There and back from Downe

Walk debutante JWT and returnee Brendan Redmond joined the group gathering at The Queens Head Downe on 25 October. But two participants were delayed: Dick Jones on a 146 bus and Tony Keel in his car, both trapped behind a 40ft container truck and triple-axle trailer which had apparently attempted to follow a Satnav route along the narrow lane into Downe.  Once reunited, the group sang a farewell song to the barmaid and set off past the church in pleasant autumnal sunshine.

The Downe walkers, including Pete (far right) who joined them at intersection with London Loop.  

The group had rashly accepted an offer from local expert JWT to provide navigational advice. Somewhere in the High Elms woods he lost all 12 of his charges, leaving them to use their GPS to find the route.  JWT eventually reappeared near the golf clubhouse and led the walkers to the outdoor Eton Fives court, whose acoustics were tested by a quick rendition of "Saints".

Joyous walkers display near-empty jugs of free beer at Woodman, Farnborough  (photo JWT)

 All were pleased to reach the terrace at The Woodman in Farnborough and settle down for their halfway beers.  After singing a couple of parting songs, disaster struck! The landlord was so impressed that he rushed out with jugs of beer, imploring us to sing more and hoping to book us for a future gig.  We duly obliged - this was the second successive walk where free beer rewarded our choral efforts. Meanwhile somewhere between Farnborough and Downe Pete Gillman, our recuperating walkmeister,  was waiting to join us during the return leg.  He was obliged to wait an extra half hour while we gave the pub full value in return for their generosity.

Walkers approach rendezvous with Pete on return stretch to Downe

The group finally left and followed paths across open downland until we spied Pete waiting patiently at the intersection with the London Loop.  During the final stretch in the gathering twilight rain fell for the first time since leaving Downe. We found walk social member Ted Mouat in the Queens Head where we tucked into more beer and dinner. There were a few final songs, some directed  to the landlord's barmaid daughter Lana, who the following day was delighted to welcome Pete Gillman and wife Leni back for lunch.