Onward to Guildford

As I walked out one midsummer morning … I was about to revisit old haunts of my childhood .
Yesterday was tracing the Itchen but today it’s the river Wey onto Guildford.
An earlier start and a bit overcast and I pass an ancient small cinema in Alton - it’s looked better but it’s still oddly there !
Holybourne church and then it’s cross country and fields of wheat at least with a clear pass!
Then a slight detour to check out an old courting pub - it’s closed !
Back on the way I again cross the Wey at Coldrey and then visit the very weird mysterious Kew limbed tree growth ( over 350 years old )in the churchyard at Bentley where pilgrims drew water .
After many fields later I reach the outskirts of my old home Farnham!
Down West street starts with the graveyard I used to cut grass in and dig graves for the council !
Then a surviving brewery ! The Lion , past its great days !
Many pubs and shops are still there and bring back old memories ! The church of St Andrews is still as impressive as ever ! I’ve promised myself a beer in the great William Cobbett pub , birthplace of the great parliamentarian ! It’s closed ! Gasp! I press on to the station and down the north downs way which tracks the Wey , pass Moor Park House . I hope for a beer in the old fave the Jolly Farmer at Runfold- it’s very closed in fact it’s an upholsterer company ! In the shadow of the Hogs Back onto Seale and a very impressive church ! I pass an old primary school pal’s company - I pop in after a 50 year absence ! He’s still alive and well but not there today !
It’s a straight road to Puttenham and hop fields !!! Back and being used by the Hogs Back brewery ! Very impressive ! A bit further and an open pub the Good Intent- afternoon beer ! The church here is again very impressive and has a porch dating to 1170! Passed by some fantastic golf courses emerge under a Lutyens bridge with two crosses to mark the pilgrims way! I finally emerge at St Catherine’s and Ye olde Ship inn!
That’s it 22 miles - easier but hot! A night in the Angel in Guildford !Read more