JOHN MERRILL'S SURREY HILLS CHALLENGE WALK - 23 MILES & 600M/2,000 FT OF ASCENT.

ABOUT THE WALK -

My final preparations for walking around the entire coastline of Britain, was the Pilgrim’s Way from Winchester to Canterbury; reaching there on Christmas eve. The walk was fascinating with many remarkable places and historical buildings. One place that stood out was Abinger Hammer, and although a small village it made an impression.

Many years later I have twice walked from the Thames at Kingston on
Thames, following the Down Link path to the North Downs Way near Box Hill. The route doesn’t go to the summit, but I always do, for the view and completeness. On my last walk a month ago I realised that I had not walked the North Downs Way in its entirety, although I have walked many sections of it over the years. Standing on Box Hill, I resolved fo correct this oversight and the next week was in Farnham and walking the way. I eventually came above Gomsall and knew it was another three hours walking to Dorking, so I descended to Gomsall. Here I learnt I had missed the train and the next was in 2 hours time! I should have carried onto Dorking!

But, there was a meaning fo all this. A few days later I was back in Dorking and caught the bus to Abinger Hammer, close to Gomsall, and I could retrace my steps back onto the way and walk onto to Dorking and Mertsham. It was while I was on St. Martha's Hill the first day and looked at the view to Leith Hill, arguably the highest point in S.E. England, that I realised I had not explored the Surrey Hills.

Back at my desk, later, I looked at the maps and “saw” a circular walk from Abinger Hammer over the Surrey high spots to Leith Hill and back via the stunning village of Shere. I interrupted my walk along the North Downs, and two days later was back in Abinger Hammer and set off on this walk: It was all meant to be.

The sun shone and as always I did no research, just worked out a natural linking route around the area. That’s the beauty of not knowing what is just around the corner until you get there. I came and discovered many interesting places, saw a wide variety of birds, and numerous impressive trees, now tinged with autumn colours. But, it is the views I remember most: Leith Hill has an extraordinary panorama, but several other hills provided stunning views. I took little over 8 hours to do the walk and was sad it was over. I'm glad the bus only went to Abinger Hammer and reacquainted myself with this choice piece of scenery and history.

| hope the suns shines for you all day; the views unfold in all their majesty: the trees sway in the gentle breeze; the birds sing and the squirrels scamper nonchalantly away up a tree as you pass. Enjoy the walk.

Happy walking! John N. Merrill.

A5. PLACED IN A PLASTIC WRAP AROUND COVER AND SIGNED BY JOHN MERRILL

Special cloth badge and signed certificate by john Merrill fro successful walkers.

Names added to  my Walkers Roll of Honour page.