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Singleton and the Deer Park 17th November 2021

Peter's Strollers met in the Deer Park car park, where we later had lunch. We first headed towards Harting, but after less than a quarter of a mile, dived into a wood towards Down Park Farm. After admiring some ancient machinery, we turned North and walked along the boundary of the West Heath Quarry before reaching the route of the old Midhurst to Petersfield Railway (which closed in 1955). The old railway route took us back towards Durford Mill. With the kind permission from Sky Park Deer Farm, we had our drinks on the bank of the River Rother, then looped around and headed through the deer park before finally walking past Rival Lodge and reaching the Deer Park for lunch.

Gathering in the car park

Just won't start, could be a flat battery?

West Heath Quarry

Hope you're lichen this photo .

On top of the railway embankment was a very old tree root.

Looking very comfortable

Oh dear, looks like we went the wrong way .

The punishment should always suit the crime but "Trespassers will be melted in boiling lava" seems a bit over the top

Handy tables by the Rother

Treading past the new broad beans.

Resting in the sunshine

Passing Rival Lodge

Back for lunch.

Just over 3 miles.

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Isabel's group started in Singleton village and walked through the cricket ground and straight on over the old railway line and upwards via Hat Hill, stopping from time to time to enjoy the view. We circled round Downley Cottage and gradually made our way downhill to the Chichester road, passed Drovers and went up Levin Down. The final stretch was downhill back to Singleton. Lunch was taken in The Royal Oak.

Starting out

Just leaving the green at Singletgon

Midhurst to Chichester railway line, shut to passengers in 1935 and final freight near Lavant stopped in 1991.

Yup, the trains went under this bridge.

Puttocks Copse

Passing Downley Cottage

Sheds at Downley Cottage

Glorious Autumn colours

Fantastic old beech with fungi at the Drovers

Lunch!

Farnham walk 10th November 2021

Geoff and Kathryn led an interesting walk in pastures new, in and above Farnham. The forecast predicted a 10% chance of rain during the morning and in some ways it was correct but only if a heavy mist/drizzle counts as 10% rain! Starting from the car park in Farnham we headed for Dippenhall before turning north. We were now in the area of the Old Deer Park, established around 1138, so that the Bishop Henry and King John had somewhere convenient to hunt when staying in the newly built Farnham Castle. Part of our walk was on a pilgrimage route between Winchester and Canterbury, the Farnham to Winchester segment being renamed St Swithun's Way in 2002, in honour of Bishop Swithun of Winchester. The other part of the Pilgrims Way to Canterbury followed the route of an even older path called the Harrow Way, a stone age path from Dover to Seaton in Devon. After looking at the remains of Farnham Castle and walking part of the Harrow Way, we had absorbed so much history that we had to make our way down into Farnham Town and the much more familiar Castle Street, there to find some food in Bill's. We welcomed guests Jay and Lindsey on this walk and hope they realised wonderful views were available, but not on this day!

Bit of road work to start with.

Little bit misty over there

I'm sure the spots will go eventually...

I think I'll go this way

No, this way, there's sheep in this field!

Sheep looking sheepish.

Group photo, only one person hiding!

Refreshment time

Deep in the Old Deer Park

Here's a happy leader

Heading down Old Park Lane.

Crossing the top of Castle Hill

Farnham Castle, built in 1138 by Henri de Blois, Bishop of Winchester. The original building was demolished by Henry II in 1155 then rebuilt in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Visited by King John, Queen Elizabeth I, King James I, Charles II, Queen Victoria amongst others, and on 10th November 2021, by MFC.

Checking out the history of the route.

Walking the Avenue but this was originally the Harrow Way, dated by archaeological finds to 600–450 BC, although probably of Stone age origin.

Another ancient street, now polluted with Motor Cars

Appetites at the ready

About 4.5 to 5 miles

Trundle walk 3rd November 2021

The weather was absolutely superb for Celia and Miguel's walk from Lavant village up towards the Trundle. We started out from Sheepwash Lane, next to an almost completely dry River Lavant, in spite of all the recent rain. Near to Sheepwash Lane is The Earl of March pub, supposedly where William Blake composed the words to Jerusalem. "and did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England's mountains green" whilst gazing out of the window and quaffing an ale. Our route took us past the site of a Dame School in East Lavant and up Pook Lane before turning left up Chalkpit Lane. We eventually made the decision to make the final ascent to the Trundle, where we were rewarded with fine views of Goodwood Racecourse and beyond in one direction and The English Channel and the Isle of Wight in the other direction. We decided to descend to the Trundle car park for our drinks break. Adjacent is a house rebuilt around 1990 called The Rubbing House - originally known as The Rubbin' House, it being the place where the horses were rubbed down after ascending Chalkpit Lane. Our descent was via The West Sussex Literary Trail, but we only did about 2.1/2 of the 55 miles before reaching our cars back in Lavant. Several walkers felt they needed refuelling so they stopped on the way home in the Royal Oak.

Starting out

River Lavant, dry despite the Rother and the Itchen having had notably high rates of flow for the time of year.

Sheepwash Lane

And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England's mountains green?

Glint of the sea on the horizon.

Red Admiral, probably travelled here from Europe.

Top of the hill, once a Neolithic enclosure between 3,000 to 10,000 years BC ago. The sea water was then 120 metres lower than today and the Isle of Wight was joined to the mainland. If emissions continue on their current track, Portsmouth will be under water in 80 years. Best stay up on the hill for now!

Racecourse in the background

Where nicer for a bike ride?

What a view!

Descending from the Trundle

Site of the Rubbin' House on Goodwood hill, now The Rubbing House, yours for £12,000 a week.

Who's got all the sweeties ?

It must be Greta Garbo...................................................................."I vant to be alone."..

Nice grouping

Just call me Spot.

About 5 miles

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Meanwhile, the Amblers led by Peter had gone to Petworth.

In the garden, Petworth House.

North Mundham walk 27th October 2021

This weeks walk started in the recreation ground car park at North Mundham where 12 walkers gathered to look at the dark skies to decide if it would rain or not. It didn’t, and we even had Autumn sunshine as we walked the five miles of almost flat terrain. From the village we made our way past St Stephens Church and on towards Chichester golf course (at Hunston), a few puddles to negotiate but nothing compared to the stile where the bottom step had been removed. Some were thankful for the strong shoulders of walkers helping each other past this obstacle. Before reaching Runcton we stopped by the side of the road for refreshments, then through some woodland before completing a full circle back in North Mundham, where we then made our way to the very busy Walnut Tree for a tasty lunch.

Starting out.

Plenty of pampas grass...

Not too sure they were all nurses!

Walk leader striding out

Footpath maintenance

Girls leading the way

Boys tagging along behind

Roller needs repair

Bridge crossing

Picnic spots were scarce

Moorhens chatting.

Now, where is that letter I need to post?

Runcton Mill 17 /18th Century, now in private hands. Corn mill, maybe originally water driven, later converted to steam ?

Mill's old source of water, Pagham Rife. Rife is a Sussex dialect word for a stream - particularly in the Selsey area.

Mare and foal, with unusual markings

Two lovely black eyes!

Some people just won't look the right way!

Yum yum

Lovely flat walk, about 5 miles.

South Harting walk 20th October 2021

The forecast earlier in the week was fairly bad, wet all morning as well as thunder and lightning. By Wednesday morning the forecast had improved and our walk was only seriously rained on for a few minutes and easily coped with by using a brolly. Starting from the car park in South Harting we headed towards West Harting. On the way we passed West Harting’s Old Inn, also known as the Old Greyhoud. Now a private house, it is of medieval and Tudor timber framed construction. In West Harting we turned East towards the hamlet/house called Upperton, not to be confused with the village near Petworth. Another detour, and from the farm track we had fine views to Durleighmarsh Farm in one direction and Harting Downs in the other direction. Courtesy of the Hill Ash Estate we found a ideal spot for our coffee break before heading for Hollist Farm and East Harting. We had a short downpour, which stopped as soon as we reached a handy bus-shelter. After heading directly towards the impressive Harting Down, we luckily turned west and found a route back to the car park. The Three Horseshoes provided an excellent lunch.