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Midhurst Christmas Walk on 13th December 2023

This 3.5 mile walk preceded our Christmas lunch which was exceptionally well attended. Regrettably the combination of recent rain deluges, ensuing mud baths and the desire to retain some decorum in Christmas attire for the lunch, we were reduced to six walkers aspiring to work up an appetite for lunch. Crossing Oaklands Lane we headed up towards Pendean House, crossed Dunfold Hollow taking the footpath across the squelchy underfoot fields. After leaping stiles and the wooden footbridge over a stream that runs into Costers Brook, we arrived at Bex Lane. Heading towards Bex Mill and beyond we collected an assortment of discarded debris and marvelled at the mushrooms at the side of the road. Marsh Pond was the venue for our coffee stop, facilitated by a bench that the six of us could all sit on while refreshing drinks were imbibed. The difficulties of modern life were discussed as to the likely conversations with authorities one would be embroiled in should one have been unlucky enough to discover a babe in the bullrushes at the edge of the pond. We then took the footpaths towards Goldballs Plantation (which we surmised had little to do with David and Victoria Beckham)  where there were some deviations to avoid the deepest water and mud. On reaching the Serpentine Trail, we turned for home past Walkers Farm and a holly tree laden with berries, wading through fords (fiords?) and finding a spade on our way back to The Royal Oak. We met up with the rest of the Midhurst Walkers for our Christmas Lunch, with thanks to Pauline who organised it for us, and The Royal Oak who delivered it.

The intrepid six, ready to enjoy the sunshine

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Winchester walk on 6th December 2023

With the thought that we could spend some time in the Christmas Market, Winchester seemed a good place for a walk -  it had been the capital of England until 1066. After parking up in St Catherine's Park and Ride, we headed for St Catherine's Hill. It is a bit of a challenge so a few sensible people decided to pop into The Handlebar Cafe, have a coffee and meet the mountaineers on the south side of the Hill. As it happened the hill wasn't too bad, as long as we remembered to have a look at the view every 50 steps. The hill was the site of an Iron Age fort and also contains the buried ruins of a Norman chapel. On top of the hill is one of only two remaining historic English turf mazes where the path is a narrow groove in the turf. We also met a Hampshire Wildlife warden looking for the 8 British White Cows that freely roam the hilltop. The route back down was well maintained with planks and netting - a passer-by said there were 333 steps - luckily for us they were downwards! Having met up with the refreshed walkers, we carried on along the Itchen Way footpath until we found St Cross Bridge which took us across the extensive water meadows.  Turning north, we reached the St Cross Hospital and stopped for a drink. The building is not actually a hospital but was founded in 1136 for “thirteen poor men, feeble and so reduced in strength that they can scarcely or not all support themselves”. Luckily we managed to get away and carried on upstream, looking for a rumoured kingfisher. We were soon back in civilisation and after a quick look at the market, retired to the Wykeman Arms for lunch. The walk was around 4 miles.

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Heyshott walk on 29th November 2023

After gathering at The Unicorn we went inside to order our food. Jay and Lindsay then led us up the road past Berrywood Farm towards Heyshott Green where we stopped to pose for a photo. It was a little chilly but the sun tried its hardest to stay with us most of the morning. We encountered our first mud challenge just past Walkers Farm and another as we picked up the Serpent Trail route past the Goldballs Plantation. This took us to the old bridge over the route of the Midhurst to Pulborough railway. The line opened in 1866, was never very busy and closed to passenger traffic in 1955 and to goods traffic in 1966.

The route through Heyshott common proved challenging in parts but we ploughed on, keen to find some suitable logs to rest our legs and have a food and drink break. The logs were not ideal but sufficed for a few minutes. Refreshed, we reached New Road which gave some dry and secure walking which was good, apart from an occasional motorist. It also was a good viewing spot to observe 3 deer on Heyshott Common. They clearly thought if they stood very still, they would be invisible, but some of us could see through their attempted deception. After passing through the hamlet of Hoyle, we crossed our last stream-bed  of the day before picking up the New Lipchis Way to guide us back to The Unicorn for an excellent lunch.

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Harting Hill Long Walk on 17th November 2023

A small band of eight congregated at the Harting Hill car park for our 13 mile walk led by Jay and Lindsay. The weather was sunny, bucking the trend of cloud and rain on previous days. To warm us up we were led up Beacon Hill where we paused to get our breath back, then enjoying a downhill stretch to Hooksway past the Royal Oak which sadly was closed. Climbing up Phillis Wood through the woods, crossing Gutteridge Row down to the abandoned medieval village of Monkton. At this point two of our walkers peeled off as the remainder continued south east stopping to trim some bramble and settle a log to sit on for our coffee break. The banter flowed with lots of laughter scaring off any wildlife. At Staple Farm we turned north east through Westdean Woods where we used the sunny rustic log seating and table for our lunch. Continuing up the hill to the South Downs Way we turned west across the Downs, Winden Wood and Philliswood Down. We paused at the Devil’s Jumps before continuing on to Pen Hill where some of us slowed on the ascent including the detour up Beacon Hill with the final limp home to the car park. Celebration of our successful completion took place at The White Hart in South Harting where we sampled some blistering fried chillies before selecting more mundane and less fiery fodder.

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Shackleford Walk on 22nd November 2023

With a glorious sunrise for the early risers, things could only go downhill for the walk start. Tim and Jane's walk started from the Old Cyder House in Shackleford, but the pub car park had a chain across it, which made parking difficult. However we eventually found spots to squeeze into and we set off for the walk. Opposite the pub are the splendid grounds of Aldro School, for day pupils and boarders. It originated in Eastbourne in 1877 but moved to Shackleford in 1940, felt to be a safer spot at the time.  Crossing some fields we passed Lydling Farm before we had to tackle the water hazard. Fortunately not too bad on the day, we all managed to cross this River Wey tributary without getting wet feet. After a special exercise walking up steep steps and back down again, we found the right path to take us to the magnificent Rodsall Manor, purchased for £2M in 2000. Since then it has been the correspondence address for a number of Investment Companies and Banks.  From there we walked towards Cuttmill Ponds and stopped for a coffee stop in the woods, just before some houses. One of these had some beautiful ironwork gates, designed by the owner, who also is a world-renowned car designer. Cuttmill pond was just around the corner, with plenty of life both above and below the surface, including a solitary heron. From there we headed for the village of Gatwick (not that one....) and then into Mitchen Hall Woods to eventually get back for lunch at The Cyder House. Luckily there was no chain across the entrance this time. The walk was a bit less than 5 miles.

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