Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

West Dean and Trundle Christmas Party walks

 With our Christmas party being in the Selsey Arms in West Dean it seemed a good place from which to start our walks. The more energetic members chose to conquer the Trundle, the large hill that overlooks Goodwood horseracing course. The other members chose a flatter walk along the  tracks towards Lavant.   

We all set off together and parted ways  along the Monarch's Way, next to the West Dean park wall.  The Monarch's Way is roughly based on King Charles escape route to Europe but why he wanted to ascend The Trundle is anyones guess. We reached the lower slopes and were much tempted to have a drinks stop, but bravely voted to top the Trundle first. At the top the views were fairly good but there were a number of dark clouds heading our way and there was also a strong wind. A quick circuit of the site of the Iron age hill fort and we retreated to a sheltered corner further down to have our refreshments. We turned down onto The New Lipchis Way for a gentle descent and as we reached the bottom of the valley, we turned north and headed for the pub.

Meanwhile the shorter walkers had taken the valley route towards Lavant and then turned back along the route of the Midhurst to Chichester railway that closed to passengers in 1935. Some of the walkers were a bit nervous about ghost trains still running. Can't think why........What's that? Part of the line was used for goods up until 1991. A nice walk, perhaps because they had no hill to climb, but it also meant they got back to the pub a lot earlier! We had a spendid Christmas lunch and were joined by several of our social members, which made it even more special. Pauline had organised a Secret Santa so we had a difficult time trying to chose a mystery present after our lunch, so we all left the premises fairly full, a little tired and clutching a Christmas gift!

Trundle top walkers gather at the start

Valley walkers also ready to go

All leaving together from West Dean

Top walkers heading ever upwatrds

Going uphill is still warm walk on a cold day

It's no good using a silly hat as a disguise

On top of The Trundle

Lovely view down to Goodwood racecourse

Just a drop to keep out the cold..

Descending Haye's Down

On Haye's Down and heading for the pub

On the LEFT😊 - Old Man's Beard

Perhaps that wee dram at break time was stronger than we thought!

About 4.8 miles, 500 ft ascent

Even the flat walkers had a bit of hill

Walking at the bottom of Haye's Down

Poor sheep, always looking sheepish

No mud on this path

Old Man's Beard - sadly called a weed

A sunny day, but still a nip in the air

Centurion way follows the old Chichester to Midhurst railway line

Where shall we turn now?

I'll just keep an eye out behind us......

Is that a train light?

About 3 miles

Party time!!

Organizer deserves to be Santa

Santa with elf

This party is a cracker!

We can see you!

So many choices

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