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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.

Path junction coming up

Barely believable tales of how worms helped to make flint

Here's my story!

Never heard that story

That's a good one!

Hilarious!

Hiding in the woods

Drinks stop's over, let's get walking

Inholms Wood

Looking for that perfect photo spot

View from the end of Inholms Wood - on a good day the Isle of Wight and a fort are clearly visible.

Food at last.

About 5 miles.

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.