Gallery

Viewing galleries from April, 2021

Bubble walks on 28th April 2021

Celia led a beautiful scenic walk of just about four miles, covering parts of the West Sussex Literary Trail and the Monarchs Way walk. On reaching the Goodwood Seven Points we stopped to take in the great view, the flowers and fauna, some memorials and of course have a coffee break. Lots of new born lambs along this popular route, arriving back at Binderton just as the first rain for quite some time started.

Mustering at the start

Mummy's trying to remember the name of those flowers.

But us lambs call them common water crowfoot, lodewort, ram's foot, ram's wort, water anemone or water snowcups.

Climbing up the West Sussex Literary trail.

Plenty of choice

That's the Chichester Cathedral over there!

Resting before the descent.

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Tim and Jane's walk started from the Durleighmarsh Farm Shop car park and then took a walk along the side of the A272 before finding a little used footpath going south. Across a river, through a field until we eventually found the remnants of a bridge once used to carry trains from Petersfield to Midhurst. After following the track for a while we found the side road that passed the Skye Park Farm, soon to be opened up as a visitor attraction and a source of venison.. Deer were plentiful in several fields, until we turned across a field of tiny broad beans plants. After crossing the river we went past the site of the Durford Abbey before crossing the A272 to look at the bluebells. Back in the car park we all enjoyed some refreshment in the cafe. On the walk were 3 brand new members, Geoff and Kathryn from Camelsdale and Catherine from Liss. We also welcomed 2 guest walkers, Andy, Catherine's other half and Bernard, a Midhurst resident.

What are you all doing in MY field?

Remains of the bridge used by Petersfield to Midhurst trains from 1860 until 1955.

Subject to government guidelines...

Plenty of deer around.

Social distancing strictly observed, helped by broad beans.

A stop for drinks on the banks of the Rother.

Site of Durford Abbey, a chequered history from 1161 until 1536 when it was dissolved by the King Henry VIII

Ah, that's better!

Bubble walks on 21st April 2021

Isabel led a lovely walk of four and half miles, starting from Cowdray Farm shop, with a steady climb uphill past Loves farm to Whitter’s Copse, the wild flowers and rape seed fields are just coming into bloom to enhance some stunning views. After a coffee stop it was a gradual downhill back into Easebourne.

Small bubble this week

The Race

Heading for Loves Farm

Why doesn't that horse in the middle just fall over?

Oil seed rape in bloom

Proper seats for a rest

Time for a proper stop

A beautiful day for a ramble.

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Den led the larger than usual group for a ramble over Midhurst common via the newly refurbished skatepark, pausing on Sunset hill before crossing the A272. Once over the river we climbed up the the old Polo grounds before walking through the village and down to Stedham Mill and a welcome drinks break. The route then went along the river Rother to Woolbeding Bridge before finding the A272 once again and dropping down back to The Grange car park. We had a guest walker Wendy with us who is new to Midhurst. The walk was about 5 miles.

Newly rebuilt skateboard park being formerly opened by the mayor

Sunset Hill

Anyone know the name of this dog?

Polo grounds once owned by Kerry Packer

No shortage of honeysuckle in Stedham

Stedham village

Drinks break.

New members!

Woolbeding Bridge, same 15th/16th C builders as Habin Bridge about 3 miles upstream.

Bubble walks on 14th April 2021

Pauline and Tim happened to discover they were both walking in the same area and with a little bit of preparation, mostly by Pauline, we had a joint walk. However to maintain a bit of distancing, the two groups walked in opposite directions. The route was fairly easy, starting from the Grange car park with the two loops going to the Severals and after some adjustments, we all met for a drinks break. The weather was very good and we were able to welcome guest walker Catherine.

Pauline's walk

Perfect weather for a spring walk

Does anyone know what this is??

And then we bumped into all these people. So much explaining to do.

But a nice spot for a picnic

and a chat.

Spring is here.

Pitsham Lane

Pitsham Lane again?

New Pond

Tim's walk

Starting out from South Pond

Portraits taken near South Pond

This field is sometimes full of sunflowers

I can see you!!

I'm lichen this photo!

Should we really be letting Tim clear the land mines?

What a gathering!

Damp ground on the Severals

Tramping through the pines.

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Peter’s walk in and around Fernhurst through farmland and woods, with many ponds and country views, good weather for walking, about 4.5 miles.

Walk start from Vann road car park

One of many ponds

Stick Man!

Peek-a-Boo

A tall mans style.....................................Is that small horse stealing from Peter's pocket?

Coffee break at Hurstfold Surney?

Beautiful Marsh Marigolds

View to Blackdown Hill

Fernhurst Church, St Margaret of Antioch, Norman

Bubble walks on 7th April 2021

This week Celia and Miquel led their bubble walk, starting from Iping Common car park, towards Stedham Common, the Severals, across the A272 to Woolbeding Bridge, then around Stedham. It was just less than five miles and back to the cars, where we decided it was much to cold to stop for a picnic lunch.

No, let's go that way!

The Severals

Bluebells are starting to bloom - or are they the Spanish variety??

A stop on the way to Stedham Mill

Stedham mill sluice gate

Stedham Mill

Stedham Hall - has anyone heard the rumour the Hitler hoped to live there, but never quite made it?

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Linda and Tim's walk started from Rogate Village Hall and headed South towards Habin.

After crossing the Rother twice the walk reached the church of St Peter, at Terwick.

Undergoing building work,hardly anything was visible of the church but it provided shelter from the cold wind for our coffee stop.

Then north through the Lupin field to Terwick Common and Fyning Hill

before dropping back down through Fyning Common and back to the car park. About 5 miles.

Car Park start

Walkers plough on.

Habin Bridge, built by monks from Durford Abbey in the 15th or 16th Century.

Church of St Peter at Terwick, probably 12th Century.

The first signs of the lupins in the outstanding lupin field next to the church.

You can't be too careful

The beautiful South Downs, from Fyning Common.

Bubble walks once again! 31st March 2021

After 3 months of lockdown we were allowed at last to meet up again. It must have been worthwhile to have the lockdown - Covid deaths on the day of our last bubble walk was 744, rising to 1,725 on 21st January but as walks re-started this figure had thankfully dropped to 43 on 31st March.

Pauline's walk started from the Grange car park where they met up with a few strays from the Easebourne walking group. After distant greetings, the group set off past South Pond and headed for Heyshott Common, returning via Dunford Hollow, a walk of around 4.1/2 miles

Ready to go our separate ways.

South Pond

It's going to be a sunny day.

Seen growing in the Wharf. (Cuckoopint OR American Skunk cabbage - anyone?)

Heyshott Common

Time for a break

Socially distanced stop.

Latest in house security maybe?

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The Easebourne walk led by Linda and Tim headed north via Budgenor towards Whitters Copse. The walk had been almost all uphill so we had a very pleasant drink stop before heading east towards Vining Common, with Midhurst just visible in the valley. Turning south we ended up in Easebourne Street which was actually quite busy, but lots of spring blossom to enjoy. After the 4.1/2 miles we felt we deserved a drink from the Cowdray Cafe, sitting of course in the outside park area!

Heading up towards Whitters Copse

Well earnt chocolates - thanks Maddie!

Aha - flat walking at last, heading for Vining Common

No, my hairdresser didn't go home early, it's my blanket cut to stop me glowing too much in the hotter weather.

Pheasant, happy the shooting season has now ended.

Early hawthorn.

Blooming magnolia in Easebourne Churchyard.

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Peter’s bubble back together again, starting from Woolbeding carpark and following the footpath to Woolbeding Wood and then following the New Lipchis Way along the River Rother on to Stedham. An enjoyable spring walk.