Horton Country Park

This to record a first visit to Horton Country Park for a while, the park which was once the hospital farm for the Epsom Hospital Cluster, a reminder of the far off days when long-stay patients in mental hospitals were allowed to do useful work. We thought a shady part, suitable for a hot day. Notwithstanding, we left fairly early getting there before 1000.

To find the car park fairly full, seemingly with fitness types. Some doing group exercises on the green, some doing runs around one of the various circuits available. Plus a number of young families on bicycles.

Shade

A shady stretch of path. Very pleasant. Various blackberry bushes along the way, berries mostly both small and unripe. We have in the past picked sloes, but no sign of them today. But no matter, we have long since decided that sloe gin is not worth the bother.

Fork

The fork in the trail. Little sign of chain saw action, which was nice. The place is clearly managed, but with a lighter touch than Epsom Common. And no horned cows anywhere where we are likely to walk; just a few horses safe behind their fences. On which subject see, for example, reference 1.

Despite the shade, we took the shorter route and branched right.

Camel

But we were rewarded nonetheless in that the unusual animal in the centre of this snap was a Bactrian camel, albeit rather small, so presumably a juvenile.

Reference 1: https://pumpkinstrokemarrow.blogspot.com/search?q=Principle+First+Secretary+of+Status+Quo.