Day 6a - Sevenoaks to Oxted
The route (all links open in a new window)
Start point: Sevenoaks
Distance: 20 miles (22 miles with route alterations)
NOTE: Day 6 is Sevenoaks to Nutfield. Details for the whole day are shown above. If you decide to do this day in 2 parts, the Oxted break is described below.
I set out with gusto today! The sun was shining, the breeze was low, the bugs were at bay. I had left it a few days before attempting this day because I knew it would be a very long day. Having mapped the route I knew I could either do 2 short days or crash on and do one long day. In past adventures I would have accepted a 22 mile day without consideration but walking this 280 mile trip with breaks between the days means my fitness levels aren't what they could be so I needed to keep this in mind.
The first few miles were due to be along a road. It is always a bit hit and miss when plotting a route that incorporates a road. You never know how busy the road will be or whether there will be a path to walk on. As it turned out, the road I had mapped my route along was full of fast drivers and had no path to speak of. Self-preservation kicked in and I detoured into woodlands that the road was cutting through. This was a much nicer alternative and a great start to the day. The detour took me a few miles out of my way but I would honestly take that over a trip to hospital!
Forcing my way back to my predefined route I made my way along a quieter road to the small village of Ide Hill. Bunting was up and promises of a celebration were advertised on the village green. The Queen's Platinum Jubilee was being celebrated by the country and Ide Hill were doing their bit. I am an admirer of our Queen. I think anyone who 'bashes' the Queen forgets that this is a human being who has dedicated her entire life to a country. She has been in the spotlight her whole life through and the country has been able to turn to her through good times and bad. That is dedication and the celebrations that I was seeing made me very proud.
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| Ide Hill preparing for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee |
Although I wanted to stop and have a mooch around this little place, I could not. I knew time would be against me today so I moved on and straight into the rolling countryside that the Greensand Way was cutting across. I checked my drone app to see if it was safe to fly (it was) and grabbed a few aerial shots. As I was rushing I only really got a few seconds of footage. Lesson learnt - take time at the right time. I should have got some more decent footage here because it was grand scenery that needed to be shared.
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| The rolling hills near Ide Hill - this is why I love walking |
Looking at my map I knew I was about to climb the highest point of the days walk but that didn't lull me into a false sense of security. I also knew there were lots of downs and ups. Having said that, these are still quite flat lands in comparison to Cornwall or Scotland for example. I reached the 'summit' and popped out at Toys Hill which is seemingly very popular. As I walked along a track I noticed a new looking bird box attached to a tree with string. It looked to have a label hanging from it. Was this an advert? I investigated. It was a clue for a treasure hunt and the label was asking for the box to be left in situ for now. Some lucky kid has very thoughtful parents!
The route I had planned told me to leave Toys Hill and head into an adjacent valley only to come up the same valley side. Although we weren't talking 100's of feet I thought it would be a shame to depart Toys Hill with its plethora of paths and tracks just to walk along yet another busy winding road. I checked the OS maps and yes, there was a MUCH better direct route which stayed on the same geographical level as that which I was on. It is obviously good to treat the routes I share as guides only!
The populated paths of Toys Hill gave way to quieter trails through woodland. As I was about to climb upwards once again I rounded a corner to find a table of people. It was like tripping over Alice's tea party. The family/friends at this gathering were enjoying tea in the woodland. It was a very quaint idyllic image which I unfortunately didn't capture. My bashfulness got the better of me which is a shame since that would have made for an interesting image!
Walking deeper into the woodlands I came across a house. This is a running theme to find dwellings in secluded locations. Maybe we all seek solitude in some way. I think it is a healthy thing to do - spend time with oneself. Thinking seems to be the thing our modern world is robbing us of. The quick-quick-look-at-this-next-next culture is a worry. There is great value in stopping to smell the flowers.
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| "Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the moment last" |
I popped out of the woodlands into what I thought was tiny hamlet but it turned out to be the outskirts of Oxted. Temptation in the form of The Carpenters Arms was lurking but I resisted. However, if you were going to do this walk, you could easily treat yourself to a spot of lunch here and then make your way the final few miles to Hurst Green station. For me I will carry on but for this blog day it was the end of the trail. It was a day of reroutes, patriotism, and yet more stunning views. 2022 is shaping up to have 'good memories' embossed on it. See the accompanying video for Day 6b for a visual of the Oxted (Hurst Green) break.
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