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Bubble Walks on 4th August 2021

Pauline volunteered to lead a walk and also accepted a load of guests so we ended up with a group of sixteen walkers. Starting from the South Harting car park we wandered past the parish church of St Mary and St Gabriel and then on to Torberry Hill, although we didn't go to the top to the site on an Iron Age hill fort. After crossing the B2146 we took the Sussex Border Path to join the Southdowns Way along Forty Acre Lane. After a coffee stop and a puddle crossing we eventually reached the Main Down above South Harting before descending to a delightful picnic stop on South Harting's recreation ground. A very pleasant walk of about 4 miles.

Mustering outside the church

Crossing the field towards Torberry Hill

The roadside was host to many Campanula - Bellflowers along the way.

Tramping along the lower slopes of Torberry Hill

Backmarkers

Perforate St Johns-wort. Witches had to drink it and it was believed it made them tell the truth later when they were tortured. This handy plant has leaves which supposedly heal wounds caused by bruising or stabbing. Nowadays it is used as an anti-depressant. Rumoured to be good for many other disorders but banned in France. And we thought it was just a yellow flower.

Coffee stop

White lipped snail, favoured food of song thrushes.

In spite of the puddle, boots are looking clean.

Beautiful view over the valley.

Church spire just in view.

Last descent into Harting

Hazel nuts are developing nicely.

Cinnabar moth caterpillar, loves the poisonous common ragwort and therefore can cause a rash if handled. This one is safe from birds because of its poison and will probably spend the winter in the soil before emerging as a brilliant black and red moth in early summer.

Recreation ground pond

Picnic time

"Catherine, I'll hold the mugs - you can tell the jokes" says Andy

"That was a cracker, Catherine!"

About 4 miles.

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Peter’s small bubble walk (minus Peter) Just four girls, was around Selborne and Noar Hill nature reserve, to see the stunning wild flowers, returning by the wishing stone and zig-zag path. a lovely sunny walk, just over five miles.

"Shall we go up or down the Zig-zag?"

A field of Golden Oats, porridge in the early stages

Tantalising Teasels

Daucus Carota Dara (Wild Carrot)

Wild Scabious (pin cushion flower) with many friends.

Daucus close up intricate flower head

We rest a while and listen to the Skylarks

Wild Clematis in abundance

We met other friendly walkers ———

——— who then joined us for our coffee break (British White cattle, ancient breed)

Janet’s short phone break

Mary testing for wild flower scent.

Bubble Walks on 28th July 2021

Marian led the walk from Chichester Marina and we saw the forecast was fairly dry with a bit of sun. In the event the forecast was correct but there was quite a strong wind before our coffee stop. We started out from the Marina car park and after passing the Marina we headed for Coperas Point. A very scenic wander along the path next to the Chichester Channel needed a bit of a diversion onto the shingle shore as some parts of the path were a bit on the muddy side. When we reached Dell Quay it seemed a good stopping point with some walkers getting a coffee in the Crown and Anchor, which luckily opened at 11.00am. Suitably refreshed we headed back to the Marina where most of us stayed for lunch in the Boat House Cafe, did a bit of shopping and then a final wander back to the car park. About 4 miles.

Starting out.

Posing by the Marina

Certainly didn't die from lack of water

Another good shot being created!

Camera sitting on a handy post

Some sea bass in Chichester Channel can be THIS big!

Camera post is attracting some attention

In places the path was a little challenging.

What a great idea it is to have a wooden walkway!

Dell Quay in sight

This shingle was a lot drier than the path.

Aha, a seat at last.

Sun and clouds were fine, but the wind was strong!

Pub has just opened for coffee at 11.00am

Suitably refreshed, we're heading home.

A whole verge full of delightful chicory

and a clump of betony?

Just before Salterns Copse we had walked past the field where Clark Gable's plane had made a forced landing back in 1943.

Nice lunch at the Boat House Cafe.

Shopping after lunch - some people just can't resist a new hat!

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Peters’s bubble walk started in Upperton and ambled towards Lurgashall then branching off to Pitts hill, and finally through the vineyards, with all the seasons weather in one morning.

All fired up and ready to go.

Jolly hollyhocks?

We went this way

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair"

Oh, there it is!!

Very wet coffee break.

Stunning Pitshill House

Admiring the view to Pitshill House

Nearly ready

Lovely view from the vineyard

Peter’s girls enjoying the view

Bubble Walk on 21st July 2021

With high temperatures forecast, we decided a stroll near water and in the shade of trees would be a good idea. Parking in the Applegarth Farm car park near Grayshott, we skirted round the back of the Playing Field before descending into the valley next to Hunters Moon. Turning right we followed the path down to Waggoners Wells and after passing all 3 ponds, found a pleasant spot to have a drink. A little further on we came across a well, a favourite spot for Lord Tennyson and also used by Flora Thompson as a wishing well - she used pins to drop into the water rather than coins. We had descended nearly 150 feet so a climb was inevitable but fortunately it was very gradual and in good shade. So we emerged from the shade for a short hike over Ludshott Common before getting back in the shade again for the final stretch back to Applegarth Farm. Staff there looked after us very well and served up some excellent food under two parasols - a pleasant end to the morning walk.

Setting off down Hammer Lane

Heading towards Waggoners down Stoney Bottom

As we got nearer Waggoners Wells, the vegetation was getting quite tropical

Is he pushing or saving?

Snapping again!

Ducks galore

Water flowing well

"So, I said to him" ?????????????????

Last of the three ponds.

Waggoners Wells is notable for its mature beech trees

A shady picnic spot

A sit down at last

Wishing Well

Reading the Tennyson plaque

Written when he was a mere lad of 54.

Tramping up towards Ludshoitt Common. The common is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is one of the largest areas of Heathland in east Hampshire. In 1945 it had been devastated by the Canadians who used it for tank training.

Applegarth Farm served an excellent lunch.

About 4 miles

Bubble Walks on the 14th July 2021

Peter led a very interesting walk for two of the bubble groups, starting from The Street in Sutton. The weather was beautiful as we took a triangular route towards the White Horse public house in the village and then past many fields of crops on our way to Bignor, from there the walk included a number of woodland paths, not yet dry from the recent rain. Peter skilfully avoided areas and also a ford that would have been too difficult to pass and led us on a path where a railway line ran long ago. After a lovely walk of four and a half miles we were back at the cars ready for a quick drive to the Badgers where we enjoyed a delicious lunch in the garden.

Start of walk through the Church grounds of St John the Baptist Sutton.

Our walk leader keeping an eye on the stragglers at the back

Bracket fungus

Smile for the camera!

Cheers!

Time for coffee and chocolates

A marbled white

An aerial or a sculpture?

This looks promising

Waiting for lunch to arrive in the sunshine

Nice cold drinks before lunch

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Geoff and Kathryn kindly volunteered to lead a walk in the Tilford area. The weather was good and although some rain had happened the day before we felt that the sandy soil around Frensham should have drained it all away. Starting from Tilford Green we followed the path going up the River Wey towards Frensham. Some sheep and pigs provided a sideshow before we reached the main path in Tilford Common. We met a couple of cyclists who said the road ahead was impassable but we were not deterred. To be fair they were almost correct but didn't bargain for our tree felling, branch moving, log placing skills and after an interesting passage over a flooded ford we eventually reached a board walk and relative dryness. We stopped for an early coffee at the cafe at Frensham Little Pond before heading for Tankersford Common, via Pierrepont Home Farm. Crossing The Reeds Road we entered the Farnham Heath Nature Reserve. After Tilfordmill Bridge our esteemed leaders warned us of an incline and the possibility of some mud on the path but we as we had already dealt with the Sea of Frensham, the Mud of Tilford was of little consequence. As we neared Tilford we noticed a pill box between the path and the river, one of a huge chain of defences erected during WW11, stretching from Farnham to Edenbridge in Kent, fortunately never actually needed. At our walk end we retired to the nearby coffee shop/post office/grocery and general store. About 4 to 5 miles.

Gathering together outside the Barley Mow, Tilford Green.

River Wey

Happy pigs with fresh pasture

Building bridges

Recycling carrier bags, as recommended by all major supermarkets

This boardwalk was about 50 feet too short!

The drama is over, let's have a coffee.

Taking the easy way to cross water

Posing

Honourable leader taking us through Tankersford Common.

Farnham Heath Nature Reserve

A lone mullein

Excuse me, is the the way to Tilford?

Heading home, one last crossing to make

Pillbox from 1940

Some remarkably clean boots at journeys end.

Bubble Walks on 7th July 2021

Denis kindly led a walk from the Ironhill car park near Liphook, where we were joined by Pauline's group to have a walk up to Linchmere. Why Ironhill has that name remains a mystery. There were iron producing furnaces in Sicklemill, Hammer, Redford, Fernhurst and just below Henley village, so perhaps this was a good source of raw material to be processed elsewhere. Iron production stopped in the area during the 17/18th century. This area is now a nature reserve. After climbing through the bracken of Stanley Common we walked through Linchmere Common to have a coffee break in the church. Seating was excellent with a wonderful view. Almost as good as Pauline's biscuits. The way back was interesting - with some areas still flooded from the previous day's rain. One steep hill was a good test for those recovering from leg surgery and thankfully surmounted successfully. In the middle of a wood we found an ancient memorial stone, engraved IM.1679, RS.1791 and RL1802, but searching on the internet has not produced any further information. After visiting some hobbits in the nature reserve we eventually reached the car park after 4.3/4 miles over some lovely countryside. Footnote - apparently the Selborne wishing stone tested on 9th June does work, sometimes within 10 days!

Meeting up once again. The Ironhill car park.

We rescued this lucky toad

and took him over the road.

Poet, don't know it!

Stanley Common bracken

Small pond on Stanley Common.

Some residents of Danley Lane still need a phone box.

Nice piece of chainsaw sculpture

Linchmere Church, originally Saxon and rebuilt in the 12th century.

Oooooh, they look nice.

View through the glass South door. "For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face."

Approaching Poison Copse.

Some paths were drier than others.

Luckily in some places planks have been placed to cover the puddles.

We found a mystery stone.

RS 1791, IM 1679 and RL 1802. Any ideas??

Is that a hill approaching?

"So, it was like this".

Perhaps Celina was wishing for a tree house!

About 4.3/4 miles.

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Peter’s bubble walk was in and around Bosham, we started from the car park with overcast skies and a slight drizzle, and headed for the sea front. Soon the weather brightened up with sunshine and a light breeze, and we all enjoyed a lovely walk with picturesque views.

Just checking the tides before continuing

Bosham Quay

Holy Trinity Church is the oldest known place of worship in West Sussex, a grade one listed Anglican church, there was a church on this site in Saxon times.