A walk on the mild side.

It never ceases to surprise me that the chattering classes will happily fork out shed loads of dosh for a walking holiday in Appalachia or The Dolomites but remain totally ignorant of the walking potential right on their doorstep. Regular readers of this blog will know (groan) that I am a great one for mooching about and indeed am one of that elite band of pedestrians who have walked the Capital Ring. Sometimes I set out on these expeditions alone but frequently I am accompanied by her indoors who likes to give directions and criticise the sandwiches. A couple of day back we girded our loins and set off on the Thames-Down Link, a 15 mile tramp from Kingston to the North Downs. A steady yomp through the suburban footpaths of Kingston, Old Malden and Chessington brought us out at Horton Country Park, Epsom Common, Ashstead and the gentle rise to the North Downs. We pretended to be legionaries as we marched along the Roman Road of Stanes Street before making the decent to the village of Mickleham and a well deserved pint in the Running Horse. And no, I didn't fall asleep on the bus home.