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Bubble walks on 14th April 2021

Pauline and Tim happened to discover they were both walking in the same area and with a little bit of preparation, mostly by Pauline, we had a joint walk. However to maintain a bit of distancing, the two groups walked in opposite directions. The route was fairly easy, starting from the Grange car park with the two loops going to the Severals and after some adjustments, we all met for a drinks break. The weather was very good and we were able to welcome guest walker Catherine.

Pauline's walk

Perfect weather for a spring walk

Does anyone know what this is??

And then we bumped into all these people. So much explaining to do.

But a nice spot for a picnic

and a chat.

Spring is here.

Pitsham Lane

Pitsham Lane again?

New Pond

Tim's walk

Starting out from South Pond

Portraits taken near South Pond

This field is sometimes full of sunflowers

I can see you!!

I'm lichen this photo!

Should we really be letting Tim clear the land mines?

What a gathering!

Damp ground on the Severals

Tramping through the pines.

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Peter’s walk in and around Fernhurst through farmland and woods, with many ponds and country views, good weather for walking, about 4.5 miles.

Walk start from Vann road car park

One of many ponds

Stick Man!

Peek-a-Boo

A tall mans style.....................................Is that small horse stealing from Peter's pocket?

Coffee break at Hurstfold Surney?

Beautiful Marsh Marigolds

View to Blackdown Hill

Fernhurst Church, St Margaret of Antioch, Norman

Bubble walks on 7th April 2021

This week Celia and Miquel led their bubble walk, starting from Iping Common car park, towards Stedham Common, the Severals, across the A272 to Woolbeding Bridge, then around Stedham. It was just less than five miles and back to the cars, where we decided it was much to cold to stop for a picnic lunch.

No, let's go that way!

The Severals

Bluebells are starting to bloom - or are they the Spanish variety??

A stop on the way to Stedham Mill

Stedham mill sluice gate

Stedham Mill

Stedham Hall - has anyone heard the rumour the Hitler hoped to live there, but never quite made it?

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Linda and Tim's walk started from Rogate Village Hall and headed South towards Habin.

After crossing the Rother twice the walk reached the church of St Peter, at Terwick.

Undergoing building work,hardly anything was visible of the church but it provided shelter from the cold wind for our coffee stop.

Then north through the Lupin field to Terwick Common and Fyning Hill

before dropping back down through Fyning Common and back to the car park. About 5 miles.

Car Park start

Walkers plough on.

Habin Bridge, built by monks from Durford Abbey in the 15th or 16th Century.

Church of St Peter at Terwick, probably 12th Century.

The first signs of the lupins in the outstanding lupin field next to the church.

You can't be too careful

The beautiful South Downs, from Fyning Common.

Bubble walks once again! 31st March 2021

After 3 months of lockdown we were allowed at last to meet up again. It must have been worthwhile to have the lockdown - Covid deaths on the day of our last bubble walk was 744, rising to 1,725 on 21st January but as walks re-started this figure had thankfully dropped to 43 on 31st March.

Pauline's walk started from the Grange car park where they met up with a few strays from the Easebourne walking group. After distant greetings, the group set off past South Pond and headed for Heyshott Common, returning via Dunford Hollow, a walk of around 4.1/2 miles

Ready to go our separate ways.

South Pond

It's going to be a sunny day.

Seen growing in the Wharf. (Cuckoopint OR American Skunk cabbage - anyone?)

Heyshott Common

Time for a break

Socially distanced stop.

Latest in house security maybe?

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The Easebourne walk led by Linda and Tim headed north via Budgenor towards Whitters Copse. The walk had been almost all uphill so we had a very pleasant drink stop before heading east towards Vining Common, with Midhurst just visible in the valley. Turning south we ended up in Easebourne Street which was actually quite busy, but lots of spring blossom to enjoy. After the 4.1/2 miles we felt we deserved a drink from the Cowdray Cafe, sitting of course in the outside park area!

Heading up towards Whitters Copse

Well earnt chocolates - thanks Maddie!

Aha - flat walking at last, heading for Vining Common

No, my hairdresser didn't go home early, it's my blanket cut to stop me glowing too much in the hotter weather.

Pheasant, happy the shooting season has now ended.

Early hawthorn.

Blooming magnolia in Easebourne Churchyard.

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Peter’s bubble back together again, starting from Woolbeding carpark and following the footpath to Woolbeding Wood and then following the New Lipchis Way along the River Rother on to Stedham. An enjoyable spring walk.

Starting out.

I can see you!

A mini Shard

We were here.

Lumpy willow

Coffee break at Stedham Mill

Lovely reflection of Stedham Hall

Horses queuing to meet Mary!

Mary, the horse whisperer.

Bubble walk 23rd December 2020

The last walk of the year was undertaken only by those who were brave/foolish enough to walk in spite of a poor weather forecast - we were also joined by two brave guest walkers, Kathryn and Geoff. In spite of the gloomy forecast, we assembled in the Grange car park with grey skies above us. As it turned out we saw no rain apart from a light shower at the very end as we sheltered with a welcome coffee in the Market Square.

We started by walking over St Ann's Hill and down into the Wharf area. The path up to West Lavington proved the most difficult part of our walk with a lot of mud and water forcing us to take a detour into the nearby wood. Once we reached the road, the going was much better and we reached the church of St Mary Magdelene in good order and had time to recharge spirits with a small amount of seasonal cheer. The church was made redundant in 2008; it is now closed for worship, although it remains consecrated. The reformer Richard Cobden was buried here in 1865, with one of his pall bearers being William Gladstone, later to become Prime Minister. A wander down the road took us over the route of the Pulborough to Midhurst Railway line, opened in 1864 and eventually closed in 1955. Taking a footpath behind The Royal Oak brought us back to Midhurst Market Square and after a coffee we returned to the Grange car park. The walk was about 4 miles.

West Lavington timber felling.

No fish spotted

Repealer of The Corn Laws buried here.

West Lavington church porch

We had blue skies but the sun struggled to appear.

Pulborough trains ran under this bridge.

Market Square decorations.

Old Town Hall, upon reflection.

End of a pleasant 4 miles

Bubble walks 16th December 2020

Isabel led a small bubble up to Grevatts via The Race and Easebourne Playground and then through the woods, stopping at the black huts for coffee and a few Christmas nibbles. We continued on towards Whitters Copse before turning South across the fields back to Easebourne with some fine views of distant South Downs on the way. The rain didn’t start until after our snack and it could have been a lot worse.

Some brilliant tree carving in Easebourne Playground

Nice distancing!

Could be a selfie?

Not really the true track, but something similar. About 5 miles.

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Tim was very grateful for additional guidance from Marian, Linda and Maddie for a Christmas walk over the Midhurst commons. We started off from Carron Lane and then headed for the old station and the back of Midhurst Brickworks old home. From there we meandered past the disused pit ponds of Midhurst Common until we reached the Severals Road. There were a few tricky, muddy paths and puddles to negotiate before reaching Minsted Road but apart from the odd car or van, we could then walk without watching every step! Quags Corner was a set of interesting cottages we passed on the way to Woolmer Bridge from where we went through the Severals again to reach our coffee spot up on Sunset Hill on Midhurst Common. Mary produced some seasonal nips and many other people produced amazing amounts of mince pies, biscuits, lebkuchen, chocolates and stollen to make it seem like a normal Christmas, less the hugging! Luckily after all the food, it wasn't far from the car park. About 4 miles.