Group News

Well Dave you asked for it – here goes! A different perspective on the Tanners experience. Seven intrepid explorers left Leicester in two cars – but this time one car (ours) left about 3pm and the other Chris, Sonia, Judith and Alice left considerably later, well after 5pm. Funny thing is – we still managed to meet up at the usual pub for dinner in Dorking. We were just leaving – their meals were just arriving. We debated the benefits and losses of our early start!

The walk down from car park (mile and a halfish) was in the light and could be enjoyed this time rather than being just a bit of an eerie trudge as before. We arrived to be greeted by Sarah C who was sorting out the uninitiated and campers letting them know the rules and ropes in Sarah H’s absence (the currently rather pregnant warden we later discovered the next day).

There was an abundance of campers on this occasion. A couple of Europe guests from Belgium were reluctant to remove their car back up to the car park on what was now a dark and damp somewhat ominous night. But they finally agreed to move it. It was mugs of tea and general chat/introductions for the rest of us. Girls were in the larger two room dorm this time and boys in the small one that is usually the girls. This can be confusing after copious amounts of alcohol and was the source of some mirth in the early wee hours.

After a reasonably early night – after midnight but before dawn – we emerged in the morning and set about making breakfasts pack ups and all the usual fun. It became clear that the kitchen was a dangerous place with so many trying to use limited resources. We were ready for the off at a respectable 9:30ish which is almost unheard of at Tanners isn’t it? A good day’s walking was on the cards to build up an appetite for a good night’s revelry later.

Dave led the walk out through the back boundary of the car park, across Denbies’ Field and along the contours of the North Downs following the Pilgrim’s Way then descended other smaller tracks down towards our lunch stop. The weather was a little undecided but there were only a few spots of rain at times. Not even worth putting a raincoat on for.

We stopped for lunch beside a stream at the Compasses in a village called Gomshall. Sonia had checked with a local and found that the price of houses was seriously over-inflated to serve the London commuters. The usual story young locals could no longer afford to buy homes there we sat outside the pub after lunch and watched a family of ducks out for an afternoon stroll on the stream. Oh dear what is this struggling towards our bridge squawking and fluttering – it’s a little lost duckling – trying to find the family of about 7 who had just passed by unaware of their missing member. Boh noted at this point that ducks were not known for their mathematical prowess

We returned to the hostel along the crest of the ridge via part of the North Downs Way, after first ascending the escarpment past a recently yuppified farm, whose barn had once held an excellent ‘bargain-basement’ walkers teashop! Oddly, the field behind was still home to some large ginger longhaired horned beasts – highland cattle! Some wonderful views in the breaks of the trees over Leith Hill to the distant South Downs – in good weather conditions! It was a really good walk – best one I have had at Tanners. We came back down a different path to look for bluebells. Sadly we had missed the full glory of the blooms as the moment had gone. Chris was not easily put off and was spotted doing a David Bellamy (or is it Bailey) impression lying flat on his stomach behind his camera. Something to watch out for – giant triffid bluebells on the website maybe???

On returning there was the usual cups of tea and total chaos ensued in the kitchen. The number of campers had swollen to terrifying proportions. I looked out in the grounds to see what looked like a proper campsite with loads of tents and one community area set up for a group of young people completing the Duke of Edinburgh awards. Fortunately, they were doing their own outside catering. Another batch was in the kitchen cooking a variety of dishes – good camping food – and loads of it.

Judith met up with a friend of hers with his two sons who were camping in the grounds. They were bravely trying to get their meals cooked as well. Chris, Boh and myself were expectantly waiting for Dave’s promised curry. But as he disappeared in a sea of heads and bodies (at least 6 deep) we began to feel guilty. We had bought some rice that had been prepared and frozen earlier, and the pudding had come care of Mr. Waitrose. As Dave was by now non-communicado and unable to even indulge in a glass of wine safely as he was wielding a nasty looking meat-cutting knife.

It was several glasses of wine and lots of chat later before Dave was to be seen again. In the meantime, Judith and Sonia, who were contemplating dinner, had the problem solved for them when a large pan of pasta in a sauce already was slapped down with the invitation to eat as there had been an excess cooked by other hostel guests. Shortly after Dave emerged with what Chris, Boh and I agreed had been well worth waiting for curry.

The musicians were by now beginning to congregate in the lounge and the excitement built as we all went to get a seat or at least a resting place in the room as the music and singing started up. It’s hard to report what happened after that. Alcohol, music, revelry, good humour, mellowness was all around. There were even some duets and a monologue from Chris and some songs from Dave. I think I spotted Judith on the pickled egg and Sonia on the tambourine. Boh was just on the booze as was I. At one point I heard the sound of an African peace song being sung in African by Dave. Beautifully and sensitively sung. Dave says it’s called Asikatali and is swahili

I don’t remember much else. Somebody made pots of tea for everybody – more than 50 people in a very small space. And what’s more there were plenty of offers to wash up the dishes! People slipped away when they couldn’t stay awake any longer. Soft musical sounds wafting up stairs to send us to sleep.

The next morning there was no doubt – no indecision – no conflicting views – no debate. WALKING WAS OUT -TOO WET! We all decided to cut our losses and head for home to get on with the housework etc left behind on Friday. Visibility was horrendous on the motorway – spray and water everywhere. It was a good thing we had such a good walk on Saturday. One last thing to mention – for Dorothy’s benefit. New showers had been installed using recycled rainwater on an ecological system. Still had to walk down the yard to get to the toilet/shower block. Can just see Dorothy in her pink towel skirt! We also got confirmation that the same four folk nights have been approved for next year, September, December, February and May. Dave, Boh and myself are definitely planning to go to the Tanners music festival in July. Looking forward to that, Chris is thinking about it but needs to overcome his tent phobia first.

Poor old Boh couldn’t get a word in edgeways during this write up that makes a change!!!

Boh’s bit.

We went. We ate. We talked. We walked. We drank (lots). We slept (a little). We sang. We played. We listened. We recited. We showered. We laughed. We went home.
Not necessarily in that order and some of them more than once.

You lot missed it, we didn’t. Better join us next time!