I have just reached for what is probably my oldest poetry book, or rather the one I have had the longest, When We Were Very Young by AA Milne. Some lines from a poem in it I liked when I was a child were going round my head, but I couldn’t quite remember how it went. The poem is Puppy and I. When I reread it I knew why it had it been in my thoughts.
Celia and I went walking yesterday. It was a dull morning and it got no brighter as the hours went by, but that didn’t stop us enjoying our walk, and we met a lot of puppies. Puppies and adult dogs who were all expressing their joy in that uniquely canine way; a joy that is gloriously infectious. You’d have to be pretty jaded not to smile. My favourites were a young yellow Labrador called Zelda who would have liked to say hello only there were so many wonderful, interesting smells that she simply had to investigate first, and the older golden Retriever who on seeing Zelda, approached her on the leaf strewn path in a semi crawl, her tail wagging furiously, finishing with an ecstatic play bow.
We left Waterloo on the 9.30 train to Guildford where we changed platforms to travel one stop to Wanborough. A claggy footpath across a field left our boots (and my trousers, Celia seems a cleaner walker) filthy and heavy. I used my walking pole to keep me from slipping. Celia would probably have used hers too had she not left it on the second train. We spent a few minutes at the end of the next field cleaning some of the mud off. Then it was just a step to Wanborough’s Great Barn and church. The church was open and tiny. It looked as though it was still lit with gas lighting. We read the leaflet, mooched in the churchyard, gazed at the Manor House next door, a house opposite it, and then set off again.
The next section was up a slope, through an avenue of yew trees. At the top we faced a daunting task, crossing a dual carriageway to a central section and then another dual carriageway on the other side. The traffic was steady. We were joined by a man who was more comfortable with the crossing than we were. We all survived, but had the morning be shrouded in mist or low lying fog, I think I should have happily turned back.
Once across though we were in the Greyfriars Vineyard. The man strode ahead while we read the information panels and admired the view. We dawdled through the vineyard stopping to see which grapes were grown where. There was a sign to a shop. Neither of us felt prepared to buy a bottle of wine this early in the walk to carry home, but Celia had the bright idea that they might sell wine by the glass. We were so intent on this we missed the sign about the vet rehabilitation and hydrotherapy referrals, so were somewhat surprised to find ourselves looking at a swimming pool where a German Shepherd was being encouraged to exercise. It seemed reluctant at first, but toys did the trick, and soon it was reaching a paw out to the physiotherapist when she stopped to talk to its owner to nudge her into more play.
The shop was open, but alas wine not sold by the glass. Celia got into shopping mode and bought several champagne stoppers as Christmas stocking fillers, and we both bought small bars of organic vegan chocolate. The young woman who cheerfully invited us in despite our mud encrusted boots told us how the vineyard had been started as a hobby by two vets who had the practice some thirty ago.
A few squelchy bits of path followed, but nothing like the early field. Then through some woods, over a manicured golf course, more woods and past a house called Questors which looked like it could feature in an Agatha Christie novel, and onto the North Downs Way. We were heading for the A3, but fortunately we went under it rather than risking our lives crossing the carriageway. Before long we reached Watts Gallery where we ate our packed lunches at the picnic tables before going into the café for cake, and in Celia’s case, coffee. We managed to resist buying anything in the shop, though I rather fell in love with a coat I definitely don’t need.
Off again, and for the first half mile or so the route was the same as the one on our much loved Guildford circular walk, but instead of heading for Loseley we branched off and walked towards the Withies Inn, a place I remember from my teens when it had a reputation for being very swish. From the look of the website, it still is. We didn’t stop.
My compass came into play when some of the directions weren’t clear. We walked beside a field where a muntjac deer stood apparently unaware of us. The air was still so presumably no trace of our scent reached it. The paths were deep with leaves, so many oak leaves making overlapping patterns. It’s only a few weeks since we were walking and saying how late autumn was, now it’s definitely on the cusp with winter. Some of the paths led us between the gardens of large houses. It was clear not all the house owners welcomed us. There were high fences to preserve privacy which made the path feel enclosed. It was a relief to return to woodland. Eventually we dropped downhill to the River Way and walked beside into Godalming, another town I know from my childhood. Celia had never visited Godalming, never been interested in visiting Godalming because she thought the name sounded boring. She changed her mind when we hit the High Street and she made further progress with her Christmas shopping.
In the past I used to think it wasn’t worth doing a walk of less than twelve miles. That has shortened to ten. Yesterday’s was around eight. It felt enough, especially as MasterB, who had been confined to the flat all day, very much wanted some full on interactive play when I got home. My planned sofa evening really didn’t happen.
Stay safe. Keep well.
Isobel (and Cat)'s Blog 
You walk 8+ miles at a time? I’m impressed. I think 4 is the most I’ve knowingly done myself. But I have trouble walking for long periods of time nowadays due to a combination of foot surgery I had 2 yrs ago, micro fractures, and my job.
I used to happily do fifteen mile walks, but those days are over I think! While the knees cooperate eight miles will do me. Shorter walks allow for more time enjoying stopping and looking. There is a fifteen mile walk in Essex I’d like to do,,but lots of things to see on the way, so a break in the middle for an overnight stay appeals. You could make it a long weekend! The important thing is to get out and walk where and while you can.
I don’t know if my foot would cooperate. It starts to throb and swell. But I admire you that you get out and do that.
That’s really tough. I hope the photos of our walks make you feel you are doing them too.
I love the photos!
A wonderful post, Isobel. Many thanks. I enjoyed reading about your walk, and loved your fabulous photos!
Thanks Octavia. You do a fair amount of vicarious walking with us, one day you should come along!
What a glorious walk.