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Bubble walks 9th September 2020

Hopefully you will have seen an email from Isabel correcting the above as we are an outdoor

exercising group who have taken precautions. So we will carry on as before and as always, take care.

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Pauline led a local walk from Easebourne, up through the Race (an avenue of enormous sweet chestnut trees) and the ascent to Vining farm was rewarded by the beautiful views and a coffee stop followed by the descent through an ancient sunken track where livestock were once taken, lined by badger setts and onto the newly planted avenue of lime trees commemorating Queen Elizabeth II jubilee year. After almost five miles of very different terrain and a cold shower from the polo field sprinklers we were back at the start.

Climbing the hill

Is he trying to be a Zebra?

Resting before the climb to Loves Farm.

Cowdray Castle

Nathan's wood carving. Does anyone know who Nathan is/was???

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee trees

Resting, post walk.

Nearly 5 miles

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Linda led us from Silvia Beaufoy car park and through Petworth Park, before diving down the back of Petworth to eventually climb up to Brinkshole Heath. A great variety of scenery, with plenty of views, we walked through Byworth before making tracks for Petworth Town. Whilst we found plenty of antique shops, we had a lot of trouble before finding an excellent coffee shop.

Descending from Petworth

We have it on good authority that the white horse was truly asleep.

Coffee stop in Brinkshole Heath

Heading for Byworth

Shop must shut on Wednesdays?

Byworth duck house, no expense spared.

There must be a coffee shop somewhere.....

Under 5 miles

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Peter's walk was around Cocking, including Philips Jackson's garden and an old tunnel under the deceased Midhurst to Chichester railway.. Lovely photos very kindly provided by guest walker Jo. Thank you!

No rucksacks on these walkers?

Phili[p Jacksons garden at Casters Brook

Caterpillar of the Sycamore moth at his most colourful stage of dressing up.

Sycamore moth

Coffee stop

Old railway tunnel

Species lovebirds, we believe.

Treemendous grouping.

Bubble Walks 2nd September 2020

Den's walk left the Grange car park and headed through Midhurst Common before heading for Stedham. Full of pretty houses and cottages, a 2 bed terraced cottage in Lavendar Row will cost £375k - it makes St Cuthmans School (with 19 acres) look cheap at £3.2 million! After a drink stop in Stedham Village green we then went South through the Severals and past the old pits used by Midhurst Whites. We eventually reached Midhurst Town Square where we met up with a walker who is currently resting.

A familiar view on Midhurst Common

Honourable Walk Leader.

Stepping up to Kerry packer redundant polo fields

Careful spacing around Stedham signpost.

Interesting character returning to Stedham after a shopping trip.With a full battery a return trip to Petersfield is not difficult.

Railway Cottages supporting the NHS

Midhurst Town square

About 5.1/2 miles

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Janet led the walk from Dumpford through fields of maize towards Fair Oaks and towards Habin bridge

before eventually turning back to Dumpford - about 5 miles.

Setting out

Healthy crop

Careful, no jumping!

Nice spacing

Resting.

Drink stop.

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Isabel's walk started from a point between Lodsworth and Lickfold and we walked across fields, through woodlands and passed by two big ponds, where there were mills in the past. The first was called rather obviously called Mill Pond, and the second was nameless and by River Park Farm. Both were very quiet and peaceful spots, giving us good spots for a break.We sampled wonderful blackberries and saw large field mushrooms, although no one picked them, but the highlight was definitely the sighting of a hare!

Setting off

Refreshments

Checking the route

Miguel checking the mechanism

Second lake

Interesting collection

Nearing the walk end.

It was about four and a half miles long and very easy walking

Bubble Walks 26th August 2020

After two weeks when walking was stopped by excessive heat or rain, walkers got their boots back on and we had a total of 21 walkers in 4 bubbles.

Celia's walk bubble had a great walk through the Severals and down towards Woolbeding before diverting to Stedham. The return to the car park in Iping completed the loop of about 5 miles.

Celia's group

New seat under construction

Miguel clearing the path

Stedham Mill

Stedham Hall

Route about 4 to 5 miles

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Peter's walk was from Upperton Cricket Ground car park and explored a wonderful park and a vineyard.

Walk start

Petworth Park , by Capability Brown

Petworth Park lake

Refreshments break

Grapes coming on nicely

South Downs vineyard

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Tim's walk left Easebourne to take a meander to Woolbeding and back, returning along the River Rother Walk

Woolbeding House

Massive funghi

I spy another bubble's picnic spot!

Woolbeding House from Whiphill Wood

Midhurst Mill Pond

Small bubble, with guest walker Jon

Yet another bubble spotted!

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Den's walk went via St Ann's Hill to reach West Lavington Church for a drink stop before eventually returning to Easebourne Cowdray Car Park

It’s said there is an underground tunnel from the Roundhouse to the Castle

King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I both visited MIdhurst and stayed at Cowdray

Chestnut tree intricate bark patterns

This fungi grew too big for his home!

Entry for MIdhurst Town Councils first ever Scarecrow competition. Winner below by a fellow walker!

The Rother is 18 ft deep here and has been used for Police Frogman Diving exercises

Passing the polo grounds - is that more walkers ahead?

Back for coffee at Cowdray

Bubble walks 12 August 2020

With the temperature reaching 30 degrees and the threat of a thunderstorm, all walk leaders sensibly called off the walks.

Long range for next week is forecasting far more sensible temperatures!

Bubble Walks 5th August 2020

Pauline led a local MIdhurst walk of 4.3 miles started by admiring entries in the MIdhurst Scarecrow Competition at the guide hut in Carron Lane, then through the common towards the Rother walk, Cowdray ruins, West Lavington and back to the recreation ground for a packed lunch and other refreshments.

4.1/4 miles

New members maybe??

Woolbeding Church and House

Rother weir

Coffee stop

Fish spotting

Well deserved at the end of the walk.

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Two walks happened in Petersfield with Mary going clockwise and Tim's group going anti-clockwise on a similar walk with a different start point.

By a small miracle both groups met (at a distance) for a coffee stop. Seen on the walks were the Sheet Watermill, Durford Abbey and some splendid views of the South Downs.