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Duncton Walk on 16th October 2024

After meeting in the car park halfway up Duncton Hill, Jennifer successfully led us on a walk through Teaglaze, Waltham Down and Crown Teaglaze. The path was initially a challenge as fallen trees had blocked the footpath, but a diversion had been created by previous walkers so we were soon back on track. We then emerged into fields with great views north over Woolavington Down. At one point the map said we were crossing a Cross Dyke. There was no evidence of anything at all but evidentally many of these Bronze age earthworks have been destroyed by modern agriculture. We eventually turned south through the woods of Teaglaze and found a very long fallen tree which just managed to support the weight of  8 walkers but made creaking noises, so we didn't test it any further. Refreshed, we continued, made a sharp left hand turn and headed through woods and fields back towards the cars. At one point tumulii were on either side of our route, more evidence of ancient burials thousand of years before Stonehenge was even erected. We eventually reached the safety of our cars, having remained dry for the morning. A short drive took us to The Badger for a great lunch. The walk was about 5 miles.

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Chalton Walk on 9th October 2024

From the Red Lion car park in Chalton, Jay led us on a walk through to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Taking the Staunton Way path we found our way through Chalton Park and eventually reached the Queen Elizabeth Forest.  After skirting the edge of the forest we turned up hill to eventually reach the site of a Roman Villa. Little remains today but it would originally have been an ideal spot for watching shipping in Chichester Harbour. Continuing on the Shipwrights Way we found our drink stop, upturned logs being available to most of us.

Refreshed we soon turned south and eventually found the Staunton Way once again. The more straighforward way was to return via the road but a diversion near to Newbarn Cottage avoided the traffic and took us through an area of large beech trees below Head Down Hanger where the strong sunlight trying to penetrate the canopy was a remarkable sight. We still had to do a road stretch before finding a path up to Chalton Peak and then on to the Red Lion where we were rewarded for our efforts with a great lunch. The walk was about 6 miles.

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Walderton Skittles walk on 2nd October 2024

Denis arranged the skittles and led the 3.75 mile short walk to get back to The Barley Mow pub in time to have lunch, and play skittles before the pub closed in the afternoon. 

We walked up the main road to where the River Ems crossed the road, headed up Cooks Lane to pick up Monarch’s Way.  Although overcast, it was dry to allow us to enjoy the views of Walderton Down as we crossed the fields in a meandering route as the path across the field which had been ploughed.  We regrouped before entering the Inholmes Wood leaving the Monarch’s Way.  The route took us down one side of the valley and up the other surrounded by wild garlic in Woodbarn.  Leaving the woods we stopped at the table and seats beside the path with sea views to have our coffee break.  Continuing west, we walked past Watergate, crossed the road and were pleased we turned south rather than climb Watergate Hanger.  Recrossing the road we entered Watergate Park and got back to the path down to Cooks Lane and back to the pub. 

A huge thank you to The Barley Mow for allowing us to play skittles on their alley, and providing a lovely buffet.  The skittles event was won by Stuart on a coin toss having tied as top skittle demolisher with Tim.

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Tillington walk on 25th September 2024

Jay and Lindsay's 4.5 mile walk started at The Horse Guards Inn at Tillington with a gentle climb on Upperton Road, past the recreation ground through Upperton and on to Upperton Common when we took the footpath, still on the Serpent Trail.  The slow decent taking care not to slip we enjoyed the woods with the ground being firm despite all the recent rain.  On reaching the end of Westland’s Copse Lane, we left the Serpent Trail, staying on the footpaths and headed towards River Common where we skirted around Roundabouts Farm.  Two fallen tree trunks provided seating for our coffee break plus birthday chocolates.  We turned left on River Lane where we turned left again up the hill on the Sussex Diamond Way which we followed with excellent views to PitsHill walking past the ornament lake down to the road. We turned left and headed across the vineyards, a field and on reaching the Mitford Family churchyard gate we followed the road back to The Horse Guards where we enjoyed an excellent lunch finished off with a miniature goblet making competition.

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Hooksway walk on 18th September 2024

Our stalwart band of 16 walkers set out on a glorious sunny day, with a hint of Autumn in the air on a varied scenic walk in the beautiful countryside surrounding this old pub. Starting out from the pub we walked a little way up the hill before turning into Stubbs Copse and eventully reaching Brooms Farm driveway. From there we walked along the road to Yew Tree Cottage and then on footpaths once again to reach Philliswood Down. Beside the path is the memorial to a German pilot (Hauptmann J Oestermann) whose plane exploded after attacking Farnborough and Odiham airfields. It was his first ever war flight and he was shot down by RAF Pilot Officer Mayers who was himself shot down into the channel later that day, injured but fortunately survived.   After walking through Philliswood Down we returned to the pub for well earned drinks and lunch, where our group took over the pub’s cosy dining room.

We believe it’s safe to say that a good time was had by all!

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