After almost a month's break, it was lovely to be back out in the countryside walking. This week's route was a long awaited one. For some reason we'd been wanting to climb Leith Hill for a while, and we kept putting it off as one of us would go AWOL and we wanted to save the walk till we were all present. This week, it looked like we were finally all present. Unfortunately, at the last minute, Phil pulled out but it was too late to pick a different walk.
Setting out from Holmwood station, we made our way into the country.
Quite quickly, we made our way across fields and alongside a little pond. The ducks were standing in a row, perfectly still, almost pointing to one direction. It was kinda funny.
Soon we started the climb up Leith Hill. Most of it was quite a gradual slope, except for one very steep section. You know when it comes to a point where you're almost bent double as it's so steep you can't actually stand up? Yeah, well you might as well clamber up using your hands too.
We got to the top of Leith HIll, which is 294m tall, with its wonderful view and historical tower.
Hmm, interesting
fact.
"The tower was built in the years 1765 to 1766, later to become known as Leith Hill Tower, with the intention of raising the hill above 1,000 ft (300 m) above sea level. The tower is 19.5m (64 ft) high and consisted of two rooms "neatly furnished", with a Latin inscription above the door announcing that it had been built for not only his own pleasure, but also for the enjoyment of others. Hull provided visitors with prospect glasses, similar to a small telescope, through which to survey the extensive views towards London and the English Channel, each some 40 kilometres (25 miles) away, and thirteen counties on a very clear day. When he died in 1772, at his request he was buried under the tower,
upside-down as he believed that at Judgement Day the world would be turned on its head."
Whoa, centuries of headrush!
We didn't linger as there were too many people about. We delved back into the woods to get away from the civilisation.
We stopped at the Stephen Langton Inn, which is the "recommended" pub stop. The food was nothing to write home about, and the bartender was really snotty. For anyone else walking this route, it's probably more enjoyable to bring a packed lunch and munch atop Leith Hill or have a late lunch at Gomshall Mill.
Nice horsies though.
Sometimes the countryside is kinda cute. We walked past a cottage with a little table out front, where little pots of homemade jam sat. There was a jar saying "Two pounds each". Ali bought a jar and dropped a two pound coin in.
Did I mention it's also berry-picking season? Plump blackberries dangled from bushes left and right.
We arrived at Gomshall fairly early and stopped for a cup of tea. Unfortunately, that meant we missed the train and it was not for two hours before there was another. Things were turning grim fast, until we decided to pop into the lovely Gomshall Mill restaurant/pub.
This cosily decorated pub was lovely. Leather couches, soft cushions, a fireplace...and the food was scrumptious! We had cream teas to start. The scones were soft and warm, and the clotted cream thick. Ali's scampi and chips were fresh and properly crunchy. After several cups of tea, we decided on the mixed deli platter which had pitta brea, humous and assorted meat. Yum. It turned a dismal wait into a rather pleasant afternoon.
