Gallery

Marley Heights on 22nd June 2022

With a bad back Jay was sadly unable to lead his walk so Catherine and Andy kindly took over at the last minute. We started from Fernhurst recreation ground, with a guest walker, Liza and a stray walker, John, who found our company more easily that his own Rambling group. The walk was initially all uphill but eventually rewarded by magnificent views across Fernhurst to Blackdown and further on over Petworth and on perhaps to the Cissbury Ring. Trees were in the way to look to the south. Thankfully that was the last of the climbing as we subsequently descended through Greenhill and Cognor Wood to eventually emerge on to the lane near the Augustinian Shuldbrede Priory. An ancestor of the current resident was composer Sir Hubert Parry. The priory water supply was from local springs, stored in the cellars and lifted by hand. In 1914 a Hydraulic Ram was fitted which by clever use of valves used that water power to automatically pump the water to a tank in the roof.

From there we walked through Oakreeds Wood and then through fields and paths until we eventually met Van Lane, our route back to The Red Lion, where many of us enjoyed a well deserved lunch. The walk was around 5 miles.

Pre walk exercises?

Setting off up the hill, with a stray!

Treading carefully down the steps behind Nappers Wood

Lovely view from Marley Heights

Drinks stop in the woods

Emerging from Greenhill Wood

Driveway to Shulbrede Priory

Group photo, normally easily organized.........

Buriton Long walk on 15th June 2022

The 9.35 mile walk started at South Harting recreation ground car park, skirting around the church heading across the field between broad beans and wheat crops up to West Harting, where we turned west across the fields to Mill Dam. Paul and Jay tested their apps to establish we were looking at a wispy asparagus crop. The coffee break was at the bank of the Mill pond, where a bee tried to partake in Paul’s snack, which he valiantly defended. At Nursted we turned south to Old Ditcham along a newly mown wide path before turning west again towards Buriton. Before reaching the end of Pircroft Lane we took The Milky Way, no stars to be seen but plenty of puddles and mud. At Buriton, Jay’s technical skills and ability to grab a phone signal, beat the collected knowledge of the walkers to identify a row of White Bean trees along Monks Way. Having made good time, a visit to St Mary’s Church was called for, its origins are Norman albeit significantly modified in Victorian times. It was the mother church for the whole Petersfield district until 1886 when Petersfield and Sheet became a separate parish. Buriton was on the old route between London and Portsmouth with The Five Bells providing sustenance and rest, which we took advantage of. The sizeable repast and rest stood us in good stead for the return to The Milky Way up to the South Downs Way that we tramped along back towards South Harting before descending through The Warren to return to the recreation ground.

South Harting car park, ready to go.

So what is this crop?

Aha, that's asparagus.

Bernard's impression of an owl hitting a window

Coffee stop by the Mill Pond. The bee hasn't yet stung!

What's that bzzzzzzzzzzing noise?

Anyone got a scythe in their backpack?

Built in the 12th C on the site of an earlier church, mentioned in the Domesday Book.

The East window is in memory of John Bonham Carter, Lord of the Manor.

Thought to be named after the Five Bells that once were in St Mary's church.

Whoever parked this in the pub car park has obviously missed the "last orders" call.

As the day got hotter, some felt the need to zip off a leg

Lunch well earned

Tree house for rent, includes climbing wall, shower, net and swing.

Every climb deserves a good view

And a field of flowers to round off a great day.

Emsworth Short Walk 15th June 2022

After strolling along Wayfarers Walk and admiring plenty of wildlife, Denis led us up into the centre of Emsworth where there was an excellent shaded area with plenty of seats suitable for an early coffee break. We then took a route past The Slipper Mill Pond, which only stopped being used for flour milling in the 1960's. Now it is a nature reserve with many animal species, including the large Grey Mullet we saw just below the surface. Next we took a network of paths and roads to get to Prinsted and to walk along the shoreline. With a few benches to spare and a view over the water, we felt it was an ideal spot for our picnic. Taking a different way back through the Marina we eventually found ourselves back at Slipper Mill Pond, The view was quite different along the Wayfarers Way shoreline as the tide was now rising quite quickly. A very pleasant walk of just over 5 miles.

Starting out and there is little water in the harbour

Plenty of birdlife - heron feeding and a little egret preening

Footpath on Emsworth quay

Swans in Emsworth harbour.

Swan obligingly showing her eggs back in 2014 (thanks Pauline)

Emsworth centre with many coffee seats available

Nice crochet work

Walking alongside Slipper Quay

Grey Mullet - not the easiest fish to catch but search reveals:- this fish is excellent eaten raw or slightly marinated in good quality vinegar.!

Prinsted cottage, with plough

Wild rose growing very well - must love sand and salt!

Strolling along just above the sea

Picnic time

What's that stickyup bit on a sundial called? We all know now - it's a gnomon.

Mare and foal near marina

Too hot to sail, so we left the boat on dry land

End of our walk and the harbour is now full of water.

A bit over 5 miles.

Easebourne/South Ambersham walk 8th June 2022

Isabels walk started out from the Easebourne car park and after crossing went alongside the golf course - fortunately with no errant balls! After passing over the bridges near Moor Farm it was time to walk alongside the River Rother, with lots of flowers and wildlife to distract everybody. The coffee stop was near Great Todham Farm before walkers took the route past the Kennels and then down into the Wharf and past St Anne's Hill. The final leg past Cowdray Ruins produced a little rain. Lunch wasn't possible at the White Horse so the walkers went to The Royal Oak for a very enjoyable lunch after their 5 miles wander.

Skirting the polo fields

Walking away from the Cowdray Ruins

One of Cowdrays magnificent trees

Water on tap!

I hope they're not looking for a lift?

Rother bridge

Beautiful Red Admiral, maybe a native but probably from mainland Europe or Africa.

Mushroom or a bird's egg?

Water meadow walking

Healthy fern growth doesn't make for easy walking!

"We're stopping for tea over there".

"That's better".

Small hungry bug.

Thundery clouds up there.

Happy walkers, on realising the rain has gone south.

Right, now for some knee bending exercises.

About 5 plus miles.

Hartley Mauditt Walk on 1st June 2022

Luckily we had sufficient spaces in the car park behind The Selborne Arms so we weren't forced to pay in the Museum/Cafe car park. After heading for the Zig Zag path we did not take that route and fortunately turned towards Alton, walking along beneath the Selborne Hanger. We then walked along a very narrow part of Gracious Street to reach acres full of broad/field beans. The smaller 'Field' seed planted in autumn/harvested in June is for animal fodder. The larger variety 'Broad Bean' is more commonly planted in Spring, for human consumption. Both varieties are good for adding Nitrogen to the soil! This crop is replacing oil seed rape which has suffered from bad weather and flea beetle attacks in previous years. After more fields of beans and a few potatoes we reached the site of the Medieval Site of Hartley Mauditt. A settlement existed for many centuries before a church was built in the 12th century and the manor was originally granted to William de Maldoit (Mauditt) by William the Conqueror. The original manor house was situated where the wood currently grows, immediately behind the church. Many centuries passed without undue drama, until the Roundheads came from Alton in 1643 and destroyed the manor house. A few years later it was rebuilt by the Stuart family in the field to the south of the church and subsequently occupied by Lord Stowell. Lord Stowell preferred town life, his wife preferred the country, so in 1798 in a fit of pique he had the manor house demolished. The villagers eventually moved away so hardly a trace of the village remains, apart from the church, although it is thought the Roundhouse on the B3006 may have been a gatehouse. After some refreshment we headed back towards Selborne (with a few diversions caused by fallen trees and new born lambs) for an enjoyable lunch in the Selborne Arms. The walk was about 5 miles.