Stedham walk on 19th November 2025

Arriving at Iping Common car park we huddled in our cars hoping that either the snow would stop or Isabel was going to change the walk to many, many circuits of the bar at the Hamilton Arms before lunch. However, after girding our loins, finding our umbrellas and dressing appropriately, we embarked on our walk. In the event the snow stopped in less than half an hour, so we had made the right decision, although it was replaced later by some rain. After taking the Serpent Trail over Stedham Common, we headed for Woolmer Bridge but then headed south for Quags Corner near Minsted - not to be confused with the Quags Corner near Horsham. Quag is an archaic term for a marsh or bog, but in spite of the earlier snow we found it reasonably easy walking. We then followed the fence shielding us from the extensive sandpit on Mitchells Common and eventually emerged at Fitzhill where we could see snow had settled on Harting Down. A field with a few horses in it showed no sign of snow but the horses looked cold and damp and disappointed we had no food for them! After crossing the Elsted road we soon found a suitable stopping point for a drinks break. Suitably refreshed, we skirted the edge of Trotton Common before eventually turning east and then reaching Iping Common and our parked cars. In spite of the weather we found the walk very rewarding. After a short drive to The Halmilton Arms anyone suffering from the cold weather soon warmed up and we all had some delicious Thai food from the extensive menu.

Shall we walk??

OK then, let's get cracking!

Serpent Trail, here we come!

Maybe the snow has stopped, but the rain still hung around

Harting Down, with a slight dusting of snow

I may have a fur coat, but it's just not enough

They're whiskers I think, not icicles

We could be a Rag of horses, String of horses, Harras of horses, Stable of horses, Stud of horses, Herd of horses, Troop of horses or a Team of horses. BUT WE'RE ALL WET AND COLD!