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Witley Day Walk 27th March 2019

The last time we did this walk it rained all day. This time Jeff had organized some ideal weather, a few occasional clouds to keep away some of the sun and just the right temperature for walking. We parked in Webb Road in Witley Common and found ourselves crossing under the busy A3 to get to Rodborough Common. One surprising find on an old tree trunk was the shell of a Swan Mussel (or even a Duck Mussel). This large freshwater Mussel is not uncommon but is rarely seen as it spends its life in the mud in the bottom of ponds. The birch and heather changed to pine trees as we reached Thursley Common and then more gorse as we neared Thursley village and our lunch in the Three Horeshoes.  An excellent lunch before finding a bridge to take us back over the A3 and on towards Witley Common. We glimpsed a roof in Witley Park, home to an extraordinary submerged ballroom/billiard room built by a fraudster in the late 1800s. The mansion he also built had gone by the 1950's, but the ballroom remains.  Lastly we reached Witley Common, once a wartime training camp for 20,000 recruits, but now a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) managed by The National Trust. The walk had been just over 7.1/2 miles.

Stedham Morning walk 20th March 2019

Miguel and Celia took us on a stroll over the commons around Stedham and then returned via the River Rother path back to Stedham. Weather was fine and almost too warm for some. We had another guest walker this week, Mike from Midhurst. Spring started officially on this day and whilst bluebells were extremely scarce, many other plants and flowers were showing significant signs of life. We eventually returned to The Hamilton Arms and enjoyed some delicious Thai food. The walk was a little under 5 miles.

Weavers Down Day Walk 13th March 2019

With a gale forecast we opted for the relative safety of Weavers Down. We collected guest walker Stella in the car park before setting off towards Chapel and Wheatsheaf Common. As we skirted the golf course we kept a wary eye out for stray balls, luckily the only one we saw close up was hidden in the leaves near our chosen coffee stop. The statue of Lord Strathnairn  was as impressive as always, at the entrance to the Foley Manor Estate.       It was in storage for 33 years after being found to be in the way of a new subway for Knightsbridge underground station. Eventually Westminster Council gave it/sold it to Foley Manor on condition it would be accessible to the public. Lord Strathnairn died aged 84 in Paris, was buried in Christchurch, Hants and never married. A heroic leader and strategist, he walked from Mount Lebanon to Beirut so that some of the elderly American missionaries he had rescued could be carried on his horse. When in command of the Central Indian Forces of 1,540 men, he routed 20,000 men of Tatya Tope's army. Guns captured by him during this period were later to be used on his statue.             We eventually found our way to The Deers Hut in Griggs Green where the service and food were excellent. Refreshed, we returned by skirting Weavers Down and by passing through Langley. The weather had been very kind with only a smattering of rain and the trees saved us from much of the wind. The walk was about 6.1/2 miles. Thanks to Jane, Stella and of course Marian for the excellent photos.

Bramshott Day Walk 27th February 2019

The weather could not have been better for our stroll through the commons and woodland around Ludshott Common. It may have been February but the sun shone all day long and it was aound 16° C for much of our walk. Starting from Bramshott Commom we headed for the stream to the west of Waggoners Wells. From there we found our way to Ludshott Common, one of the largest remaining areas of heathland in East Hampshire, skirting the houses of Headley Down on the way. We also managed to catch a glimpse of Butser Hill through a slight haze. Lunch was taken in Applegarth Farm Cafe which made a change from a pub!  After lunch we made our way to the eastern end of the series of ponds known as Waggoners Wells. They may have been originally formed to be hammer ponds, but iron making had moved north by the time they were completed. It was a very still day so the reflections in the ponds were very good. After a few inclines we eventually reached the Bramshott car park. Thanks to Marian, Denis and Jane for additional photos. The walk was a little under 6.1/2 miles

Tilford Morning Walk 20th February 2019

Reaching Tilford green we were surprised to see many other walking groups had chosen the green as their start point. Fortunately we did not seem to cross their paths except at the Frensham Pond cafeteria but plenty of seats were availbale. We had walked there from the green, partly following the River Wey (South Branch) and meeting some livestock along the way. We enjoyed a leisurely coffee stop to avoid clashing with of a group of 20 who were booked in the pub at the same time as our original booking. After our stop we headed for the RSPB reserves of Tankersford Common and Farnham Heath Nature reserve where there was plenty of evidence of clearance work being undertaken to create more biodiversity. Next we walked along Sheephatch Lane to cross the River Wey (Northern Branch) and then follow it back to the Barley Mow for a good lunch. The walk was about 5 miles.

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