Viewing galleries from October, 2018
Pete did a well researched walk that left Singleton and headed uphill to Levin Down on a beautifully clear sunny day. After crossing the road at The Drovers the walk went up through Wellhanger Copse, Puttocks Copse and Warren Hanger before dropping into The Dean for a pleasant lunch. On the way a couple of injured birds were safely placed out of harms way. After lunch walkers took a stroll through the West Dean Gardens and the Weald and Downland Museum before finally returning to Singleton. Thanks to Isabel and Marian for the photos. Total 7.3 miles, In the Weald and Downland Museum is a flour mill, powered by a large cast iron water-wheel. The wheel did not come from the great industrial north but was actually cast at the Cocking Foundry, which was about 1/2 mile north of the nearby village. Crosses in the Cocking church cemetry are also believed to have been made in the Cocking Foundry.
Mary and Barbara led this walk from The Rose and Crown in Upper Farringdon, firstly to All Saints Church in the village. This church once had Gilbert White as the rector - when he wasn't busy writing The Natural History of Selborne, supposedly the 4th most published book in the English language. The churchyard also contains one of the oldest yews in the country, somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Next to the churchyard is a huge building built by a previous very eccentric vicar, now called Massey's Folly. The walk from Farringdon to Chawton included a coffee stop in a nicely decorated railway arch. Once in Chawton a visit to the St Nicholas churchyard was compulsory. Resting here are Jane Austen's mother as well as her sister Cassandra. Jane Austen did not publish in her own name but is considered by many to be the best female author of all time. Jane often visited friends in Upper Farringdon and it is likely that is the route our somewhat damp walkers took to get back to The Rose and Crown for an excellent lunch. Thanks to Barbara and Isabel for the photos.
Marian, Linda, June and Maddie led this walk on a very nice sunny day. A good mix of agriculture, animals and some very pretty Sussex cottages. Also spotted were some standing stones but walkers were not fooled, they were the work of Neil Lawson Baker, a retired surgeon. Lunch was at the Fox and Hounds and the walk was around 6 miles in total. Many thanks to Marian and Isabel for the photos.
Celia and Miguel led us from Sheepwash Lane in Lavant up to the lower slopes of the Trundle in glorious sunshine. We went via Chalkpit Lane with shrubs still to be identified and also a very nice juniper bush carrying plenty of ripe berries. Coffee break was the car park below the Trundle with marvellous views as far as Bognor, Chicester and the Isle of Wight and perhaps a glimpse of the legendary Nab tower, marking the Eastern entrance to the Solent. We then headed over Hayes Down to join the West Sussex Literary Trail to take us back to Sheepwash Lane, although there was no water to wash sheep in the completely dry River Lavant. Lunch was taken back in The Royal Oak in Midhurst.