4 December 2011 and Maurice Hickman kicks

off the winter programme with a walk from

Redhill and tea stop at the ever popular

"Fanny's Farm Shop".  Sheila Bravin took

the photographs below with her iphone

camera and kindly provided captions which

make the photographs more meaningful to

those of us who did not make it out on the day.

The ramblers set out from Redhill station with

Maurice and quickly got into rustic surroundings

Then very soon in winter woodland and some

bootlaces need adjusting

The Christmas holly was in evidence above as

were the fallen leaves below

Winter berries against a brighter sky

Some trees were showing bare winter branches

A carpet of leaves underfoot as the ramblers press on

Acknowledging the generosity of those who

contributed to the creation of the reserve

All wrapped up against the morning chill

A flock of birds form an interesting flying pattern in the sky

A little more rain and this would be the footpath!!

The lucky residents surrounded by countryside

Winter's beauty - but what is it?

A view of the waters used for fishing and sailing

- by licence

The rambler's friend - nettles. The sting is good

for arthritis so we are told

An interesting view of changing seasons

Woolly hats! and the horses' coats are thick for

winter too

This is not one of our ramblers but it was a perfect day for a jog

A local campaign to save the marshland

Good muddy ramble and a left turn indicated

The ramblers consider climbing the first stile of the walk

There is an art to manoeuvring oneself over a stile!!

And so to the trees - winter woodland

The lake is to the left and apparently an orchard cultivated to

the right

A view of a yacht on the lake

Even on this dull day the scenery is no less grand

More wintry scenes

Some road walking necessary

Crossing the park where teams compete at football (all controlled

by the FA)

A few keen parents supporting their team

Not too far to lunch now as the leader announces arrival at Merstham

Lunch was taken at the Feathers, not the original choice but

quicker service brought the ramblers back.

The Railway Arms had been the target lunch stop but with an

hour to wait for service....

Lunch over and the remblers meet up with the ancient way again

More shoelace adjustmants

St Katherine's Church Merstham

Another place to return to explore

And so uphill through a field of winter cabbage

The motorway never far away on this walk

Winter cabage dominates the panorama

A mystical object on the path

The fearless photographer stoops to investigate

A rest at the hilltop and time to say the Peace prayer  of St Francis

Time to ponder

Maurice patiently allows his group some respite

A child's lost toy clings to a branch

Fanny's Farm Shop, Markedge Lane, Upper Gatton

Maurice leads his group towards the shop

A great sense of humour is displayed by Fanny

Some witchery afoot behind the ramblers' backs

But of course the moon is only half today!!

Ready for Santa's Visit

Santa has nipped out

More of Fanny's fascinating garden

A tree house

Cyclists do visit and some have never left it seems

How not to end up in the flower pot this Christmas

Fanny explains the rudimentary nature of the lodge

Ramblers peruse the farm produce

A pianist completes the pleasant ambiance

Jam, marmalade, honey and all kinds of chutney abound

And then for the main purpose of the visit - the ramblers

indulge in refreshments

Lovely English tea and mince pies

Another rambler is slowly drawn to the tea area

The tables are busy with tea and cakes

Heavy rain on the golf course on the way back to Redhill

Donkey taking shelter from the rain under the shelter of a tree

The sun finally sets on another great Maurice ramble.