pumpkinstrokemarrow

Through the fine new tunnel and dog leg back to Hindhead, no longer approachable from the north. Park up in the punchbowl caff and take a stroll to admire the view down the bowl to the north, which is all very spiffing. Rumblings and knockings drift through the warm morning air, rumblings and knockings from the crews ripping up the old A3. Notices explained that the old A3 will be obliterated, returned to nature, thus joining together two area of outstanding natural beauty, so long separated. Further notices explain that the natural beauty is not natural at all. Left to itself the land would revert to woodland, birch in the first instance, and the heathland would be no more. So National Trust in a bit of a bind and they appear to have settled for a bit of a compromise, clearing some of the land for heath but leaving the rest under trees. So we get fine views over the punchbowl heaths and still have woodland walks, walks which include some big pine trees, some exotic. And a fine line of pylons bringing heat and hot water up to London. Not a bad solution at all.

To the caff for lunch, the caff which used to be run by a proper caff keeper (a species known in some parts as kaffirs) and sold meat pies but which has now been colonised by the Trust and now sells second division Trust Grub. Out of respect for the proper caff keeper they still do fry ups, but not so much respect that they still do meat pies. I had something called a leek and potato pie which turned out to be one of those tubs heated up in a microwave containing some very hot (temperature not chilli) sauce made out of powdered cheese with various bits of potato and leek floating around in it. Eatable but I would have preferred a pie. Pukka perhaps.

All in all, while I stand by my former view that the thing is not a good use of public money, good has come out of it. Minutes have been clipped off the time required to get down to Pompey for the footer, and a site of outstanding natural beauty is now even more outstanding.

On the way home we opted for Guildford Cathedral rather than Godalming, which last had been my first thought. One point in its favour being a car park right outside. Not having been for a while, found it all quite impressive, inside and out. Not perfect, but not a bad shot for a new build church. The large nave very impressive when you first get into it, but not so good round the back of the altar and I did not think that the lady chapel worked very well at all. On the other hand, some good stained glass and a fine baptistery at the other end. Some interesting stone work amongst the bricks outside, including a memorial plaque (illustrated) which explained that most of the land under and around the cathedral had been bought and donated by an eminent & generous Canadian, Richard Bennett. A chap who started out in the Maritimes, in the far east of Canada, but wound up in the far west, in Calgary, the birth place of my mother. But cross that he had been rejected by the electors of Canada, emigrated to Surrey and was buried in Mickleham, not far from us in Epsom.

There were also a couple of odd green huts tucked up under the tower, one on each transcept roof. Presumably green because they were made of copper but not clear at all what they were doing there.

Comfortable refectory, bit more space and air than is usual in such places. Plus a bar. The advantages of new build and plenty of land.