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Sheet to Steep walk on 30th March 2022

We started out, led by Denis, from The Half Moon in Sheet and headed to the stream at Sheet Mill. The little egret was once again in his favourite spot where he seems to have perched in the spring for at least the last 2 years. After visiting Sheet Common we crossed the A272 and found our way to the Sheet Millennium Field before crossing the golf course. After going under a busy A3, we turned left to find a house, once the home of Alec Guinness. We continued to the Ashford Stream but instead of turning left towards The Harrow we turned right and found a picnic spot high above a sunken stream. Suitably refreshed, we headed towards Steep Marsh but then turned west towards Steep Farm and then on to Steep Church. From there we passed the playing fields of Bedales School before crossing over the A3 and eventually finding our way through Sheet village to the Half Moon, where we enjoyed a very pleasant lunch. The walk was about 4.1/2 miles.

Setting out

Sheet Mill

Inside that red ring is a little white thing

Aha - that's what a tele-photo lens can do!

Descending down from Steep Common

Wild fritillary in the Millennium Field

Once the home of Sir Alec Guinness CH CBE aka Dr. Zhivago's half-brother

Having a look in the Ashford Stream

Some sat with their back to a fence

Others with their backs to a very deep ditch!

Heading for Steep Farm

OK, OK, I give in, your stick is bigger than mine!

Ashford stream valley was a nursery for spring flowers

Cowslip, blackthorn and marsh marigold.

Yellow Archangel of the dead-nettle family............... Lady's Smock/Milkmaid/Cuckooflower/Dancing Ladies/Fairy flower, May flower and Coco plant OR Cardamine pratensis.

Admiral Edward Hawker's last port of call, Steep Church. He was a lieutenant in the navy at the age of 14, in command of a cutter in the West Indies at the age of 19 and a captain by the age of 22, fought many battles and had 6 sons and 3 daughters - a busy life.

Photographer has apologized for the unfortunate sign placement.

Garden decorations in Sheet

Dining in the Half Moon

West Marden walk 23rd March 2022

For the second week running Jennifer (assisted by Jean) was kindly leading our walk, this time with no proposed follow up in the afternoon. We were joined by another Jennifer who joined us on the day as a guest walker. Starting out from The Victoria Inn in West Marden, we travelled a short way up the road before turning right onto a footpath. This took us through Lostlabour and Bottom Copse before we took the slow climb up Drift Road Plantation towards Compton Down. Drift Road Plantation is actually devoid of any trees, so we had some splendid views on a beautitfully clear day. We turned before reaching the top of the Down and instead took a path downhill through Robin Wood to a pleasant drinks break spot near Old Idsworth Farm. Suitably refreshed we walked on and met several other walkers near Idsworth Church, one notable walker doing a pre-walk for Winchester Ramblers of around 12 miles. From there we went through acres of wild garlic to find South Holt Farm before heading back through farmland to reach the Victoria Inn for lunch. A very pleasant walk with sunshine all morning.

Starting out up the hill

As we walked up through Lostlabour Copse, we were entertained by 2 buzzards high up above the trees.

Bottom Copse

Walking up past Bottom Copse

Beautiful views over the Mardens

After a long climb we stopped to admire the view (and recover?!)

Descending through Robin Wood

Drinks break at last, near Compton Down Road

St Hubert's Church, Idsworth. King Harold's father, Earl Godwin, had the church built around 1030 AD. The settlement it served ceased to exist in the C14th, probably as a result of the Plague. Another 400 years would pass before the first vaccine (for smallpox) was invented.

Markwells wood

Plenty of flowers, some more edible than others

Just a pause to look for shade

A little bit shadier

Nearer the village, the daffodils were blooming

Is that a smell of lunch ahead?

Lunch in the Victoria Inn

Lovely sunny walk of just over 5 miles

Cocking to Singleton walk 16th March 2022

From the car park at Cocking, we headed towards Winchester along the Southdowns Way. Luckily Jennifer steered us away from the Winchester track and we turned south towards Venus Wood and walked through the trees towards Colworth Down. We came across some quite significant stacks of timber, many carefully dated, presumably so they will be in optimum condition for the nearby charcoal burner. Although it was tempting to stop and sit for a while, Jennifer had a far superior picnic spot further on as the woods came to an end. Suitably refreshed we headed for Colworth Farm and then on to Hat Hill with a splendid view of Singleton and the pub where lunch was waiting. The path took us over the route of the old Midhurst to Chichester railway and then into the village and The Partridge Inn. The rain which had been slowly increasing during the morning began to get quite serious so we abandoned the plan to walk back up the hill and chose to end the walk at that point.

Striding out at the start.

Climbing the Southdowns Way

One of 13 chalk ball sculptures placed in the area by artist Andy Goldsworthy. The trail leads to West Dean College

What have they spotted?

Is that a pixie in Venus Wood?

If that was a pixie, this must be the Pixie Queen on her throne.

Charcoal burner

Wonderful seating arrangements

Ideal seat size

Walk Leader wondering if that's a rain cloud on the way.

There has been rain but perhaps it'll pass us by today

OK OK, it may be just a brief shower?

Midhurst to Chichester line, not in current use.

Playing in the puddles - or washing their boots?

Spoilt for choice, but we chose the Partridge (150 yards did help!)

Mission accomplished

It's often helpful to have some spare shoes

Although Tesco bags are a good standby!

Food is on the way

"Well, if it carries on raining we'll call it a day" - announcement agreed as sensible .

Redford walk and Raffle party 9th March 2022

Walkers were all ready, booted and lateral flow tested before Catherine and Andy set off to lead us on a quick stroll around Redford. Meanwhile much was happening inside Redford Village Hall in preparation for the lunch and raffle, long delayed since Christmas. The walk started along the road but then dived off to skirt Stedham Marsh and headed for Woolhouse Farm. We then passed Wispers, a huge country house, which once housed St Cuthmans School until 2004. After crossing the Redford to Woolbeding road we headed to Pound Common for a convenient drink stop. The gentle climb then led us to the superb viewpoint above Woolbeding Common looking towards Titty Hill and beyond. The route was then all downhill until we reached our start point.

Setting out from the Village Hall

Nice carriage but no horse for a ride.

Still no horse was available

Pausing for a breath

"Did you hear about the ghost who walks into a bar, the bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve spirits.”"

Seating all round if needed

Pound Common

Titty Hill with Butser Hill on the horizon

Happy walkers at the hill top

Descending Older Hill road

Another trig point discovered.

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Whilst we had been walking, some really hard work was going on in the village hall. A mountain of food had been previously prepared and needed heating, plates to be warmed, tables to be arranged and decorated and raffle prizes to be placed in position. Barbara and daughter Jo, helped by John, had slaved over hot stoves all morning and Marian had to tidy up the mountain of prizes she had been looking after since the postponed Christmas event. After a welcome fizzy drink we all sat down and were served 3 courses of excellent food. The great lunch was rounded off with a cup of coffee or tea during which we drew 14 lucky prizewinners. The club is very grateful to everybody involved in this event, including the generous donations made by members towards the raffle and especially to Barbara and Jo for catering so expertly to us all. There is a really good Christmas fair at The Tithe Barn in Ditcham near Petersfield each November in aid of the Wototo charity - details click here:- Watoto charity. Barbara and Jo insisted they needed no reward for their labours, but would be very pleased if we can think about going along to the fair at Ditcham. Last but not least, thanks to Marion H for all the setting up and clearing up at the end of the day.

Our wonderful hosts and the creator of the best raffle in the world!

...

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.