Gallery

Liphook Walk on 22nd December 2021

We started out from the remains of the old bridge in Liphook, that carried the horse-drawn traffic from London to Portsmouth over the river, and after a quarter of a mile we were under its replacement, the road now designated the A3. Further on we were in the Bramshott Churchyard, the final resting place for over 300 Canadian Soldiers, victims of Flu, WW1 and WW2. Many died soon after WW1 from the Spanish Flu, before they had a chance to return home. Spanish Flu is really incorrect - it probably originated in USA and brought to Europe in American troopships. After passing through the churchyard, we found an ancient sunken lane to take us down into Bramshott village. Then a walk along the road to eventually reach footpaths taking us to Passfield Manor. After a break for refreshments at Conford Village Hall, we passed Conford Park House (was on the market for £8.5m in September) before crossing the B3004 and walking into Bramshott once again. After passing Boris Karloff's last residence we retraced our steps back to our cars before meeting up for an outside coffee at the Royal Anchor in the village.

The old bridge

Gaining a bit of local knowledge.

Setting off

Excellent graffiti under the A3

Bramshott Churchyard

History lesson near the Canadian graves

Nice posing seat in Bramshott

Trees clinging on to the bank

Passfield Manor

Pause for thought over Conford Moor

Conford may be small but at least it has a library!

and a village hall, which used to be the school.

Conford Park House

Walking down from Conford Park House

Highland cattle in Bramshott Vale Farm

Bramshott Vale House built circa 1731, once the home of an ironmaster, with furnaces in Hammer and Fernhurst.

Some people can't resist a second look at the graffiti

About 5.1/4 miles.

West Lavington Christmas walk on 15th December 2021

Isabel organized a Christmas lunch walk from the Royal Oak in Midhurst. We walked down to the Jubilee path to South Pond and then onwards down The Wharf. After crossing the river we headed along the New Lipchis Way towards the Kennels Dairy before reaching the road. From there we walked past West Lavington, over the long defunct railway bridge to finally reach the Royal Oak for a splendid Christmas lunch.

Gathering at the start

Travelling down the Chichester Road

A couple of elves joined our party

South Pond and the Grange

South Pond

Cowdray Castle from The Lipchis Way

Time for refreshment

Fancy some Stollen ?

Who's got a tub of sweeties?

Cheers!

More Stollen

Flag flying at Cowdray House

Treading New Lipchis Way

"Don't look now girls, he's going for a handstand!"

No sign of the Midhurst to Pulborough train over there

Group photo - we nearly all made it!

Ready for Christmas Lunch

Plenty of hats on display

Severals from the Greyhound 8th December 2021

The walk led by Pauline started from the Greyhound car park, already crowded by another large walking party. We ducked under the old Midhurst/Chichester railway line to reach Pitsham Farm and Lambs Pitsham Brickworks, still busy making special bricks. From there we headed through the fields and lanes to reach Bepton, and eventually the Severals. The wonderful Sunset Hill seemed a good spot for a break, but the wind did its best to spoil it. The forecast had said windy with 30mph gusts but we didn't experience any serious windy spots. From Sunset Hill we headed round the back of the Midhurst Whites site before crossing Bepton Road again to go past New Pond and down Pitsham Lane, eventually passing under the old railway line once again to reach the Greyhound in good time for an excellent lunch.

Starting out from The Greyhound

Under the railway

Pitsham Brickworks, award winning manufacturers of bricks for exclusive Knightsbridge buildings, and Catherine and Andy's fireplace.

Nothing too muddy

At last a chance to rest feet on Sunset Hill

and to show the latest on mobile phones.

View from The Hill

Rootscape

Descending

Despite winter approaching, the gorse keeps flowering

Stopped for a break

Deep pond at the old brickworks

Christmas is coming

New Pond, Pitsham Lane.

Pitsham Farm where the first case of BSE occurred in 1984, but not confirmed until 1987. Over 4 million cattle were slaughtered and 177 people died from the associated VCJD.

"I hope he's got me a biscuit in that box"

Nearly the last stile.

This IS the last one, I think ?

Back under the railway

Back at the start once again.

About 5 mles

Chichester and Strollers in River

The Chichester walkers started off from Sheepwash Lane in Lavant. The river Lavant was in a very healthy flow, different to how it was in early November. We took the Goodwood road to reach the footpath beyond Church Farm. After the fields and paths of the city perimeter, we headed west to find the Centurion Way at Brandy Hole Copse, a small Nature reserve managed by Chichester Council. Travelling south down the Centurion Way we were all surprised with the enormous housing development going on to the west, where Whitehouse Farm used to be. The sun was around as unfortunately also was a cold wind, so our coffee stop didn't last long. We eventually reached the Bishop's Palace Gardens (dating back to 1148!), in the shadow of Chichester Cathedral, before doubling back to reach the old City wall walk. This took us towards our bus stop for our final journey back to Lavant. Another stop in The Partridge, Singleton, was used to refuel.

Starting from Sheepwash Lane

Lavant now in flood - a month ago there were leaves on the trees but no water!

Oh no, said Santa Claus!

Bullock on the right is pondering a charge....

Search for similar photo on 20th Jan 2016, same weather, same girls.

Crossing through Chichester, we found Brandy Hole Copse.

Drinks stop on Centurion Way. Background is the Whitehouse Farm development site, 1600 new homes, not quite the size of Midhurst!

Just entering the Bishop's Palace Garden.

Well worth a visit

Time for a photo

Result!

Bishops Palace

Cathedral cloisters

St Richard, died 1253, officially buried in Kent and the Tower of London, unofficially mostly in West Wittering.

Cheers!

Now I'll tell you an even better joke....

About 5 miles.

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Peter was encouraged to lead a group of Strollers around River and Lodsworth for a few miles, ending with a excellent stop in the Halfway Bridge.

Walderton walk 24th November 2021

After checking in at The Barley Mow, we set off towards the Sussex Downs, a land full of chalk and flint and many beech groves. We were aware that this area is a favourite for Fallow Deer, but we saw none, probably they took cover on hearing our approach. We made a circular tour around Watergate House. The original House was built in the 16th Century but destroyed by fire in 1942 and only rebuilt in the latter part of the last century. Some evidence of ancient barns and gardens still exist. From there we headed for Piglegged Row and up the lane to Pitlands Farm. Beyond Pitlands farm the footpath forked in the middle of a field, marked by a stone cairn (or probably more correctly, just a pile of rubble) and a signpost. Here walkers had to endure a tale about the formation of flint at the bottom of the ocean before they moved on to a secluded picnic spot up in Inholmes Wood. After a wander along the crest of this wooded hill we emerged with distant views across the fields before descending down for a lunch in The Barley Mow.

Right, pre-walk check - who's got the first aid kit ?

Heading out

Heading for Watergate Park

First sight of Watergate

Watergate Park

Autumn's here

Entering Watergate Hanger.

Just wandering along

Near Watergate were some White Guinea fowl, especially fond of snapping up the ticks that spread Lyme Disease. The ticks live in tall grass where they sit waiting for a passing walker to unwittingly provide a tasty meal.