A Midsummer’s Day in the Surrey Hills.
Midsummer’s Day in the Surrey Hills.
The Surrey Hills.
It’s Midsummer’s Day in the Surrey Hills. Not that Bobby would know. Listening to Robert Elms on Radio London, we will be lucky to see him vertical by lunchtime.
Bobby: “I ‘erd that. That’s it. Bleeding cheek. The sun is out and we are heading for the hills to write a story about Midsummer’s Day in Paradise”
And so we did. Parking at Denbies Hillside National Trust (NT) car park and noting that many locals insist on calling it “Ranmore Common”… (Bobby does, too!).
In his NT volunteer mode, it is officially Denbies Hillside and nothing to do with the vineyard.
Sunshine following lots of rain is a wonderful combination. The countryside bursts into lush vegetation. The greenest green you can ever imagine. The wild grasses waft in the breeze and its close to heaven up here looking down on the Weald. Across to Leith Hill and the South Downs beyond.
Looking south across the Weald. Small gap, two thirds to the right, is Leith Hill. You can see the Tower. The hill heading down to the middle of the picture is Redlands. At the foot lies South Holmwood and Laurel Cottage. Far beyond is the South Downs, towards Chanctonbury Ring.
Closer than you think to heaven, for here is a bench Bobby has never noticed before. Dedicated to John and Diana Hargreaves, who once lived next to us in Dorking. He the retired Canon of Sevenoaks. Living next to the Ball family. It inevitably became “Canon and Ball”. It’s many years since they passed and we were pleased to see them remembered in such a beautiful place, together with the inscription from Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. Sung here by Maddy Prior. (Diddley loved her).
Looking south west.
The Pilgrim’s Progress.
Old friends… John and Diana.
Heading west.
The classic view of Denbies Hillside. Below is Landbarn Farm, the local HQ of the NT. You can just see the road leading to it. Right through the middle runs the railway line to Guildford. Once described by Michael Portillo as one of the most beautiful lines in Britain.
Heavenly view south west towards Hindhead and Blackdown.
Looking south towards Leith Hill and the Greensand
Wild Rose.
Wild Rose
Sometimes hidden from me
in daily custom and in trust,
so that I live by you unaware
as by the beating of my heart,
Suddenly you flare in my sight,
a wild rose looming at the edge
of thicket, grace and light
where yesterday was only shade,
and once again I am blessed, choosing
again what I chose before.Wendell Berry
Pyramidal Orchid.
The wild grasses and the North Downs Railway Line. The Flying Scotsman roared through here in June.
The Butterfly Downs.
A Marbled White.
Thyme.
Wild Rose.
Heading north, back to the car park.
Abinger Roughs.
On the way back, we stopped at our other favourite place and view. “Diddleys View” at Abinger Roughs. Where we sat down to write this little story.
Diddley’s View, Abinger Roughs.
Simple pleasures. A book to read. The Ladies’ World Cup later. Bangers and Mash in between. Posh sausages, Paul Rankin, from Waitrose. No work. No hoovering. No cares for a while. Just a little serenity at Diddley’s View on Midsummer’s Day.
Finding serenity at Diddley’s View on Midsummer’s Day.
Lighting a Candle for Diddley.
The first Sweet Peas were always given to Diddley. The first ones have stronger, longer stems and seem to have more intense perfume… or is it just the joy of one of nature’s most gloriously
floriferous perfumes back for a few weeks.
– – – – –
It was so lovely to stop and share a few words with you on Sat 29th as you and bertie took shelter from the midday sun. He truly is a very kind bear….
Thank you what a lovely day that was
There is so much beauty in the countryside around Dorking that one can never tire of the stunning views all year round.
There are loads of butterflies on Denbies hillside.