Gallery

Viewing galleries from November, 2021

Walderton walk 24th November 2021

After checking in at The Barley Mow, we set off towards the Sussex Downs, a land full of chalk and flint and many beech groves. We were aware that this area is a favourite for Fallow Deer, but we saw none, probably they took cover on hearing our approach. We made a circular tour around Watergate House. The original House was built in the 16th Century but destroyed by fire in 1942 and only rebuilt in the latter part of the last century. Some evidence of ancient barns and gardens still exist. From there we headed for Piglegged Row and up the lane to Pitlands Farm. Beyond Pitlands farm the footpath forked in the middle of a field, marked by a stone cairn (or probably more correctly, just a pile of rubble) and a signpost. Here walkers had to endure a tale about the formation of flint at the bottom of the ocean before they moved on to a secluded picnic spot up in Inholmes Wood. After a wander along the crest of this wooded hill we emerged with distant views across the fields before descending down for a lunch in The Barley Mow.

Right, pre-walk check - who's got the first aid kit ?

Heading out

Heading for Watergate Park

First sight of Watergate

Watergate Park

Autumn's here

Entering Watergate Hanger.

Just wandering along

Near Watergate were some White Guinea fowl, especially fond of snapping up the ticks that spread Lyme Disease. The ticks live in tall grass where they sit waiting for a passing walker to unwittingly provide a tasty meal.

Path junction coming up

Barely believable tales of how worms helped to make flint

Here's my story!

Never heard that story

That's a good one!

Hilarious!

Hiding in the woods

Drinks stop's over, let's get walking

Inholms Wood

Looking for that perfect photo spot

View from the end of Inholms Wood - on a good day the Isle of Wight and a fort are clearly visible.

Food at last.

About 5 miles.

Singleton and the Deer Park 17th November 2021

Peter's Strollers met in the Deer Park car park, where we later had lunch. We first headed towards Harting, but after less than a quarter of a mile, dived into a wood towards Down Park Farm. After admiring some ancient machinery, we turned North and walked along the boundary of the West Heath Quarry before reaching the route of the old Midhurst to Petersfield Railway (which closed in 1955). The old railway route took us back towards Durford Mill. With the kind permission from Sky Park Deer Farm, we had our drinks on the bank of the River Rother, then looped around and headed through the deer park before finally walking past Rival Lodge and reaching the Deer Park for lunch.

Gathering in the car park

Just won't start, could be a flat battery?

West Heath Quarry

Hope you're lichen this photo .

On top of the railway embankment was a very old tree root.

Looking very comfortable

Oh dear, looks like we went the wrong way .

The punishment should always suit the crime but "Trespassers will be melted in boiling lava" seems a bit over the top

Handy tables by the Rother

Treading past the new broad beans.

Resting in the sunshine

Passing Rival Lodge

Back for lunch.

Just over 3 miles.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Isabel's group started in Singleton village and walked through the cricket ground and straight on over the old railway line and upwards via Hat Hill, stopping from time to time to enjoy the view. We circled round Downley Cottage and gradually made our way downhill to the Chichester road, passed Drovers and went up Levin Down. The final stretch was downhill back to Singleton. Lunch was taken in The Royal Oak.

Starting out

Just leaving the green at Singletgon

Midhurst to Chichester railway line, shut to passengers in 1935 and final freight near Lavant stopped in 1991.

Yup, the trains went under this bridge.

Puttocks Copse

Passing Downley Cottage

Sheds at Downley Cottage

Glorious Autumn colours

Fantastic old beech with fungi at the Drovers

Lunch!

Farnham walk 10th November 2021

Geoff and Kathryn led an interesting walk in pastures new, in and above Farnham. The forecast predicted a 10% chance of rain during the morning and in some ways it was correct but only if a heavy mist/drizzle counts as 10% rain! Starting from the car park in Farnham we headed for Dippenhall before turning north. We were now in the area of the Old Deer Park, established around 1138, so that the Bishop Henry and King John had somewhere convenient to hunt when staying in the newly built Farnham Castle. Part of our walk was on a pilgrimage route between Winchester and Canterbury, the Farnham to Winchester segment being renamed St Swithun's Way in 2002, in honour of Bishop Swithun of Winchester. The other part of the Pilgrims Way to Canterbury followed the route of an even older path called the Harrow Way, a stone age path from Dover to Seaton in Devon. After looking at the remains of Farnham Castle and walking part of the Harrow Way, we had absorbed so much history that we had to make our way down into Farnham Town and the much more familiar Castle Street, there to find some food in Bill's. We welcomed guests Jay and Lindsey on this walk and hope they realised wonderful views were available, but not on this day!

Bit of road work to start with.

Little bit misty over there

I'm sure the spots will go eventually...

I think I'll go this way

No, this way, there's sheep in this field!

Sheep looking sheepish.

Group photo, only one person hiding!

Refreshment time

Deep in the Old Deer Park

Here's a happy leader

Heading down Old Park Lane.

Crossing the top of Castle Hill

Farnham Castle, built in 1138 by Henri de Blois, Bishop of Winchester. The original building was demolished by Henry II in 1155 then rebuilt in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Visited by King John, Queen Elizabeth I, King James I, Charles II, Queen Victoria amongst others, and on 10th November 2021, by MFC.

Checking out the history of the route.

Walking the Avenue but this was originally the Harrow Way, dated by archaeological finds to 600–450 BC, although probably of Stone age origin.

Another ancient street, now polluted with Motor Cars

Appetites at the ready

About 4.5 to 5 miles

Trundle walk 3rd November 2021

The weather was absolutely superb for Celia and Miguel's walk from Lavant village up towards the Trundle. We started out from Sheepwash Lane, next to an almost completely dry River Lavant, in spite of all the recent rain. Near to Sheepwash Lane is The Earl of March pub, supposedly where William Blake composed the words to Jerusalem. "and did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England's mountains green" whilst gazing out of the window and quaffing an ale. Our route took us past the site of a Dame School in East Lavant and up Pook Lane before turning left up Chalkpit Lane. We eventually made the decision to make the final ascent to the Trundle, where we were rewarded with fine views of Goodwood Racecourse and beyond in one direction and The English Channel and the Isle of Wight in the other direction. We decided to descend to the Trundle car park for our drinks break. Adjacent is a house rebuilt around 1990 called The Rubbing House - originally known as The Rubbin' House, it being the place where the horses were rubbed down after ascending Chalkpit Lane. Our descent was via The West Sussex Literary Trail, but we only did about 2.1/2 of the 55 miles before reaching our cars back in Lavant. Several walkers felt they needed refuelling so they stopped on the way home in the Royal Oak.

Starting out

River Lavant, dry despite the Rother and the Itchen having had notably high rates of flow for the time of year.

Sheepwash Lane

And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England's mountains green?

Glint of the sea on the horizon.

Red Admiral, probably travelled here from Europe.

Top of the hill, once a Neolithic enclosure between 3,000 to 10,000 years BC ago. The sea water was then 120 metres lower than today and the Isle of Wight was joined to the mainland. If emissions continue on their current track, Portsmouth will be under water in 80 years. Best stay up on the hill for now!