Gallery

Viewing galleries from December, 2022

West Lavington Walk on 21st December 2022

This was the last walk for the year and Pauline and Linda had a route planned. Isabel had organised the lunch in the Royal Oak marquee. Starting off the rain looked to be heading towards us from the Chichester direction so we were well prepared for a damp walk. We walked the Serpent trail up Dunford Hollow and past Dunford House and Walkers Farm before heading into Goldballs Plantation and The Roughs. Reaching the old Midhurst/Pulborough railway line, we found a good spot to stop for a snack. A sample of 40/40 alcohol went well with a variety of very special nibbles that appeared from various rucksacks and we celebrated the forthcoming holiday in style. We next entered Todham Rough to eventually reach West Lavington. After some road walking we turned up to go past the Kennels and then on towards the Wharf. A climb brought us onto the road in West Lavington and this was the last muddy path we saw as we then took the road back to The Royal Oak. The walkers were joined by several other members of the club for a splendid Christmas lunch.

From this spot you can usually see the South Downs. Is that rain coming our way?

Well, maybe it will be a little damp

Welly boots can be really useful

But it wasn't always raining

Oh no! People in the woods - who's hiding over there?

Ah it's OK, they're with us.

Tramping down a gully

But at least there's no mud here.

It wasn't really as bad as it looks!

Time for a bite

and a wee drink

Break over, let's find a way to the pub

West Lavington, here we come

Bridge over untroubled water

No mud here

Cowdray House in the gloom

Bridge over the Midhurst to Pulborough railway line

Ah, back in the Pub

Happy Christmas!

About 5.2 miles.

Midhurst walk on 14th December 2022

Winter has at last arrived with frost everywhere and parts of the country covered in snow. This wasn't the case for us, but the temperature was around freezing all morning. Bernard led us from the Grange Centre in Midhurst up the Jubilee Path, on the New Road before finally turning off towards Midhurst Common, with the old Midhurst to Chichester railway sheds to our left. Passing under Sunset Hill, we briefly took the Serpent trail before crossing the A272 and taking the New Lipchis Way past Woolbeding House and the beautifully tended gardens. The walk follows the River Rother as far as the mill pond where we turned towards Midhurst town to find the Causeway leading to the ruins of Cowdray House. Building started from 1520 and the work was largely completed by about 1530. Famous visitors to this grand house were Henry VIII, Edward VI and Elizabeth I, amongst others. A fire in 1793 left the house the ruin we see today, although the decay has been controlled by restoration work in both the 20th and 21st centuries. We walked further along the Rother as far as The Wharf before heading back to the Grange car park. A good lunch was enjoyed in Red H, the restaurant now occupying the site of the old Three Horseshoes public house.

"Now, be very careful, there's some ice here"

"and be careful of hiding photographers"

Midhurst Common, on the Serpent Trail

Approaching Whiphill Wood, on the River Walk also known as the New Lipchis Way

Autumn colours still in Whiphill Wood

Woolbeding Glasshouse 21st Century, All Hallows 7th Century, probably then made of timber and thatch.

Cattle not especially interested in the folly on the hill

Walking through the valley described by Disraeli as "the greenest valley with the prettiest river in the world"

"and I'm the prettiest cow in the world"

"Fancy a Swift One" is the name given to some National Trust walks throughout the country

The sun was trying hard to melt the frost

Photographer setting up

Result!

Robin wasn't impressed

Mill pond and weirs on the Midhurst/Easebourne border.

The Causeway to Cowdray House ruins

Oh no, more ice!

Walk over, warm at last!

Thinks he's the cats whiskers

Cat Stevens?

About 4.1/2 miles.

Chichester Walls walk on 7th December 2022

As winter made its first appearance, we thought Chichester deserved a visit. Eastgate was the starting point of the ancient Roman road called Stane Street, which goes in an almost straight line to London Bridge, however we instead followed the East Wall of Noviomagus Reginorum. Noviomagus Reginorum was supposedly renamed by the Saxon invader Ælle, after his son, Cissa. Priory Park is in the top north east corner of the city wall and has a very pleasant coffee stop, near to the Guildhall, built as a Franciscan chancel in 1283. Suitably refreshed we wandered along the north wall before turning south and entering the Bishops Palace gardens and on to the Cathedral. Some magnificent memorials and windows to admire, as well as seeing the memorial to William Huskisson, the first man to ever die from a railway accident, in this case, Stephenson's Rocket. Huskinsson lived in Eartham House, about 7 miles away, on the old Stane Street route. We then returned to the Gardens to take the high path back to the entrance, from there to continue our circumnavigation of the city wall. There is not so much evidence of the wall on the south side and after a look into St John's Chapel, we were back at the start. Happily this coincided with our lunch stop in Carluccio's at East Gate, where we had an excellent lunch.

The Roman name for Chichester

Priory Park, East Wall

Priory park aviary, near our coffee stop.

No information on this ruin, but it makes a nice frame

Priory park, Franciscan chancel, now the Guildhall in the background

North Walls

Long story told here about the Hawkhurst gang, who left victims buried alive in Rake and Harting.

Seven were eventually captured in Chichester and six were hung in 1749.

At least another 70 were eventually hung or transported.

This memorial stone (Smugglers Stone) is just up the road towards Midhurst and records the burial spot of one gang member and the execution spot for another six.

The beautiful Bishops Palace Gardens

Giant Redwood

Flowers still making the best of the weather

Chichester Cathedral, roof under repair.

Leaving the Gardens and heading for the Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral, founded in 681, rebuilt in 1199. Copper roof now being replaced with lead.

Home to a number of pieces of ancient and modern art.

Stained glass in the South transcept. There is a more famous window elsewhere by Marc Chagall

We later found St Johns Chapel in St Johns Street. Built as an overflow chapel in 1813 with congregations of 500 and 600 in Victorian times but closed in 1973. Organ now being repaired.

Now being used as an art and cultural events, maintained by The Churches Conservation Trust.

Carluccio's

Marley walk 30th November 2022

Kathryn had hoped the mist would clear as we had some great views to admire. Setting off from The Mill Tavern in Shottermill we headed up towards Brinksway, but then turned east in the area of Marley House. Sadly the view over Cognor Wood and beyond towards Butser and the English Channel was limited to the bottom of the hill! The walking was very pleasant and in spite of recent rain, we had no problems at all with wet feet during the morning. We eventually stopped for a drinks break above Kingsley Green and the weather this side of the hill was slightly better, but still the long views were shrouded in mist. A loop around High Marley and we retraced our steps, with a few diversions, back down through Brinksway and back to the pub. A great meal was had, with some hilarity looking at early photographs.