Gallery

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Stansted Forest walk on 3rd September 2025

The pre walk had been in balmy warm weather and sunshine; the actual walk threatened 40 mile an hour winds and heavy rain.  Luckily, we only had the rain which started soon after leaving the car park beside The Avenue as we joined the multitude of dog walkers following Monarch’s Way down the wide vista of The Avenue that formed part of the landscaping of Stansted House.  A mile after clambering into our wet weather gear we entered the forest downhill to The Sling near Rowlands Castle where we turned north east to stay in West Sussex and remain in the forest.  This 480 hectare forest is a remnant of the most westerly part of the ancient Forest of Arundel.  We read the tragic story of Norwegian RAF Spitfire pilot, Flight Sergeant Sigurd Gerhardt who lost his life in a crash in the forest in 1942.  The planned coffee break was at a location with a wide bench carved from a tree trunk with a view across the forest.  However, the rain was so bad we elected to huddle under some tree cover for our break before leaving the forest, crossing a field and heading towards Forestside Farm where we crossed the road and walked through Batty's Park, Rosamond’s Hill and Forest Hanger which brought us to the driveway to Stansted House and back to the car park.  We adjourned to the Victoria Inn at West Marden for an excellent lunch.

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Graffham Walk on 27th August 2025

Isabel's walk started from the pub in Graffham, The Unicorn. After ordering our lunch choices we set off North and the New Lipchis Way ( well, it was brand New in 2008 but is not quite so New now!). The route took us through Goldballs Plantation, over the remains of the old Midhurst to Petworth railway line and into Todham Rough. Turning East we headed for Little London and Ambersham Common and after briefly walking some of the Serpent trail, we passed Hoyle Farm and headed for the tiny hamlet of Hoyle. After walking some of Hoyle Lane we turned West to pick up our earlier route, but this time in the other direction which, by great good fortune, led us back to the Pub! Our lunch was very enjoyable!

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Elsted walk on 20th August 2025

At last we had somewhat cooler weather this week for John's Elsted walk, starting out from the Three Horshoes pub in Elsted. After placing our food order, we set out across the Elsted cricket pitch, which must have one of the best views in the County.   We crossed a field of scattered straw and  then entered some less cultivated ground followed by a descent through a small wood. Back in the fields again and we eventually found a nice pond belonging to The Petersfield  and District Angling Club. Not being members and not having a rod between us, we carried on to Dumpford Lane and found a  suitable picnic spot for our drinks break. We left the Lane and took the track down towards Dumpford Park Farm, eventually climbing up towards a small man-made reservoir. Perhaps it was originally excavated for minerals, but is now struggling to contain enough water to irrigate the farm. After a field or two we suddenly came across a field of sunflowers, which was fortunate as it stopped us thinking the hill was a bit steep!  We then headed for the very busy Three Horseshoes where we were very well served after our 5 mile hike.

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Chawton Walk on 13th August 2025

Celina and Bernard’s 3.8 mile walk was at a gentle pace following some of the footsteps of Jane Austen and her family starting in Chawton, Hampshire.

Passing a duck themed thatched roof we turned down the drive to Chawton House, the 400-year-old Grade II* listed Elizabethan manor house that once belonged to Jane Austen's brother and its neighbour, St Nicholas' Church.  The church suffered a disastrous fire in 1871 which destroyed all but the chancel.  The rebuilt church was designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield and is now listed Grade II*.  The churchyard graves include that of Jane Austen's mother and sister, both called Cassandra 

The heat and sun held off although it was a bit muggy as we crossed the meadows and fields, enjoying the brief respites afforded by the woodland heading to Farringdon.  An early coffee stop in the Farringdon communal garden spurred on the gardeners amongst us. 

We turned west, over the main road, taking the footpath onto the disused Meon Valley Railway that was opened in 1903 and closed in 1968.  We walked under a bridge, across fields and copse, over the main road again to return to Chawton to enjoy a well earned lunch and refreshments at The Greyfriar.  A birthday cake miraculously appeared to celebrate a big birthday of one of our group with the pub staff helping to spring the surprise.

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Northchapel Walk on 6th August 2025

The holiday season depleted our numbers a little for Mark and Jo’s 5 mile excellent walk around Northchapel in brilliant sunshine starting at the Northchapel community centre.  Dodging the falling apples from the laden trees and supressing our Newtonian instincts we headed north across the fields to enter Frith Wood.  Mark offered us a short cut soon after we entered the wood, but nobody accepted.  The route stayed in the woods until we left it on the north east side into a field with a couple of areas of Pampas grass that felt out of place.  Crossing a dried stream, fields and New Copse towards Shillinglea Park we reached the West Sussex / Surrey border.  Not having the right documentation for a border crossing, we turned south passing Deer Tower and stopping for our coffee break at China Bridge on the inspirationally named lake called ‘The Lake’!  Entering Frith Wood again we stayed on the southern boundary, crossed Pipers Lane at Peacocks Farm.  Having made good time, Mark added an extra stroll into Wet Wood before returning to Northchapel.  Having removed walking gear we drove a short distance to The Mulberry Inn near Chiddingfold for lunch.

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