Day 24 Alton to Farnham: Pleasant Paths and Pastures

The Last Day with Susan

For an OS map of today's walk click here.

This was our final day of walking with Susan, a fairly long amble on gradually rising land to Farnham—end of St Swithun's Way and beginning of the North Downs Way. After leaving Alton, for the most part we had good paths that were fairly soft underfoot. Rolling hills, fields, farmland, and the occasional small village & church. As we had suspected, Susan's feet had toughened up just before it was time for her to go home!

Beautiful Roses, Upper Froyle

Sort of a mosaic of impressions from today. At Hollingbourne Church we saw a pond outside with swans on a small island, and what looked like eggs on the ground nearby. We couldn't tell if they were the swans' eggs or not. We passed a classic car repair shop. Upper Froyle church had embroidered vestments in a display case, and a stained glass millennium window depicting symbols of the community and the idea of pilgrimage. [It was unique in its lowered chancel and also very Anglo-Catholic feel—probably the most "Catholic" Anglican church we've been to in all our travels in England—Ken.]

Upper Froyle Church

In a field, the official path looked like a shallow ditch filled with nettles, and everyone had clearly made an alternate path along the edge of the field. A woman walking her spaniel came through a gap in the hedge. The dog was exceedingly happy and exuberant, bounding through the field, its tail wagging back and forth so quickly that it looked as though it were propelling the dog. The woman asked if we had seen her other spaniel, but we hadn't. Susan asked her if the other dog was as happy as this one.

A Fun Lunch in Bentley

We made a short stop at the Anchor pub, which had low roof beams and a dim interior—a very English-y pub feel. While waiting at the bar to get drinks for us Ken had a nice conversation about our walk with some people at a nearby table—with a very nice, dog, Ken adds!

Pilgrim's Cross, Bentley

Approaching Pax Hill Farm, we noticed that the short posts at the side of the road had been freshly painted bright white. The painter had apparently been so enthusiastic that he kept going and painted two sides of the fingerpost marking the pathway, painting over the round waymark that indicates the name of the path and the direction you are supposed to go. Fortunately we knew where we were going.

The church in Bentley was really neat, approached by a path through dark ancient yew trees. We got a good feeling from the place; it seemed to have a lively and active congregation. There was also a pilgrim's cross carved into a pillar in the south aisle. We sang "To the River" and our standby "Amazing Grace," then went outside and shared and enjoyable lunch in the churchyard.

Susan got to see a field of sheep and lambs, something we hadn't encountered much on this part of the walk. One of the lambs was standing outside the fence, but seemed quite content.

Near the end of the day at Middle Old Park we also encountered some very curious cows, who walked all the way across the pasture to visit!

When the fence started bending under the pressure of the herd, we decided we'd better get out of there!!!

Late in the afternoon we arrived in Farnham—walking down the hill from the castle along with rush-hour traffic—and settled in to our B & B. In the evening we went to the conveniently right-'round-the-corner Lord Nelson's pub for dinner: Ken and Susan enjoyed meat pies [which, being made fresh took a long time, but they were well worth it—Ken], while I had a nice bowl of soup.

Walking Into Farnham

When we got back to our B & B we watched a couple of episodes of Grand Designs—a show about people designing their own homes, often quite unusual (e.g., digging down and building levels underground) and always expensive! A cosy end to the day—although a bit sad given that Susan wasn't going to walk with us anymore. It didn't help that Susan was in a separate room and in our room there was only one lamp! So cosy, but a bit dark and mournful, too—Ken.

29,539 steps, 22.154 km, 887.2 cal
OS getamap measured distance:  11.44 mi (18.41 km)
Susan's GPS: 20.53 km, 12.76 miles