Distance covered: 13.2miles
Max height: 221m Min height: 38m
Total ascent: 558m Total descent: 676m
Well, what a difference in the weather. The forecast was for rain and more rain, and that’s about what we got – full waterproofs all day. Martin picked a damp day to join our group, and swell our number to nine. 
Starting at Newlands Corner, we were surprised by the number of other people at the car park, considering the inclement elements. We set off into the woods on the far side of the A25, but unfortunately after little more than a mile, Simon S was struck down with a migraine. We waited about 40 minutes before deciding to carry on minus one. We honestly did not expect to see him again until the end of the day.
The next few hours went by in a bit of a blur (or was that just water in our eyes?) – lots of wooded paths, occasional views to the south (heavily muted by low cloud), and quite a few World War II leftovers in the form of pill boxes and strange concrete tanks, the latter courtesy of the Canadian army, apparently. Around 1pm we had some really heavy rain for a while, but we were sheltered in the woods for most of the time and the weather was coming from the south west, so fortunately was not in our faces.
Reaching Ranmore, we had a soggy lunch at St Barnabas church (known as The Church on the North Downs Way). Most people sat in the church porch round the back, but Anne & I (plus Zuka) sheltered under the entrance arch by the road – which was most fortunate as Simon S suddenly appeared out of the gloom, migraine finally under control. He must have sprinted to catch us up as we had set a fairly stiff pace ourselves.
Group intact once more, we left the church and soon passed some young Duke of Edinburgh Award participants – one of several groups that day – and they all looked absolutely fed up with the rain. Shortly afterwards we reached Denbies vineyard (the largest in England), protected by deer fences. For pretty much as far as the eye could see the fields were full of vines and their accompanying support posts and wires, although today’s weather was not exactly going to help create a bumper crop. From the gravel lane passing through the estate we also got our first glimpse of Box Hill looming on the other side of the valley. Leaving the estate, the normally excellent way-marking briefly deserted the trail, but fortunately this had been rectified by some previous walkers (see photo).
After shunning the underpass, and risking life and limb crossing the A24, we entered Box Hill Country Park, and reached the River Mole with its charming stepping stone crossing. Due to the rain, the river was high and fast flowing, but fortunately no one fell in. Almost immediately the ascent of Box Hill began, with steps cut in to the path as it was so steep. Phew! Catching our breath at the viewing platform near the top, we looked south towards the named landmarks – but it was really not a good day for views. The visitor centre with its café was close by, but as it involved a bit more of a climb we decided not to bother - a cup of tea would have gone down a treat though.
Just when we thought the climbing was done, there was soon another stiff ascent, this time up a slippery chalk track, before reaching a little memorial to ‘Quick’, a racehorse that died in 1944. Descending again, the final part of the walk was through a quarry area and we emerged on the road just north of Betchworth Station, where we had left the cars earlier in the day.
Yes it was wet, but it wasn’t cold, and I think we were all glad we had done it.
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