Date: January 1982
Participants: Graham Beevor, Peter Cox, Malcolm Duff, Alan (Curly) Durrant,
Graham Hicks, Howard Hillier-Daines, David Kennett, Malcolm Rush,
John Schmitt and Geoff Wright.
We had decided that it was time to once again return to Kent and had been looking at an area close to Ashford. As it turned out Malcolm Rush’s aunt lived there and she agreed that we could camp in the field attached to her home. What a change to know exactly where we were to spend our first night and that there would be no problem in getting water.
There were some changes to personnel, but once again ten in total. Clinton Hudgell and Phil Knowles could not make it but Malcolm R was back along with John Schmitt, a first timer and another member of the 22nd Finchley.
What we had not planned for though was the debate that took place the following morning. With the tents pitched in what was a secure location someone suggested that we left them there and did a circular hike during the day. The voting was even but eventually Howard was convinced to withdraw his abstention and side with the traditionalists, who wanted to pack up and find somewhere new that evening.
Having lost quite a bit of time we finally set off in a south westerly direction, heading for Brabourne Lees.
This was not far away and it was not too long before we were stood outside The Woolpack Inn, 
in the pouring rain eating our lunch, before going inside for something to wash the food down.
It was not long though before we were back on the road and then crossing fields, climbing over stiles and stopping occasionally for a break, before briefly joining part of the North Downs Way, on our way north towards Hastingleigh.
By now the rain had eased and finding a campsite was our next priority. Luckily though, shortly after arriving in the village we were directed to a field where we were told that it would be OK to spend the night.
By this time it was dark, so we wasted no time in putting up the tents, cooking our curry & rice and then getting down to the local to enjoy the warmth and a couple of pints.
We emerged from the tents on the Sunday morning to 
find a heavy mist and the locals enjoying a game of football – we had, without realising it, camped close to the touchline and were occupying front row seats. Malcolm R cooked breakfast, which was served to Malcolm D and Geoff in bed.
Knowing that we had scheduled our lunchtime stop for only a mile away, they had decided that they did not want to be rushed into getting up. In fact it was quite amazing that they still had a tent to stay in, especially after a few pegs had been removed, in an attempt to encourage them to get up.
They did of course eventually crawl out and join everyone else. This was the signal to stop watching the football match and start the clearing up process.
The tents came down and everything was loaded into our rucksacks.
The site was cleared and we made our way back to the road. Graham B and Malcolm R checked the map whilst everyone else stood around waiting.
We finally set off east and after a short distance rejoined the North Downs Way that linked the road out of Hastingleigh with the road that led into Brook.
A mile later we had arrived in Brook and were stood outside The Honest Miller PH. A sight that Malcolm D and Geoff had enjoyed before, having passed this way on one of the 22nd Finchley Christmas hikes.
During the lunch break and the customary game of darts an unfortunate incident occurred – John was accidentally knocked and his glasses fell off. With no carpet one of the lenses smashed as they hit the floor. They could not be repaired and without a spare pair he had to cope with one eye for the remainder of our trip.
The hike was concluded with a stroll down the road, leading all the way to the van. In all we had probably only covered 9 or 10 miles – not very impressive, but we had once again had an enjoyable weekend.
‘Jennifer’ had again served us well, even coping with the extra passenger on the return journey - Malcolm’s cousin Dane had asked for a lift back to London.