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Bubble walks on 5th May 2021

Peter’s walk assembled in Graffham recreation ground car park, we were delighted to find Linda’s walk also assembling, after a brief catch up we moved off in opposite directions. We headed to East Lavington passing through stunning Bluebell and Beech woods, stopping for coffee break in dappled shade, then through Lavington Plantation before heading back to the car park, then for our first walking group lunch in the Royal Oak gardens, a very enjoyable spring walk.

Setting off

Romantic bluebell woods

We were here, there and everywhere

Lovely avenue of beech

Coffee break

Clean looking sign

Interesting door, Aztec perhaps?

John said .... ?

Delightful cowslips

Look at my spots!

Gorgeous view to Graffham Down

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Isabel's report. We met our regulars and two guests, Debbie and Rob, at the car park at West Stoke and walked up the track to the Kingley Vale Nature Reserve. We then walked along the foot of the downs and stopped to watch three hares playing at the top of the hill and then a little further on we paused again to take in the view looking towards Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. We continued with a short stretch along the road towards Funtington before turning off through the pig farm. On reaching the next road, we had our coffee break sitting on logs, just right for social distancing! A detour round the bluebell woods was next on the agenda and the bluebells really were at their best. We returned to the car park to find a man in a van serving coffee, so some of us enjoyed refreshments before going home.

Ready to go!

The Spinnaker Tower was seen by those with good eyesight

Ah, now we know what we're looking at!

Cedar of Lebanon tree

Quickly through the pig farm

Coffee break

Yet more refreshments

The focus of this particular walk today

Everyone's a photographer today!

Beautiful walk almost finished.

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Linda's walk started in Graffham recreation field car park and by great good fortune it happened to be where Peter had decided to start his walk. It was good to meet up with old friends before going our separate directions.

We headed for Seaford College, then walked through the grounds before climbing into the woods at the base of Graffham Down. We headed west before descending into Graffham village with its lovely buildings. Taking a diversion we walked through Tagents, Woodcote and Marsh Farms before heading back to the car park. Some opted for a coffee in the local shop, which was very pleasant.

Seaford college approaches

College entrance

I'm OK with orange socks but not at all happy with yellow ears, said the horse.

Walking through the college

Where do we go now?

Long shadows

Tillington Church from Graffham Down

Petworth House - about 5 miles away beyond the polythene sea.

St Giles Church, Graffham

Just down the road, slightly larger than a bus shelter, is Graffham Congregational Church, no longer in use.

This deer didn't quite know which way to go, but escaped our company eventually.

About 5 miles.

Bubble walks on 28th April 2021

Celia led a beautiful scenic walk of just about four miles, covering parts of the West Sussex Literary Trail and the Monarchs Way walk. On reaching the Goodwood Seven Points we stopped to take in the great view, the flowers and fauna, some memorials and of course have a coffee break. Lots of new born lambs along this popular route, arriving back at Binderton just as the first rain for quite some time started.

Mustering at the start

Mummy's trying to remember the name of those flowers.

But us lambs call them common water crowfoot, lodewort, ram's foot, ram's wort, water anemone or water snowcups.

Climbing up the West Sussex Literary trail.

Plenty of choice

That's the Chichester Cathedral over there!

Resting before the descent.

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Tim and Jane's walk started from the Durleighmarsh Farm Shop car park and then took a walk along the side of the A272 before finding a little used footpath going south. Across a river, through a field until we eventually found the remnants of a bridge once used to carry trains from Petersfield to Midhurst. After following the track for a while we found the side road that passed the Skye Park Farm, soon to be opened up as a visitor attraction and a source of venison.. Deer were plentiful in several fields, until we turned across a field of tiny broad beans plants. After crossing the river we went past the site of the Durford Abbey before crossing the A272 to look at the bluebells. Back in the car park we all enjoyed some refreshment in the cafe. On the walk were 3 brand new members, Geoff and Kathryn from Camelsdale and Catherine from Liss. We also welcomed 2 guest walkers, Andy, Catherine's other half and Bernard, a Midhurst resident.

What are you all doing in MY field?

Remains of the bridge used by Petersfield to Midhurst trains from 1860 until 1955.

Subject to government guidelines...

Plenty of deer around.

Social distancing strictly observed, helped by broad beans.

A stop for drinks on the banks of the Rother.

Site of Durford Abbey, a chequered history from 1161 until 1536 when it was dissolved by the King Henry VIII

Ah, that's better!

Bubble walks on 21st April 2021

Isabel led a lovely walk of four and half miles, starting from Cowdray Farm shop, with a steady climb uphill past Loves farm to Whitter’s Copse, the wild flowers and rape seed fields are just coming into bloom to enhance some stunning views. After a coffee stop it was a gradual downhill back into Easebourne.

Small bubble this week

The Race

Heading for Loves Farm

Why doesn't that horse in the middle just fall over?

Oil seed rape in bloom

Proper seats for a rest

Time for a proper stop

A beautiful day for a ramble.

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Den led the larger than usual group for a ramble over Midhurst common via the newly refurbished skatepark, pausing on Sunset hill before crossing the A272. Once over the river we climbed up the the old Polo grounds before walking through the village and down to Stedham Mill and a welcome drinks break. The route then went along the river Rother to Woolbeding Bridge before finding the A272 once again and dropping down back to The Grange car park. We had a guest walker Wendy with us who is new to Midhurst. The walk was about 5 miles.

Newly rebuilt skateboard park being formerly opened by the mayor

Sunset Hill

Anyone know the name of this dog?

Polo grounds once owned by Kerry Packer

No shortage of honeysuckle in Stedham

Stedham village

Drinks break.

New members!

Woolbeding Bridge, same 15th/16th C builders as Habin Bridge about 3 miles upstream.

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.