Now that it is fairly safe to leave the house without the following accessories; waterproofs, wellingtons, umbrella, dinghy, it is a pleasure to explore farther than the front gate. In Farnham it seems that wherever you are you are not a few metres away from a leafy footpath or bridle-path.
Sometimes, when the traffic gets a little bit too much, it is a relief to turn off the main road and follow a sign that leads you, sometimes only momentarily, into a short woodland path of tranquillity. On the various bridle-paths that snake around Farnham you do need to be ready to meet (over-friendly?) dogs, cyclists and joggers that may wish to share your route. If you don’t fancy going it alone then there are groups like the Farnham and District Ramblers (http://www.farnhamramblers.org.uk/footpaths.html) who not only take advantage of these lovely walkways but help to maintain them.
If, as you stroll, you prefer looking at buildings rather than hedges then there is a monthly guided walk around Farnham looking at some of its features past and present – one Sunday I will join this group and learn more about where I live, as they say, ‘if you want to know the way only ask a tourist, the natives live here and know nothing about the place ….’ To gen up on the town and its heritage while on foot have a look at http://www.farnham.gov.uk/visit/walk-explore/walking-in-farnham/ for details.
Right, the rain has stopped and I am off out, make way while the sun shines.
Eleanor Thomas aka KnitNell is a resident of Farnham. For more of her musings and illustrations do pop over to her regular blog at www.knitnell.com
