Gallery

Hill Brow Walk on 2nd March 2022

This walk was Janet's walk with a few detours to go around fallen trees from the recent storms. From the car park of The Jolly Drover, we headed south-east to reach Durford Wood, which initially seemed unharmed by the recent gales. However as we walked down towards Durleighmarsh we did notice more damage and had to either duck under trees or take a diversion. Turning east towards Tipsall we kept an eye out for any aircraft using the airstrip, but we were disappointed. From there we carried on into Rogate Common before heading back to our excellent lunch stop in the Jolly Drover. A lovely walk of about 4.3/4 miles and the occasional misty rain did nothing to spoil our ramble.

Gathering for a walk

Descending down into Durford Wood

Couple of pixies spotted in the woods

Leader checking the accommodation

Recent storm damage

Mind your head!

Ah, that was easy

We managed to walk around this one

Another damp moment to be enjoyed/endured

Rain's stopped, but it's now uphill!

Staff photographer must have shinned up a chestnut tree for this photo

Time for a drinks stop.

Ah, that's better.

Group photo

Eucalyptus trees in the woods

Shelter at last

and a warm fire

Food is on its way

About 4.3/4 miles.

Kingley Vale walk on 23rd February 2022

After collecting together in the car park in West Stoke, Bernard led us north to Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve, famed for containing one of Europe's most impressive yew forests with some trees amongst the oldest living organisms in the country. When we reached the Nature Reserve we headed uphill and eventually reached the top. It was a fine morning with views of the sea and with Chichester Cathedral in the distance. Closer to hand were some very large Late Neolithic/ Early Bronze Age burial mounds called the Devil's Humps - the area also has a number of ancient cross dykes, although we failed to spot them. After a drink stop we returned down to our entry point to Kingley Vale and elected to make a detour to see the oldest yews in the forest. These mighty trees are probably over 2,000 years old, some showing signs of shrapnel damage from WW2 when the area was used as a firing range. After some searching we did find the tree known as the Grandfather Tree, with its spreading and drooping branches giving birth to a collection of directly related trees. A very interesting walk in good conditions, with rain only coming when we were on the way to the pub, the Fox and Hounds in Funtingdon, where we were very well looked after.

Mustering in West Stoke car park

Sitting in the sun, hoping not to be disturbed

After a few minutes climbing uphill, some people needed to disrobe

Great views from the top of the hill

Nicer views from the top of the Devil's Humps

Top of Bow Hill

Dog in a hurry?

Just in case you were misled into thinking this was the Tansley Stone, it isn't. The Tansley Stone is about 300 yards SE.

Hon. Leaders.

Drinks time

Views all round

Trig point spotters celebrated once again.

After all the up, there's usually a down!

"Now we've reached the bottom, shall we go and find some trees?"

Aha at last - the grandfather tree.

Fox and Hounds, Funtingdon

Just under 5 miles

East Meon Strollers walk on 16th February 2022

The East Meon walk led by Jane and Mary was in weak sunshine and luckily finished before any rain came. There was some mud, but only enough to provide a challenge and not to cause any wet feet and, fortunately, no stiles. Starting out from the village car park the walk headed for Duncoombe Wood and the lower slopes of Small Down. After finding a convenient wall at Parsonage Farm, we decided it was time for a drink before walking on past Fishpond Cottages (now seems to be a single dwelling called Fishponds). The path beyond the fishpond has been limited to only pedestrian traffic until June to stop wheels and hooves doing further damage to the track, which was a little muddy. Further on the same restrictions applied to Cumber's Lane and some stretching and clambering was needed to keep feet dry. Once we reached Pidham Lane we turned west and headed through Greenway Copse, to eventually skirt Frogmore and reach East Meon once again. We then headed for The Olde George Inn to meet up with some resting friends and enjoy some delicious food, expertly served! A nice flat walk of around 4.1/4 miles

Ready to walk

Heading for Duncoombe Wood

Some people just can't wait

Gates are always better than stiles!

Drinks break

Must be David Cameron's place

Beautifully clear streams of the Meon Valley

"Now, where shall we go from here?"

Fishpond Cottages

With their own fishpond.

"Can we get through?"

"Yes I think we can"

"Yes, not too difficult"

Last bit of mud

East Meon

All Saint's Church

Lunch at last.

About 4.1/4 miles.

Blackdown walk on 16th February 2022

From Tennyson's Lane, Bernard and Celina had thoroughly researched this walk, some parts more than others........

O, all the woods and the meadows,

Woods where we hid from the wet,

Stiles where we stay'd to be kind,

Meadows in which we met. (Lord Alfred Tennyson 1809-1892)

From the car park we headed to the top of Blackdown with heather and conifers providing the ideal habitat for listening to churring nightjars in the summer and autumn dusk, these birds having flown from Africa each year. The sun was trying very hard to help with the views, but not really succeeding. The paths were now mostly downwards and not too muddy, with an excellent drink stop beyond Valewood House. After a great lunch stop in the Red Lion we then had to return up the hill, by a different route. The paths were somewhat muddy, but local alternatives were available for the really difficult gulleys. After some puffing and blowing we were again near the top and by then the visibility had worsened and some misty rain was hanging around. We found the spot called Temple of the Winds where Tennyson walked to each day and of which he wrote ‘You came, and look’d, and loved the view long known and loved by me: green Sussex fading into blue, and one gray glimpse of sea’ Well, he got that wrong, as far as we were concerned! A few more yards and we were back in the car park, perhaps a little tired but glad we had conquered the hill! Very nice walk of about 6 miles.

Car park gathering.

Morning sun doing its best

No churring nightjars for a few more weeks

Huge camellia bush in full flower

Chirpy robin doing his best

Snowdrop season

No posing going on here.

Time for a drink

"You can use sign language as much as you like, but I'm not listening!"

"I chatter, chatter, as I flow, To join the brimming river; Men may come and men may go, But I go on forever." Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Someone still not listening?

Booting up for the return journey

What goes down, must go up.

Not too much further.

Temple of the Winds

‘You came, and look’d, and loved the view long known and loved by me: green Sussex fading into blue, and one gray glimpse of sea’ Well, what was Tennyson on about?

About 6 miles

We were offered a cattle diversion but chose to opt out. So here is a sample.

Ambersham Common walk on 9th February 2022

Led by Isabel, we had a very enjoyable walk starting from the car park in Ambersham Common. The conditions were good and a few coats were consigned to rucksacks as the morning warmed up. After descending to a stream which later joins the Rother, we headed along the Serpent Trail and down into Graffham Common. We then headed north east to reach Gallows Hill, luckily no longer used. This area has also a number of Bronze aged barrows which we unknowingly walked past! After a stop for refreshments, we headed west and did a portion of road walking. There was a sound of a helicopter. Looking up we were fortunate not to realise what manoeuvre was being undertaken, but it appears helicopters can briefly fly upside down! After turning off the road, we were then heading back to Ambersham Common and the cars to take us back to The Unicorn for a very good lunch.