Gallery

Easebourne, Woolbeding walk on 14th September 2022

A combination of illness and holidays depleted the numbers this week, resulting in six intrepid wanderers for the day. We started at the Cowdray Café car park in the drizzle up the track past the polo pitches towards the Cowdray Ruins, turning right to come out on the main road at the roundabout near the bridge over the River Rother weirs. We considered scrumping some apples and plums but thought we would get caught red handed, so restrained ourselves. The route took us along the River Rother on the New Lipchis Way through the wetlands with poplar and silver birch trees, woods and fields. We debated the merits of rose hip tea and jam at a suitable bush, but could not agree on the best use of the crop. At the boundary of the National Trust land for Woolbeding we clambered gracefully over the large branch that had split off an oak tree before heading up across the hill. We spent some time amusing ourselves to find the sight line between the folly at the edge of Whiphill Wood and the Tulip Folly on the lawn of Woolbeding House ,designed by Phillip Jebb, this classical temple folly is named after a tulip tree that fell in the winter storms of 1987. The drizzle had all but stopped walking through Whiphill Wood and down the hill with views of the meandering Rother and the new Woolbeding glasshouse with one leaf open. Crossing the Petersfield Road we sauntered into The Severals wood to pick up part of the Serpent Trail towards Midhurst Common where we climbed a small hill to have a coffee break on the seating overlooking the common. Fully refreshed we descended back to the Serpent Trail following it through Midhurst Common, past the rusted remains of a BMW that we wondered how it got there over 20 years ago so far from the road. On leaving the common, we took the South Pond path to the pond, crossed the footbridge and made our way to the Wheatsheaf for lunch. After lunch the remaining stalwarts returned to their vehicles along the carriageway to the ruins and the track beside the polo pitches. Many thanks to Bernard for stepping in at the last minute to do the walk this week.

Easebourne car park starting out

Nobody stole an apple, fortunately. As we know, they are forbidden!

I name this flower - raincoat!

Just checking the route

Shall we go for rose-hip tea or jam?

That broken tree looks a wee bit ominous

A fallen branch - small saw needed - or maybe a chain-saw.

Hurdles over, easy walking once again

Really? That's the sightline between the follies

Heading for the A272

"Thanks for letting me wade through the mud before opening the gate!"

Sun is out, time for a snack on Sunset Hill

Careful!

"Right, let's find The Wheatsheaf before it starts to rain again"

Lodsworth Walk 31st August 2022

The pre walk entertainment commenced with pretend windfall apple scrumping with the owner’s permission. We left the car park at The Holist, Lodsworth, headed up Gills Lane and School Lane before taking the footpaths off towards Redlands Farm. Jay was sorely tempted to live his childhood dream of driving a tractor. The route picked up The Serpent Trail heading east through fields, and Limekiln Rough woodlands. Some wild blackberry tasting started near Lodge Farm with regular grazing all the way to River. A herd of cattle watched us crossing a field, decided we looked unsavoury and walked off together to adjacent fields. Our welcome coffee break was at carefully placed tree trunk seating at the end of Westland’s Copse lane. A large oak tree caught our attention as we made our way to cross River Common. Dropping down to River Lane we picked up The Sussex Diamond Way to walk a short part towards Lodsworth of the 60 mile long route that was created by the Sussex Ramblers in 1995 to mark their 60th anniversary. The stream at the bottom of River Wood was crossed at Eel Bridge followed by the climb the hill to Oldpark Copse before returning to The Holist for lunch.

Hydon's Ball walk Monday 29th August 2022

A group of six walkers led by Catherine set out to achieve the 8 mile walk that was cancelled 10 days ago because of rain. Today the weather was perfect for us. We met early in Hydon's Ball Car Park, just south of Milford, before the car park filled up with Bank Holiday folk. First a 20 min short walk before we reached Winkworth Aboretum and decided a coffee was in order to discuss wasps and weirdly shaped 'Alien Acorns' that were falling around us. We walked on across the Aboretum and into the lanes where interesting old houses and horse sculptures kept the conversation going! A picnic lunch followed by the pond in Hascombe after which we peeped inside the church - much admired by the Daily Telegraph, so it appears! 'One of the thousand prettiest churches in England...' We walked some of the Greensand Way with beautiful views of the South Downs and then climbed the last hill of Hydon's Ball, bought in memory of Octavia Hill (by her sister and friend), one of the founders of the National Trust before a welcome downhill path to the car park.

Ready to walk!

So, what's over that gate?

Could well be this lovely house?

"I'd love a nice handful of grass"

"That's a lovely piece of grazing"

A very shy walker?

St Peter's, Hascombe

Rebuilt in 1862, with rich decoration in the style of the original 13thC church

The nave is surrounded by this painting of the miraculous fish catch made in the Sea of Galilee.

Tree house, rumoured to be the inspiration for a Chequers fantasy.

Just hope this isn't another fishy story from Galilee....

Elsted walk on 24th August 2022

After one Wednesday walk cancelled because of the extreme heat, the next one because of the extreme rain. we were at last on our feet, guided by Celia and Miguel around the Elsted village area. With plenty of animal life to see, conditions stayed good for the walk, although somewhat humid, so a return to the Three Horseshoes for re-hydration was much appreciated. The walk was about 4 miles and NO stiles!

Ready to walk

Heading for the South Downs

Nice field of cabbages

Aha - so that's how those cabbages get into the supermarket

Stylish trio?

Carefully does it

Nursery field for the cattle

Big time nursery for birds

Pheasants, hoping to make it past the 1st February 2023!

Looking sheepish

"Just checking my phone"

"Now, where did I put my other stick......?"

To move 40 sheep, all you need is a dog

Drink stop and a sit down

Mill House, getting closer to the pub!

Ah, that's better.

Long drink desperately needed!

Cockerel kept chasing the waitress

Thanks for the walk, leaders!

Woolbeding Garden visit 4th August 2022

Bernard and Celina had organized this outing to the Gardens we often walk by, but don't necessarily spend any time inside. After catching the NT mini bus transport from The Grange Car Park we spent several hours exploring these Gardens, open only on Thursdays and Fridays for the next two months before closing for the winter.

"the greenest valley with the prettiest river in the world" Benjamin Disraeli PM 1868 & 1874-80.