There was little mud and lots of sunshine on today’s 7½ mile walk. Twenty-four arrived at the start in Chinthurst Hill car park off the B2128. One person turned back after about two miles as she found the going tough. Another person, whose knees had seen better days, dropped out about 1½ miles from the end and returned to the car park at his own pace. Soon after that another two, worried about a proposal to go up Chinthurst Hill, took a short cut back to the car park. By the time the rest were near a path to Chinthurst Hill any enthusiasm to climb it had gone.
We walked west from the car park on the Downs Link, took a footpath north then turned left to Chinthurst Lane. Here we turned right, branched right on a footpath to the A248, crossed the road, headed east across Shalford Common,, crossed the railway line, continued on a cycle track to East Shalford, turned NE on a footpath to Halfpenny Lane by the North Downs Way, headed NW on a bridleway to Pewley Down and stopped at the top for refreshment. We sat in the sunshine and admired the view. Grass was dry enough for us to sit on it.
From the top of Pewley Down we made our way downhill via back streets to the castle keep. Flower beds in the grounds were bright with red primulas. We joined the River Wey Navigation by the Yvonne Arnauld theatre, headed south, crossed the river by the rowing club and continued on a path parallel to the A281. In Shalford we crossed this road near the roundabout, walked across the green to Chinthurst Lane and retraced our steps back to the car park.
Map: OS X 145
Walking Matters 