Frensham Great Pond late afternoon

In Surrey today, old stamping grounds but a totally gloomy day and a lazy wind which doesn't go round but straight through you.

Frensham Great Pond on Frensham Common, part of the Surrey heathland covering almost 1,000 acres.

We used to come here over 30 years ago with our small son, swimming and paddling in summer, skating and skidding on the ice in winter. Many happy hours with our daft dog who absolutely loved the water, frozen or not. Today only part frozen with open water further out, there would be no walking on the ice for man or beast.

It's all managed now, with an info centre and café [rather greasy smell but obliging and friendly man in charge] and a dog walk - no dogs allowed on the beach which would have miffed our mutt no end.