More stones

Having visited the establishment - the Stepping Stones of Westhumble - in the margins of a visit to a Christmas Grotto at Polesden Lacey more than two years ago, finally made it back a week or so ago. See references 1 and 2.

Greeted outside by a fine display of celandines in the verge opposite, snapped above, then into the car park where the large plague tent was in the process of being dismantled.

Greeted inside by quite possibly the same cheerful lady who greeted us last time, supported by a bevy of young men, not many days into the work. At least they appeared to need a fair amount of instruction and they were very young.

Fairly quiet on the Thursday lunchtime that we were there, but I dare say once the walking and cycling seasons get under way on the North Downs adjacent, the place will be busy enough. And maybe some of the walkers will think to take their boots off, as suggested by the sign at the door, rather than tramping their mud through.

Food entirely satisfactory. My sausages were good, even if the mash was a little tired and a touch on the yellow side. And they remembered to supply the sweet, rich gravy in a little jug. Good that most of these places now seem to understand about little jugs and are happy to supply them on demand. Something to thank Wetherspoon's for?

On the way home, BH was driving so I had the opportunity to do a bit of Wellingtonia spotting, snagging one candidate up a hill to our left, that is to say possibly on the stretch of the A24 where it cuts to the right south of Leatherhead to join up with the B2033. Aka the Leatherhead by-pass. Wellingtonia possibly in the grounds of the place called Downside, although, without a proper map, we failed to find a way in on the day. Just below the 'eat' of Leatherhead.

No sign of a Downside House, but all the talk of fir trees in this snap from Google's satellite view looks quite promising. To be investigated further on the spot.

PS 1: Downside is now located with the help of Bing, Google and gmaps satellite view. South west of the first satellite view. Perched above the Leatherhead by-pass. Known to the heritage people, but I have failed to find out anything much about the place; either what it was or what it is.

PS 2: with thanks to the Ordnance Survey for the use of their map, which remains a superior supplement to gmaps.

References

Reference 1: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2019/11/grotto.html.

Reference 2: http://steppingstonesdorking.co.uk/.