Gallery

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Stedham walk on 11th January 2023

The year has certainly got off to a wet start.  Pauline's walk was mostly on sandy terrain but that didn't mean we didn't have to do some puddle jumping. After meeting in Stedham at the Hamilton Arms we set off to cross the A272 to reach Stedham Commom where we joined the Serpent Trail for a short distance. We left the Serpent trail where it crosses a Roman Road - however, the lack of chariots meant we were quite oblivious to this piece of history. Fitzhall Heath and Plantation were followed by Fitzhall itself, which consists of 2 or 3 cottages in amongst some farmland. Shortly after we passed the remains of a giant sandpit, not visible at all but in any case we were busy navigating a long stretch of waterlogged path, fortunately bordered by some dense rhododendron with dry tunnels amongst the foliage. Our route then meandered through the Severals before crossing the A272 once again and then onto the Polo Field constructed by Kerry Packer. Through the village and we were once again at the Hamilton Arms where we enjoyed some very good Thai food.

Setting out

Stedham Common proved challenging in places

Luckily this wasn't the path

Some boots are made for walking, especially wellingtons!

Fitzhall Heath

Thank goodness, no water here.

Coffee stop, let's find some biscuits

A Rother contributory needed crossing

Splendid effort to get a good spot for a shot

But not a good spot for a swim

The Warren proved even more testing for those of a shorter stature

"What's going on down there?"

What is it?

Probably an Earthball and very poisonous!

Nothing poisonous in here - back in The Hamilton Arms

Nice carrot - far too nice to eat.

About 5 miles.

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Hawkley walk on 4th January 2023

Conditions were damp underfoot in places but the weather was good for Jay's amble around Hawkley. The walk started out heading roughly north to reach Standfast Lane and then on to the scattered houses of Empshott (in the fifteenth century it was ascertained by an inquisition taken in 1428 that Empshott was one of the Hampshire parishes in which there were not ten in-habitants holding houses Feud. Aids, ii, 342 - nothing much has changed since then!). The old church there, the Church of the Holy Rood dates from 12th century and has had many rebuilds ever since. It is unusual in having a leaded glass belltower and inside are two bells dating from 1627 and 1897. After having a drinks break in the churchyard we walked on to the Hangers Way in the shadow of Noah Hill before turning south to return to Hawkley village. An enjoyable lunch followed in the Hawkley Inn. The walk was just below 5.1/2 miles.

Starting out.

Maybe a little water still around?

This is very pleasant

Just a small river to navigate

Balancing does tone up muscles, or so they say.....

More balancing

Aha, a road at last

"I know what you're doing!"

Well worth a visit

Nice place for a rest

Even nicer inside - the leaning pillars are not just a trick of photography!

Magnificent bell tower, volunteer window cleaners always welcome..

"Now, please all smile at the camera"

"Pssst - any good tips for the 3.30 at Epsom?"

Everyone loves a well behaved Shetland pony

Even in winter, blossoms are happening

Hawkley Church with an unusual  Rhenish helm spire, more common on the continent.

Moose looking down on hungry walkers

Food now on the way!

About 5.1/4 miles

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West Lavington Walk on 21st December 2022

This was the last walk for the year and Pauline and Linda had a route planned. Isabel had organised the lunch in the Royal Oak marquee. Starting off the rain looked to be heading towards us from the Chichester direction so we were well prepared for a damp walk. We walked the Serpent trail up Dunford Hollow and past Dunford House and Walkers Farm before heading into Goldballs Plantation and The Roughs. Reaching the old Midhurst/Pulborough railway line, we found a good spot to stop for a snack. A sample of 40/40 alcohol went well with a variety of very special nibbles that appeared from various rucksacks and we celebrated the forthcoming holiday in style. We next entered Todham Rough to eventually reach West Lavington. After some road walking we turned up to go past the Kennels and then on towards the Wharf. A climb brought us onto the road in West Lavington and this was the last muddy path we saw as we then took the road back to The Royal Oak. The walkers  were joined by several other members of the club for a splendid Christmas lunch.

From this spot you can usually see the South Downs. Is that rain coming our way?

Well, maybe it will be a little damp

Welly boots can be really useful

But it wasn't always raining

Oh no! People in the woods - who's hiding over there?

Ah it's OK, they're with us.

Tramping down a gully

But at least there's no mud here.

It wasn't really as bad as it looks!

Time for a bite

and a wee drink

Break over, let's find a way to the pub

West Lavington, here we come

Bridge over untroubled water

No mud here

Cowdray House in the gloom

Bridge over the Midhurst to Pulborough railway line 

Ah, back in the Pub

Happy Christmas!

About 5.2 miles.

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Midhurst walk on 14th December 2022

Winter has at last arrived with frost everywhere and parts of the country covered in snow. This wasn't the case for us, but the temperature was around freezing all morning. Bernard led us from the Grange Centre in Midhurst up the Jubilee Path, on the New Road before finally turning off towards Midhurst Common, with the old Midhurst to Chichester railway sheds to our left.  Passing under Sunset Hill, we briefly took the Serpent trail before crossing the A272 and taking the New Lipchis Way past Woolbeding House and the beautifully tended gardens. The walk follows the River Rother as far as the mill pond where we turned towards Midhurst town to find the Causeway leading to the ruins of Cowdray House. Building started from 1520 and the work was largely completed by about 1530.   Famous visitors to this grand house were Henry VIII, Edward VI and Elizabeth I, amongst others. A fire in 1793 left the house the ruin we see today, although the decay has been controlled by restoration work in both the 20th and 21st centuries. We walked further along the Rother as far as The Wharf  before heading back to the Grange car park. A good lunch was enjoyed in Red H, the restaurant now occupying the site of the old Three Horseshoes public house.

"Now, be very careful, there's some ice here"

"and be careful of hiding photographers"

Midhurst Common, on the Serpent Trail

Approaching Whiphill Wood, on the River Walk also known as the New Lipchis Way

Autumn colours still in Whiphill Wood

Woolbeding  Glasshouse 21st Century, All Hallows 7th Century, probably then made of timber and thatch.

Cattle not especially interested in the folly on the hill

Walking through the valley described by Disraeli as "the greenest valley with the prettiest river in the world"

"and I'm the prettiest cow in the world"

"Fancy a Swift One" is the name given to some National Trust walks throughout the country

The sun was trying hard to melt the frost

Photographer setting up

Result!

Robin wasn't impressed

Mill pond and weirs on the Midhurst/Easebourne border.

The Causeway to Cowdray House ruins

Oh no, more ice!

Walk over, warm at last!

Thinks he's the cats whiskers

Cat Stevens?

About 4.1/2 miles.

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Chichester Walls walk on 7th December 2022

As winter made its first appearance, we thought Chichester deserved a visit.  Eastgate was the starting point of the ancient Roman road called Stane Street, which goes in an almost straight line to London Bridge, however we instead followed the East Wall of Noviomagus Reginorum. Noviomagus Reginorum was supposedly renamed by the Saxon invader Ælle,  after his son, Cissa. Priory Park is in the top north east corner of the city wall and has a very pleasant coffee stop, near to the Guildhall, built as a Franciscan chancel in 1283. Suitably refreshed we wandered along the north wall before turning south and entering the Bishops Palace gardens and on to the Cathedral. Some magnificent memorials and windows to admire, as well as seeing the memorial to William Huskisson, the first man to ever die from a railway accident, in this case, Stephenson's Rocket. Huskinsson lived in Eartham House, about 7 miles away, on the old Stane Street route. We then returned to the Gardens to take the high path back to the entrance, from there to continue our circumnavigation of the city wall. There is not so much evidence of the wall on the south side and after a look into St John's Chapel, we were back at the start.  Happily this coincided with our lunch stop in Carluccio's at East Gate, where we had an excellent lunch.

The Roman name for Chichester

Priory Park, East Wall

Priory park aviary, near our coffee stop.

No information on this ruin, but it makes a nice frame

Priory park, Franciscan chancel, now the Guildhall in the background

North Walls

Long story told here about the Hawkhurst gang, who left victims buried alive in Rake and Harting.

Seven were eventually captured in Chichester and six were hung in 1749.

At least another 70 were eventually hung or transported.

This memorial stone (Smugglers Stone) is just up the road towards Midhurst and records the burial spot of one gang member and the execution spot for another six.

The beautiful Bishops Palace Gardens

Giant Redwood

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Flowers still making the best of the weather

Chichester Cathedral, roof under repair.

Leaving the Gardens and heading for the Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral, founded in 681, rebuilt in 1199. Copper roof now being replaced with lead.

Home to a number of pieces of ancient and modern art.

Stained glass in the South transcept. There is a more famous window elsewhere by Marc Chagall

We later found St Johns Chapel in St Johns Street. Built as an overflow chapel in 1813 with congregations of 500 and 600 in Victorian times but closed in 1973. Organ now being repaired.

Now being used as an art and cultural events, maintained by The Churches Conservation Trust.

Carluccio's

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