lloyds car - the first went OK, but the second was more of a nightmare as the pulley mechanism failed - broken rivet - so a few cable ties and glue resolved the problem for now ... we will see in the morning if it works.

Lunch before going out for an afternoon stroll in the snow - still falling - it was now 30cm. The lifts were working but the visibility was minimal and snow falling, however it was not something that really high on the pleasure list. The avalanche risk was very high with the new snow on the rock hard ice under it. So walking was a better option.

We went along the road above the chalet past the lay-by the cars were parked in. They were already covered in snow after the morning dash down the valley.

Following the road as it contoured around the hillside past a frozen stream marked as Captage.

Through the trees above Les Combettes.

Then at Le Plan, we dropped down a level and turned back towards Les Curtillets

The path crossed a number of fields and streams (lower and more open than the gorges above).

The path led into Les Curtillets, below the chapel.
Then up the chapel road and back to the chalet.

Back in the chalet we dried off and warmed beside the fire.
Sue was feeling rough after the walk and her cough was rumbling more.
Outside it was still snowing.
Steph and I decided that we would return home in the morning with Sue as she was not getting better.

After dark it stopped snowing and cleared up and the temperature rose.
On the road up to Areches there was a major incident at the "bad" hairpin and it took over 2 hours before the traffic started flowing again.