17:29 London Bridge to Guildford - Friday 1st August 2014

I've been intrigued by this entry on the timetable board for a quite a few months now so I thought it was time to give it ago.

I would catch the service and then walk back the 9 miles to either Horsley or Effingham Junction, however I notice the route supplied by Google walks was again along a A road no doubt a duel carriage way so I'm sort of prepared this week with my GPS and maps, problem is I haven't looked at them yet, and even a couple of torches in case it gets dark!

I don't know what to expect with this train as it's only advertised to run once a day at the same time, will it have any passengers, will it in fact run? I thought I had an explanation when I arrived at London Bridge and it was advertised to Epsom only. Ah, it's one of those trains, advertised to a stop midway on route and as it progresses it announces that it will continue on to another destination further on. This is a popular ploy on the circular routes in South West London. This also means that the train would fit nicely into the Epsom timetable.

And then the announcement came, 'Passengers travelling to Guildford on the 17:29 please beware that this train will terminate at Epsom tonight owing to Staff shortages' or some other bollocks. 'Passengers travelling to stations beyond Epsom to Guildford will need to catch a connecting service at Epsom'. Great, that spoils my whole evening and instead of arriving at 18:44 God knows when I will arrive at Guildford, I even left work to ensure I caught this train, sod it. 

I checked the trains, next train to Guildford is 18:47 arrive 19:20, to late, I need three hours to do my nine miles. instead I can catch the 18:15 to Effingham Junction and walk back to Guildford, means I can walk the country part in daylight - still bollocks though!

Route to Epsom takes me through some old haunts, West Croydon, Waddon and of course Epsom, not been to any of those stations for years. Went past the new depot at West Norwood looks impressive. Typical commuter train no talking (mind you that's how I like it) but today it would have been good to eavesdrop into a conversation or two!

Epsom Station

Effingham train arrived on time, at least I can visit Effingham never been there, I was underwhelmed by the place, well the station anyway. Lots of other people got off but stayed on the platform, a Guildford train was due from Waterloo via Woking the other line that makes up the junction in Effingham.

I only planned my route in between the previous station, Bookham, and Effingham so it was a bit off the cuff but started off pretty well walking along a nice country lane and then into a pleasant residential street with some very nice houses.

Leafy Lanes near West Horsley

Everyone is welcome!!

I was walking between East and West Horsley, East Horsley appeared more friendly, as West Horsley, had signs making everyone aware that cold callers were not welcome (good idea), and that a community neighbourhood watch and speed control was in place. Not sure what a community speed control area is, maybe report each other if found speeding! East Horsley also boasted a Mortiboys Dental Spa, conjures up all types of images, dentists in leather shorts extracting teeth whilst having a sauna, as well as very large Remembrance Day Poppies on lampposts, either leftovers from last November or something to do with the 100th anniversary of WWI.

Unfortunately the Horsley's were not immune from fly tipping, a huge pile of builders rubble was dumped in a field, it's a shame someone had left the double gates open or maybe one of the residents took objection to the community speeding initiative!

After my outings on the London Loop this walk was pleasantly quite enjoyable, although there was still the inevitable golf course and path between two high fences. I touched upon some National Trust land in Hatchlands Park. I was treated to some big skys as I crossed open parkland with the odd oak dotted on the horizon. However, as I got closer and closer to Guildford the countryside began to get dodgy, but at least not to the extent of some of the places I went to in early June, I was treated to the sight of a Deer and I even had time to get my camera out to take a photo but decided not to post it as it blurred!.

East Clandon

Only saw two people outside either their cars or houses all the way between Effingham and the outskirts of Guildford. This was a middle age couple, I think that's the term you apply to people of my age, they were making their way to the Barley Mow, the Village Pub and Diner, and very nice it looked too. Mrs Middle Age left a slipstream of perfume as she passed me down one of those narrow paths with high hedges, in this case, on each side.

As I arrived on the outskirts of Guildford at a place called Merrow I checked the trains and found there was one at 21:50 from London Road (Guildford) that would get me to Waterloo in time for the 23:05 train home (assuming no one trespassed on the railway between Clapham Junction and Waterloo and the power does not have to get cut off). The time was 21:00 so I needed to speed up to ensure I caught that train whilst navigating my way around the the diabolically confusing road layout of Merrow, very nice I expect but not when you're in a rush to catch a train. As it happened I made in in good time with about six minutes to spare.

Big sky's

So not an entirely successful evening, I now need to re attempt the trip again, Beverley says I have too many rules, problem is she just doesn't get it!

Oh yes we did have trespasser, finally got home at 00:15.