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Today we did Kathryn's walk from Tilford Green to Frensham Little Pond and back. Despite recent poor weather, the day was excellent for walking. Starting out from Tilford Green, we took the footpath alongside the River Wey until we reached the Meadow Farm area. Here the path diverted and went between areas set aside for pigs, who really seemed to enjoy the mud. Luckily the path was not affected and we soon reached the cafe at Frensham Little Pond, with excellent seating for our drinks break. Suitably refreshed we tried visiting the various shops and displays at Pierrepoint Home Farm, before being shooed away by an over zealous tarmac laying man! Tankersford Common and Farnham Nature Reserve led us eventually to Tilfordmill Bridge where we diverted onto the Medieval Waverley route, thus leading us back to Tilford Green. Lunch in the Barley Mow with excellent coffee next door. The walk was just under 5 miles.
The weather certainly looked very poor for Tim and Jane's walk. After changing the start point to the National Trust car park, we eventually settled for walking along to the Kennels entrance to the park, determined to see at least one deer. After climbing up towards the hill overlooking the Boat House we decided to head for the woods near the Lower Pond as there were deer herds visible in the distance. Thinking we would have a quick coffee and head for the pub very early, we found the rain had eased so changed our minds and headed for the deer herds. We were not disappointed as the deer were not too annoyed with our presence and the sun even managed an appearance. We carried on to the path just below Upperton and then headed for the Upper Pond, with magnificent views of Petworth House in the distance. With the weather still being very kind to us, we felt it wise to head back to the car park, before it changed its mind. It was then a short drive to The Angel Inn where we enjoyed an excellent lunch.
Our walk from Finchdean started out from the George Inn and headed up the Chalton Road. Walk leader Mark soon directed us onto a footpath that passed through Wick Hanger and turned north before Blendworth. Soon we crossed the road again through to Wick Farm. After climbing up a little way we found a suitable spot to have a drink stop before the final ascent to the Folly, to be rewarded with fine views, with Idsworth Church down in the valley and a solitary Red Kite up above. After a walk down (where we met a large group of fellow walkers on the way up!) we eventually reached Idsworth Church and had a quick look inside. Turning south on Staunton Way brought us to Markwells Wood and eventually South Holt Farm. The uphills were now all behind us and we had a downhill walk back to the pub for a very pleasant lunch. The walk was around 4.75 miles, with good weather all the way.
We set off in the rain from The Queens Head in Sheet for Jay and Lindsey's adventure up towards Steep village. Firstly we walked through the Half Moon car park and briefly went beside the A272 before heading north to Burntash Farm. After going under the busy A3 we reached Kettlebrook Meadows, home of Sir Alec Guinness for many years. The area seems to have attracted many famous folk over the years - Kate Winslet, Mark Knopfler and several other household names. Reaching the Ashford Stream we then doubled back to reach Downgate Farm and the first of several stiles to test our mobility. Fortunately we all passed the test. A diversion into The Moors rewarded us with a great drinks stop. After negotiating Steep Farm we reached All Saints' church and eventually took the path bordering Bedales School and then onto a footbridge over the A3. A little further on and we were walking alongside the London to Portsmouth railway line and eventually found ourselves back at the Queens Head for a great lunch enjoyed by most. The walk was around 5 miles.
We had excellent walking weather for John's walk in Chalton, starting out from the Red Lion. A walk past the St Michael & All Angels Church (where one of our fellow walkers will be taking part in a guitar recital on Sunday link here:- Guitar recital ) took us on to The Sussex Border Path. At its high point on Chalton Down we saw an ancient tumuli - a Neolithic, Bronze or Iron Age burial site, the position chosen probably to show the high social status of the incumbents. We eventually left the Border Path and headed for a small tunnel which took us under the main Portsmouth to Waterloo Railway line. A short distance further on we found seating at the St Hubert's Church at Idsworth, handily placed for a drinks stop. A few yards further on and we were on Staunton Way, before diverting to find our second tunnel to bring us back to the correct side of the railway line. A bit of hacking was needed to help maintain a footpath and then we were on a straight line back to our starting point, although we were pleasantly surprised to see a recovering Denis coming to escort us back for the last 200 yards or so. Lunch at the Red Lion was a pleasant end to our adventure.