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Bubble walks on 9th June 2021

Jean led a very pretty walk from the Memorial bridge in Liphook, last walked in winter, now with Azalea, Rhododendron and many wild flowers out it looked so different, besides we went the opposite way round! From the Canadian war graves in Bramshott churchyard, through Conford Park Farm, the lovely village of Conford where fresh eggs were bought and the a coffee break taken by the village hall once the village school, making our way to Passfield Manor, Cooper’s Bridge and back to St Mary’s Church, after walking around five miles we ended with a nice picnic lunch shaded from the sun in Radford Park at Liphook.

The entrance arch into St Mary’s churchyard

Graves of 300 Canadian Soldiers who died in Bramshott during the 1918 flu epidemic

Jean telling an interesting story about Bramshott Church

Bramshott Vale House

Highland cattle on duty at the stile

Conford Park Lake

Conford Park Farm

Shall we buy some eggs?

Conford ford

Passfield Manor gardens

Duck spotting

Picnic to end the walk

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The Selborne walk was probably 2 or 3 weeks early. We started out from the car park behind the Selborne Arms but some of the magnificent displays of orchids on Noar Hill were still in the ground! However there was still plenty to see, including the Well Head Stream, originally moved to its new position in memory of Gilbert White. The ram pump, hidden behind the door provided water to the village up until 1934. See Ram Pump for more information. Up on Noar Hill we only managed to find a few orchids but other wild flowers were in abundance. After a tea break in the shade, we tackled the Selborne Hill, walked along the top to reach the Wishing Stone at the top of the Zig Zag path, before a final descent back to Selborne village.

Checking out the ram pump.

Heading for Noar Hill, a chalk quarry in medieval times, now a Site of Special Scientific Interest

So, very pretty wild flowers, but is there something else?

Thanks to a telephoto lens, we can now see the reason for the interest.

Broomrape, a parasitic plant taking it's nutrients from other plants, often clover

Common Twayblade, not an easy orchid to spot with its green/yellow flowers

Common spotted orchid.

Always worth having a flower book on Noar Hill.

Heading down Noar Hill.

Some people believe that a wish will come true if you walk around this stone backwards three times, with your eyes shut. Stone placed here by Gilbert White.

View over Selborne, The golf balls are for the operation and management of the UK Military Satellite Communications System, and is home to half of the 1001 Signals Unit, which provides voice, telegraph, facsimile, data and imagery services to military users, as well as supporting non-military government agencies.

Much better walking down than up!

Just over 4 miles

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Peter had a small bubble walk in and around South Harting, starting at the church and going upwards from there to the top of Harting hill, stunning weather and stunning views all the way, and what goes up must come down. About 4 miles.

Starting from St Mary & St Gabriel Church South Harting

Good example of a Bracket Fungus?

Our leader at rest

The Vandalian Tower, built in 1774 and destroyed by fire in 1842

Drinks time

Stunning view over South Harting

Just look at that amazing panorama!

Early orchid on Harting Down

Looking across fields of Common Flax or Linseed

Bubble walks on 2nd June 2021

It was a hot morning as Celia led a walk from Elsted, the views at the cricket ground were spectacular with many more to come as we headed east to New House farm and then towards Didling. Passing through a number of sheep fields with the Ewe’s very protective of their young we stopped for a break enjoying more stunning views in all directions. A little climb, descent and climb again took us to Treyford. Hot, tired and happy after four and a half miles we were back in Elsted. There is a nice video here :- Didling Church

All ready to walk

Trying to find a little shade

I've got a poorly leg and can't keep up

New homes for the arrival of chickens maybe?

Cardio workout time.

Whichever way, there is a good view

13th Century Didling Church, known as the Shepherds Church, still without electric lighting it is lit entirely by candles.

Celia looking after her flock

Ah, there they are!

About 4.1/2 miles

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Led by Denis, we all had a ramble, via the Monument, in the scenic areas around Uphill House before cutting back through the vineyards and then on towards Tillington village. From there to a short walk along the footpath next to the A272 before entering Petworth Park. Full of deer as usual and temperature unusually warm. We took the opportunity to examine a would be new member about the origin of the abundant "molehills" in the park which, we thought everybody knew, were created by yellow meadow ants. Failing to answer obscure questions did not however stop us welcoming Celina as a new walking club member. At the end of the walk we had a picnic near the playing fields in Tillington.

The monument in Petworth Park

In the shadow of the monument

Upperton Common

Pitshill House, restored for the Hon Michael Pearson, originally built in 1794.

Strolling through the vineyards

Entrance to Tillington graveyard

All Hallows Church with its very unusual Scots Crown spire, thought to have been suggested by the artist Turner and added onto the old tower in 1807.

Checking out a fallen tree.

Hallo in there?

Hallo deer.

About 4.1/2 mile

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Peter’s bubble walk started from the lay-by at the end of Dangstein Lane, then moving into Green lane, heading for Hammer Wood via Chithurst Lane, and into Chithurst Woods keeping quiet as we passed the monastic area, then joining The Serpent Way to Borden Village. A lovely cool woodland walk on a hot day. About 4 miles. ( 7miles for a couple who walked from their home to the start).

Stepping out.

Outstanding view of Hammer Woods

Late flowering Camellia

Not often seen, the very rare Marydodendron.

Pretty as a picture

Three little maids——————

No ducks at home

Under the spreading Chestnut tree

Make up your mind!

You've been framed.

Bubble walks on 26th May 2021

Starting from Woolbeding car park Pauline led a walk to the Severals and on to Stedham Common, crossing the A272 to Iping bridge, a good example of a 16th-17th century multi-span bridge with five arches. Following the river Rother through Stedham over more ancient bridges back to Woolbeding. An enjoyable walk of just over five miles.

The Heathlands Sculpture Trail with sandstone carvings.

Anything need watering?

Iping Bridge

It all looked lovely today.

Stedham Bridge

Blooming lovely

Stedham Hall

A coffeee break after 4 miles

Swanning around on the River Rother

Time for a chat

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Denis led a walk from the outskirts of Milland and we were delighted to welcome Jean and Peter's group to our walk. With good weather it made a change from the rain of previous days. After circling Marsh Wood (which was still a bit damp!) we headed across glorious countryside to reach our coffee spot, just short of Maysleith House. Refreshed and after a quiz on a previous owner of Maysleith, we followed up with a couple of poems by Betjeman. After passing the house we headed along below Maysleith Hanger before entering Maysleith Wood and eventually passing Combeland Farm. After passing Combe Pond we cut across country to the south of Great Tippetts Farm. The Farm is owned by the Marquess of Milford Haven and his wife, Lady Milford Haven, but unfortunately we had no time to stop by and say hello. After about 4.1/2 miles we were then ready to seek refreshment back in Milland village.

Starting out

Don't turn your back, look at me, look at me!!

Ah, that's better.

Getting some timely advice about wood cutters at work ahead.

Blue Mint Beetles were first recorded in the UK in 2011. The first sightings were from the Kent area. Now they've dispersed further inland and have become well-established in South England. Peak activity is from April to June.

Pretty as a picture

Coffee stop tales

Miss J. Hunter Dunn, Miss J. Hunter Dunn,

Furnish'd and burnish'd by Aldershot sun,

What strenuous singles we played after tea,

We in the tournament - you against me!

Maysleith

Below Maysleith Hanger

Bugle, of the mint family aka Ajuga reptans. Also known as Carpenters Herb. It was a popular ingredient in herbal remedies, particularly for stopping bleeding.

Just having a natter.

Striding out

Passing Great Tippetts Farm.

Walk end, cars are around the corner.

About 4 miles

Bubble walks on 19th May 2021

Isabel led the walk and we met up in the layby on the A272 just South of Rogate. We walked up the old sunken path, crossed over Fyning Lane, and carried on until we reached the Fyning Hill Estate. We walked through Rondle Wood and then Bordon Wood and then walked through the asparagus fields, admiring the views of the South Downs as we walked. We passed Cumbers Farm and walked along Cumbers Lane, admiring the alpacas on route. After crossing the A272, we passed Terwick Church, although we were unable to see it as it was shrouded with scaffolding. Pauline managed to find one or two solitary lupin flowers, but we need to revisit the field to see them when they are all flowering. The field is now owned by the National Trust on condition that they continue to have lupins growing there. It was lovely to have the sun and no rain, a very enjoyable walk.

Lovely day for a walk

Rondle wood

South Downs in the background.

Fyning

Green Lane.

Footpath through the asparagus field

Harvesting the asparagus

Alpaca farm

Terwick Church under repair

Lupins at Terwick just beginning to show their heads

Walkers, on hearing Isabel may be away next week.

Nice walk.

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This walk started at the Cowdray Cafe in Easebourne where we welcomed 2 guest walkers, Maurice and Celina. We also bumped into Peter's walking group who again had chosen the same start point as us. After skirting the golf course we turned down towards Moor Farm crossing the River Rother at Ambersham Bridge and we were fortunate to find some logs so that we could stop for a coffee. Suitably refreshed we managed to skirt a huge pile of manure that obliterated the footpath before reaching the Selham Road, where we soon turned south to Todham Rough. A walk through the woods took us to the road to the Kennels Dairy (New Lipchis Way). From there it was an easy path past Cowdray Castle to reach Cowdray Cafe which was unfortunately busy when we got there. A pleasant walk of about 5 miles.

Best foot forward above Cowdray House ruins.

Part of an avenue of lime trees

Admiring the Lime trees in Lime Bottom. They were there in 1795.

A mighty sweet chestnut at the entrance to Moor Farm

There's a happy chappy!

A mighty chestnut

Pretty as a picture, to Moor Farm.

Moor Farm in the distance

Tramping through the barley.

Break time

Polo fields and Cowdray ruins from the road to Easebourne

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Peters walk started from Cowdray Cafe a little earlier than the other group. By a series of clever diversions the two groups never met, even though the route was much the same, with Moor Farm, Kennels Dairy and the lower reaches of St Ann's hill all being part of a common route. Finally reaching Cowdray Cafe , they cleverly opted for the quicker service at The Royal Oak.

Magnificent Cowdray House ruins, burnt down in 1793. Someone called Guy Fawkes did work there beforehand, but not believed to be implicated

Silene dioica, known as red campion and red catchfly, (we think!)

Bluebell time

In amongst the barley

Nice weather all morning.

Bubble walks on 12th May 2021

Catherine kindly volunteered to lead a walk near Milland, starting from near the old Post office. We walked past Hollycombe Primary School and up through to the top of Wardley Hanger. After passing Milland House we walked along the top of Great Hanger before turning north to our drinks stop (with seats!) in the grounds of Milland church and the nearby Tuxlith Chapel. Tuxlith Chapel is under the care of The Friends of Friendless Churches. It was probably the main place of worship for the area from the 12th Century, but was found to be too small and replaced by the adjacent St Luke's in 1879. Refreshed we headed south down stone steps of medieval origin above Maysleith House. Across the road (used by Romans travelling between Chichester and Silchester, but not recently) and then a quick look at Milland Place - an enormous building (with an interesting history) in need of some TLC!!. After going through Upper Wardley we passed the very busy playground of Hollycombe School before reaching our parking spot. Some of us then supported the Community Shop back in Milland village. The walk was about 4.1/2 to 5 miles.

The forecast was quite good...

but nobody told the weather about the forecast

but on top of Wardley Hanger, Catherine waved the rain away.

and it worked!

Wardley Hanger

Horse whisperer at work

Tuxlith Chapel looking very well preserved.

Medieval steps, to be taken carefully!

Nearly there.

Pond below Milland Place

Milland Place chimneys, may need some weeding.

About 4.1/2 to 5 miles.

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Starting from the village pond in Buriton, Pauline led a walk uphill going towards Queen Elizabeth Country Park, when reaching the South Downs Way, we used this footpath to Coulters Dean, resisting the delicious looking flapjack left out for passing walkers and cyclists on the way and continued on the undulating paths back into the village, just over four miles in total. On route passing the old chalk quarry now a habitat for many chalk loving plants and wildlife and the old hop fields, another industry that for 150 years had once thrived in Buriton. There is a fascinating village website on the heritage of Buriton - click HERE On this walk we once again welcomed Debbie and Rob who we are very pleased to say will be walking with us regularly.

Buriton Pond

Starting out.

Nice thatch

Old quarry truck

One of several wood carvings along the trail

Looking sheepish.

Refreshments if needed.

Nice gates for Buriton House, built in 1910 by Lothian George Bonham Carter, a Hampshire County Cricketer.

Classy brickwork

Parish Church of St Mary, built between 1150 and 1200.

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Peter’s walk took us around Chichester Marina and onto Birdham Pool Marina, a level walk with no stiles and a fresh sea breeze, an interesting change from woodland walking, about six miles.