A surprise at the Surprise

Twelve walkers set off from the Golden Ark, a cosy micropub on Selsdon's high street, on November 4.  We crossed the main road and entered Littleheath Woods, whereupon Roger Lee and his partner Faith called Dave the Navigator to say they had just arrived at the pub.  Techie Dave sent them GPS locations and they caught up with the main party as it entered Bramley Bank.

By Heathfield Pond 

The route followed the London Loop through Heathfield, an old manor house which was now a council training centre with a picturesque pond. After crossing another busy road and tram line at Coombe Lane, the group found their way through the woods and were soon at the Addington Hills viewpoint which offered extensive views northwards over Croydon to the London skyline.

The surprised walkers at the Surprise 

The group descended through the special flora of the Blackheath gravel beds – gorse, heather, silver birch and stunted oaks – on to Oaks Road. We were surprised - and delighted - to find the Surprise pub open – a favourite après venue for many years and so the group obliged with a couple of songs before setting off again northwards.

Contouring through the woods

Just before Shirley Methodist church, we turned left on to a delightful path crossing Shirley Park golf club and skirting Lloyd Park before arriving and crossing Coombe Lane again. The path contoured around the woods and through Littleheath again before a short stretch of road led back to the start point. Dinner was taken at the Sir Julian Huxley, a few doors away from the Golden Ark, where many of the group expressed wonder at being able to place internet orders for food and beers from our  table, then wait for them to magically arrive!