Tilford walk on 2nd August 2023

Tim and Jane’s 4.7 mile walk got off to a delayed start due to a road closure on the way to the Duke of Cambridge pub near Hankley Common which tested a combination of sat nav and blind faith abilities, but we all made it. We set off in the dry past Hankley Golf Course club house on the sandy soil to Stockbridge Pond to take in the view and then the left turn onto the byway. Crossing the main road our route took us straight through Stonehills, Tilford Common, and Chuter’s Firs when Tim took us off onto a small path that lead to the National Trust Café at Frensham Little Pond. Gentle spitting of rain while we ordered our selection of beverages and cakes turned into full rain by the time we finished, but we had already sat under cover for our coffee break and then donned our rain gear in the dry for the second part of the walk. The rain persisted, puddles formed but the walking remained easy so skirting around the puddles proved straightforward. The main road was crossed again as we entered Hankley Common and onto Greensand Way across the golf course to realise we had better wet weather gear than the hardy golfers. Arriving back at the Duke of Cambridge we removed our wet waterproofs, rushed to the bar to wet the insides, enjoyed our lunch, toasted and sang Happy Birthday to a strapping young lad (!?) in our walking group.