 That's London That is... (The Grey Bit) | During my last visit to my mum in Chessington I slayed a few demons by muddily splashing through my first real off road run (e.g. not a canal tow path) along the same route as my torturous school cross-country P.E. classes that I had conducted grudgingly at a reluctant walking pace in the early 90's. Following the satisfaction of burying a few footprint shaped nails into the coffin of that particular piece of personal history, I had been looking forward to striking back out into the greenbelt of my childhood to refamiliarise myself with the landscape from this new and energising perspective. As such, waking up to another post-storm morning of cloud and drizzle didn't deter me, though I can't pretend it was the most inspiring of starts! |
Winey Hill Dew Pond Now, I am well aware that many people reading this post will automatically associate the pronoun 'Chessington' with 'World of Adventures', however I should like to clearly publicise the fact that it is in fact a place in it's own right, greenly nestling down the back of Greater London, in the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames and just on the Surrey border. The theme park has a history of it's own of course, developed from Chessington Zoo and built on the Burnt Stub Manor, but that is as much of a mention as it'll get here. Having grown up with it and opposite the closest train station, it serves only as a source of minor irritation and the best adventures I ever had in Chessington had nothing to do with a glorified playground-cum-animal prison. Grrrr.
Anyway, this run took me out round Chessington Golf Driving Range and up Chalky Lane to cross the Leatherhead Road and turn left at Malden Rushett. At this point I recalled how pedestrian un-friendly more rural places can be and the sudden lack of pavement sure as heck made me run faster, even if it didn't quite provoke an episode of jogger's trots! Having avoided ending up the same way as many an unfortunate hedgehog (a crunchy wet squeak), it was with some relief that I finally turned right into Sixty Acre Wood. Though safe from traffic, Here I encountered a new hazard; razor sharp brambles. Heavy with rain, these hung wetly over the paths and frequently made their presence known in shin-slicing 'encouragement'. That was annoying enough but getting one across the neck and cheek really pissed me off. So much for path maintenance! The other side effect of the rain was of course The Mud. Churned into such a slimy mess by local horse riders, I was forced in places to resign myself to a walk in order to avoid slipping and the genuine risk of injury! Slowed to a 10 minute pace for these miles, it seemed an age until I reached the edge of the wood and (what I though was) the bottom of the field that meets the back slope of Winey Hill. So much for that bit of navigation. Once again I was fooled by the difference between perceived distance when running as opposed to that when walking and it transpired that I had somewhat overshot my target. I think by now I was well out of Sixty Acre Wood and out past Holroyds Plantation but I'm still not totally sure. I do know I then accidentally went on a little jaunt across some private land but no one seemed to notice. The ground in these fields had also been pock-marked by horses but here it had dried hard before becoming overgrown with fresh grass rendering it near impossible to run on without being in serious ankle-twist jeopardy. 'Great conditioning work' I consoled my self as I gingerly picked my way back back to a familiar path.
Anyway, this run took me out round Chessington Golf Driving Range and up Chalky Lane to cross the Leatherhead Road and turn left at Malden Rushett. At this point I recalled how pedestrian un-friendly more rural places can be and the sudden lack of pavement sure as heck made me run faster, even if it didn't quite provoke an episode of jogger's trots! Having avoided ending up the same way as many an unfortunate hedgehog (a crunchy wet squeak), it was with some relief that I finally turned right into Sixty Acre Wood. Though safe from traffic, Here I encountered a new hazard; razor sharp brambles. Heavy with rain, these hung wetly over the paths and frequently made their presence known in shin-slicing 'encouragement'. That was annoying enough but getting one across the neck and cheek really pissed me off. So much for path maintenance! The other side effect of the rain was of course The Mud. Churned into such a slimy mess by local horse riders, I was forced in places to resign myself to a walk in order to avoid slipping and the genuine risk of injury! Slowed to a 10 minute pace for these miles, it seemed an age until I reached the edge of the wood and (what I though was) the bottom of the field that meets the back slope of Winey Hill. So much for that bit of navigation. Once again I was fooled by the difference between perceived distance when running as opposed to that when walking and it transpired that I had somewhat overshot my target. I think by now I was well out of Sixty Acre Wood and out past Holroyds Plantation but I'm still not totally sure. I do know I then accidentally went on a little jaunt across some private land but no one seemed to notice. The ground in these fields had also been pock-marked by horses but here it had dried hard before becoming overgrown with fresh grass rendering it near impossible to run on without being in serious ankle-twist jeopardy. 'Great conditioning work' I consoled my self as I gingerly picked my way back back to a familiar path.
| This welcome trail finally led me to Winey Hill, a favourite childhood playground and the scene of one or two less innocent youthful indiscretions! From here (75ft if I recall correctly), the highest point in the borough, you can see to central London and it was a very dramatic place to be on New Year's Eve 2000. I don't think I've ever seen so many fireworks in one go, nor do I suppose I shall again! There is a dial atop the hill giving distances to various landmarks that I tried to photograph (along with my muddy feet!) It's always difficult to see the screen when in bright daylight and it seems somehow illustrative of the entire run that it wasn't until I got back that I discovered the bag I'd been protecting my 'phone from the rain in had blown across the lens. Hence it's publication! |  Failed Trail Shoe Selfie! |
Though I enjoyed some elements of the run, I was glad to be back on the road finally, heading towards breakfast and able to get up a decent (7.5 minute) pace for the last mile. Generally a good run, if a bit slow, wet and muddy though I think my shins might disagree for a few days!
