July 2014 - North Downs Way, Westwell to Ditchling

July 2014, walking another section of the North Downs Way. We walked from Westwell to Ditchling, estimated by BB (without a map, apparently!) to be 12 miles. It was actually 17. I had thought this would be a gentle re introduction to walking after completing the London to Brighton Trek for the BHF on June21/22. Not a bit of it. Jeffrey was with us, and with a little tlc (Bonios and litres of water) he made it too.  We saw lots of these snails, called Roman Snails, we could have collected enough for a meal (but we didn't!). We also saw this cross above Lenham, a tribute to the war dead of two world wars, and this old monk on a bench above Harrietsham. 

I drove on Friday evening to Ditchling, where I parked the car strategically for the return to Westwell on Saturday at the completion of the walk ( making time for a sneaky G & T) and waiting for BB to collect me in the motorhome.

We stayed at Dun Hill Farm camp site at Westwell.It was very lovely on Friday evening, and after a quick drink we walked through the pea field opposite to the local pub, The Wheel Inn, for a meal. IT was very good. It began to rain just after we got back to the site, and so we repaired to bed. 

We set off the next morning at around 11a.m. We had thought we would arrive at the Cock Horse Detling around 4p.m. In the event it was nearer 6p.m. A quick pint and a packet of crisps (£9.50) we headed back to the camp site. We managed to sit out for a cup of tea, but by the time we'd showered it was raining, so we had to eat 'indoors' - not what we'd been hoping for!

Between leaving in the morning and getting back at night, the campsite had really filled up, particularly with an organised school event - we guessed it might be DoE awards, as we had met many groups of young people during the day competing for the silver level. Jeffrey loves people, particularly young people, and when we went out for his midnight tiddle he rushed across the campsite and entered a massive tent. Cue lots of squeals - probably Jeffrey giving them a friendly licking, before Jeffrey was quickly escorted out held by the collar by a burly security man (who was very nice, actually).