Hi Everyone
I’ve been feeling guilty about not sending out a Chair’s Chatter, although equally am conscious of not just doing one for the sake of it – trying to wait until I have something useful and/or of interest to say… So, let’s see if I can fulfil that brief! Last weekend we had the double (slight strange) bank holiday Thursday & Friday leading into the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. I’m sure lots of you attended street parties etc. in your home town/village & some of you may have ventured into London for the concert/parade/changing of the guard etc. Fortunately the weather was, mostly kind.

Surrey Summer Celebration
The Surrey Ramblers are having a “Summer Celebration” on Saturday 9 th July at Oxshott Village Centre. There will be a number of walks on the day, some circular, from Oxshott & others linear from railway station(s). These walks will all be published on the Surrey Ramblers website in the normal way. There may be a requirement to say you’re going, so that catering can be adjusted to account for numbers expected.
Keep an eye on the Surrey Ramblers website for details (https://www.surreyramblers.org.uk/walks/surrey-area-programme.html) ;

Visorando Walk-Planner
I have been approached by Philip Ross of Visorando asking if I could take a look at their route planner. I’ve had a bit of a look, but haven’t been able to properly “test drive” it as I’m still not walking, however, on first inspection it looks good. I was using ViewRanger (VR), until it was turned off in February, when my account switched to OutdoorActive (OA) (again, I haven’t really used this either). What I have seen of OA is Ok, but I much preferred VR. The Visorando walk planner is fairly similar to OA/VR, All Trails etc, but has a major advantage, in that it’s FREE! You can create routes, import/export gpx files, track your walk etc. So, on the face of it, marvellous! I will certainly be giving it a go once I get walking again. If you want to have a look, go to https://www.visorando.co.uk/walk-planner.html. You have to create an account (free) to be able to test it. There’s apps for Android & Apple too. I’d be interested to hear what those of you who give it a go think of it.

Cream Tea
In a couple of weeks (June 26 th) we have the ESW Cream Tea, 3pm at St Andrew’s Hall, Limpsfield Chart. There are 2 walks prior to the tea, a 9.5 mile one led by Tony, starting at 9.45am & a 4 miler led by Judy starting at 12.30pm. Full details on the ESW website https://www.eastsurreywalkers.org.uk/ Cost is £5 per person, payable on the door. I look forward to seeing you there.

Summer Buffet
We then have the ESW Summer Buffet on 21st August – full details to follow via Notice Board/website nearer the time. On a personal note, I’m now 12 weeks post surgery & able to walk without crutches. To date, my maximum step count in a day is about 3600, but that feels like a major achievement! This is mostly around the house & garden (& supermarket) but I did take a short walk up the road the other day… However, I am still spending a lot of time sitting with my foot up & using ice packs regularly. Talking of which, it’s time to do just that Happy walking. Hope to see you at the cream tea.

Kind Regards
Deb Skinner Chair East Surrey Walkers