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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.

Starting out

Couple of happy chappies.

Is that blue sky up there ?

Puddles need avoiding

Faraway Harting Down

Where shall we go next?

Time for a cuppa! Plenty of seating available.

The wonderful copper clad spire of South Harting church.

East Harting Street

Rain has stopped!

Interesting shed

Needs some TLC

Nice chard growing there.

Welcome bit of shade!

Get out the sun-cream!

Just below Harting Down.

Hedges full of Spindleberry and Old Mans Bead

Pub chickens.

Just over 5.1 /2miles.

Bubble walk in Petworth Park on 13th October 2021

The walk last Wednesday was led by Isabel and the weather was excellent, bright sunshine and only a little wind. Starting from the Upperton Gate we were hoping to see some stags gathering their personal herd of female deer and we were not disappointed, although all the quarrelling seemed to be over. We did a circuit of the park and found an ideal log upon which we could sit and have our refreshments before heading for the exit at the New Lodge West. From there we walked through Tillington Churchyard, before turning west towards the cemetery, and on to vineyards of the Roebuck Estates. After a loop we found ourselves back in Upperton, where we had parked the cars. Many cars seemed to find their way back to the hostelry in Easebourne, which was a good move.

Starting out in the park.

"If we stand very still, they won't know we're in their garden"

The Folly, Petworth Park

Time to chase up my hinds.

"What are you looking at ?"

Crossing his legs didn't help him find any hinds.

Lots of parasol mushrooms around, edible by most people.

“I’m so shy now I wear sunglasses everywhere I go.” - Al Pacino.

Circling the Park

Just catching up.

Coffee stop

Tillington Church

Funnily enough, not a wasp but a Hornet mimic hoverfly (Volucella zonaria).

"Please, please let me take up pole-vaulting?"

"Oh you're so kind, thank you, I'll just watch Miguel show me the run-up"

That's how it's done!

Approaching the cemetery

Tillington Cemetery

Grapes not quite ready to eat

Tillington vineyard, facing the glorious South Downs.

Bubble outing at The Sculpture Park 6th October 2021

Mary organized a wonderful day out for members at the Sculpture Park in Churt but through a late change of dates, was unable to attend. We all had a great time getting lost in an absolute jungle of amazing sculptures in all sorts of materials worth a huge amount of money. Even after three hours we still had not seen everything but were forced to stop for lunch. There happens to be a very pleasant Inn across the road called the Bel and Dragon, where they looked after us very well. Well worth a visit!

and when I got there, the pump was empty!

This huge sculpture is made from horseshoes!

Yours for £1,950

Little more expensive at £60.000

Gorilla in bronze for £13,200

£19,500

Bronze Jazzman £15,000

Coffee stop in the jungle

Nice seat!

A robin kept hoping for crumbs.

Bubble walk on 29th September 2021

Bernard and Celina promised lots of wildlife but we were a noisy group so apart from pheasants and invisible birds in trees, wildlife was scarce. However with fine weather and clear skies, views were plentiful. We started from the Cowdray Cafe car park and after welcoming a guest walker, Sally, we headed north, using part of Wick Lane and paths through fields and woods to reach Whitters Copse and a very convenient spot for a refreshing drink. After heading north we went south-east towards Grevatts before turning towards Loves Farm and Lower Vining. The final part of the walk was to take The Race back to Easebourne village, where some walkers tested the local Hostelry. A very pleasant walk on a fine day. About 5 miles.

Stepping out from the car park.

Towards Wick Lane

Up a deep gulley heading for the field.

Space at last

So what's that town down there ?

It's Midhurst!

Luckily our walk leader carried a map

Far away South Downs

A very suitable drinks stop

Hurrah, it's sweeties at birthday time!

Someone looks at home.

Just crossed Easebourne Lane

Heading for Loves Farm

Lower Vining

The Race. Many of the trees were well established by 1712 and Capability Brown may well have added a few when he worked on the estate in1770.

Group portrait.

Bubble walk on 22d September 2021

Jean's walk was the very interesting walk around Bramshott. Just to make a change, the walkers went in the clockwise direction. From the Canadian war graves in Bramshott churchyard, the route went through Conford Park Farm (taking care not to annoy the highland cattle) and on to the lovely village of Conford with a rest by the village hall, once the village school. After making our way to Passfield Manor, Cooper’s Bridge and back to St Mary’s Church, the route went under the A3 and back to the waiting cars. About 5 miles.