Gallery

Viewing galleries from October, 2022

Tillington Walk on 26th October 2022

The Tillington walk led by Jay was dry all morning in spite of rain before the walk started. We met just above the Horse Guards Inn, then walking along Cemetery Lane to find the footpath that went to the vineyards of the Roebuck Estate. Pitshill soon came into view, now owned by Hon Charles Pearson. The house was remodelled in the 18thC by the Mitford family (not necessarily the famous Mitford family who had estates in Northumberland), but fell into disrepair and needed much restoration when purchased by the current owners in 1997. The work was completed in 2016.

From there we headed for Roundabouts Farm and River Common before making the ascent through Upperton Common to the Monument at the edge of Petworth Park. Using the Upperton Gate, we gained access to the park that has one of the largest herds of fallow deer in the country. October is rutting time for fallow deer and we did hear some bellowing as the bucks tried to gather as many does as they could. We finally exited the Park at the New Lodge West gate and onto the A272 before cutting through the Tillington churchyard of All Hallows. From there it was a short car-ride to Halfway Bridge Inn for an excellent lunch. The walk was about 6 miles.

Boots on, ready to walk

Heading for the vineyards

We managed to resist the temptation to sample the sparkling wine just up the road.

Shell house, Pitshill and the Stables. All Grade II listed, including the park.

Roundabouts Farm

Nice picnic facilities

The Monument. More probably a folly used as a verderer's lookout. Late 18thC.

Lots of fallow deer

Buck eyeing up the potential

Climbing the hill towards Petworth House, with sunshine.

A clear day, but many clouds up above

"Now, I know it looks only that tall from here, but that Petworth House is enormous!"

Additionally it has a beer cellar underneath that is almost the length of the whole house.

Capability Brown re-designed the grounds at Petworth House in the 1750's

Exiting the park from the New Lodge West gate

Cyclamens prospering

All Hallows church

Great lunch in The Halfway Bridge Inn.

About 6 miles

Redford walk and AGM 19th October 2022

Pauline led the short walk from the Redford Village Hall on a thankfully sunny day. After walking down the road towards Milland, we turned onto the footpath to Slathurst Farm. Lambourne Lane was damp in places but still passable with a bit of care, but it did bring us eventually to Titty Hill, a singularly unusual name for a hill. A stop for a route discussion and a coffee stop and then across Stedham Marsh, which thankfully did not live up to its name. We then took the footpath behind the old Redford Post Office to return to the Redford Village Hall. Barbara, John and Jo had been working hard and we were greeted with amazing flower displays (all flowers from Jo's garden!) and an fantastic lunch in preparation. With a glass of prosecco and canapes, the walkers endured the AGM before tucking into salmon, followed by pear frangipane tart and coffee. The meal was an extraordinary feat by Barbara, Jo and John and was not only a super lunch at an excellent price, but also produced a profit for the club. We were all very appreciative of their efforts. Jo's charity, the Watoto Trust, is holding its Annual Fair 8-9th November in the Tithe Barn, Ditcham. GU31 5RQ and it is well worth a visit. After a chat and a look at old photo albums of the club, we eventually disbanded, well fed and watered, having walked about 3 miles in the morning.

Gathering at the start

Some idiot got the timing wrong, didn't he!

The lane to Slathurst Farm was a bit muddy

Lambourne Lane

Luckily someone knows the way

Approaching Titty Hill

Coffee stop

Very nice dalia show

Coffe stop chatter

"Do you like my new phone - it's got maps on it!"

Extraordinary life beneath our feet - Candlesnuff Fungus? Stedham Marsh.

If it's a Parasol Mushroom, its edible. Cap fried in breadcrumbs has a nutty flavour

After a short walk, we returned to the hall to find this feast awaiting

and a wee drink if you'd like one!

Kitchen hero

Serious business of the AGM

Thank you, Isabel!

Phew, formal stuff over, now for some food

Beautiful presentation and even better to eat!

About 3 miles

Tilford walk on 12th October 2022

After meeting up outside the Barley Mow, the walkers, led by Kathryn, crossed the Green and headed up the footpath towards Frensham Little Pond. The path firstly follows the River Wey before diverting to pass through Meadow End Farm which has a large collection of very large pigs, very entertaining! A little later we approached, with some trepidation, an area that is often flooded, with only a limited footbridge for assistance. Even with our dry summer, it was surprising to find it so completely dry. We reached Frensham Little Pond Cafe and enjoyed some buns and coffee before turning back towards Pierrepont Home Farm, crossing the Wey on a wooden footbridge en route. Cheese on the Wey is an artisan cheesemaker in the old dairy buildings at Pierrepoint Farm and it seemed a shame to miss the opportunity to taste some samples. Beyond Pierrepoint Farm is the Tankersford Common, an area looked after by the RSPB. To keep a variety of vegetation in check there are a number of "wild" Dun horses on the Common, a horse colour often found in prehistoric cave paintings. After walking through Farnham Heath Nature Reserve we crossed the road to walk down to Tilfordmill Bridge. Turning right we took the footpath that eventually brought us back to the green and The Barley Mow, where several walkers stayed for an efficient lunch. The walk was just over 5 miles.

Gathering on the green.

Autumn is here

River Wey on the way

"I just wonder if there's any more food in there"

Sometimes waders are needed, but not today.

Heading for Frensham Pond

Birds finishing our cake

"I can see you"

Checking out the birds.

River Wey crossing

The Cheese on the Wey shop

A Dun horse, with a black line along its back

Farnham Heath Nature reserve

Apparently is edible with a pleasant mushroomy taste. Shaggy Inkcap, must be eaten very young.

World War II bunker hidden in the undergrowth near Tilford Green.

Nearly there. Tilford Bridge, probably the oldest Packhorse bridge in the country.

About 5 miles

Portsmouth trip on 5th October 2022

Our trip to Portsmouth had a poor weather forecast but this didn't dishearten the walkers, with some people excited with the thought of travelling on a train for the first time for many months, even years! After the train ride, we walked through Gunwharf Quays before finding our way to the John Ponds memorial. An amazing man, crippled in a dockyard accident, he set up as a shoemaker, but in 1818 began giving poor children free basic education. He died in 1839 but his example set in motion a free schools movement ( The Ragged Schools) and by 1881 it is thought 300,000 children had been educated in a Ragged School, there being 200 throughout Britain. Charles Dickens was inspired to write A Christmas Carol after a visit to a Ragged School. With the Education Act of 1870, education gradually became free to all children and volunteer based Ragged Schools were no longer required.

A short walk down the road and we reached the Portsmouth Cathedral where we had a delightful guided tour by a volunteer. Many examples of the naval background of Portsmouth were present, with pieces on Nelson's flag, a cross made form HMS Victory and the grave of one seaman whose remains were found on the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545. From there we walked along the Millennium Trail, via Spice Island, back to The Old Customs House for a very good lunch. As we prepared to leave, the rain came down, but had stopped again by the time we reached the exit. The afternoon was free to shop or to visit the nearby Naval Shipyard. In the shipyard is an impressive boat restoration building, Boathouse No 4. Here we met up with a very knowledgeable guide who was kind enough to get us onto the pontoon and view some historic restorations, including a motor gun boat, available to hire. We just had time for a coffee before we had to get back to the station for the journey home.

Petersfield station

John Pounds workshop, rebuilt at the Unitarian Church in the High Street

So, what's in the window?

Crippled in a shipyard accident, John Pounds gave hundreds a basic education, sometimes 40 pupils crammed in his shop

Portsmouth Cathedral. The spire was never damaged during WW2 as it was a handy landmark when heading for the dockyard.

Grave of an unknown sailor from The Mary Rose, one of more than 450 who drowned when the boat capsized

The magnificent organ, originally built for Manchester Cathedral.

There is a fragment of the flag from HMS Victory in the Cathedral

From this spot, convicts went to Australia and New Zealand. Luckily not on Wednesdays!

Spice Island

Fish market on the quay

Tasty selection - and free ice if needed.

Lunchtime

HMS Warrior built in 1860 was the country's first steel hulled battleship. Redundant within 10 years, it never saw any action at sea.

Luckily the wind had died down enough for us to be allowed onto the pontoon outside Boathouse No. 4

High Speed rescue launch used in WW2. 13,000 airmen of all nationalities were rescued from the sea by these craft.

Motor Gun Boat 81. Incredibly fast, originally powered by 3 petrol engines, wooden hull. submarine hunter.

Pontoon party

Inside Boathouse No. 4, having a private tour.

All safely back to Petersfield

Lodsworth walk on 28th September 2022

Isabel's walk started from the centre of Lodsworth and we welcomed two guest walkers John and Maureen. We headed up School Lane and then took footpaths towards Grevatts and Vining Common. The path turns north and we took the turning towards Ovis common, where we found an ideal drinks break spot with seating for everyone and a long view over the Low Weald ahead of us. Suitably refreshed, we joined the Serpent Trail and carried on through Redlands Farm where we found several friendly polo ponies enjoying the grass. We followed the Serpent trail for another half mile before leaving it to walk down River Lane, turning again to head back towards Lodsworth, passing Eel bridge on the way. From here a 13 year old Ranulph Fiennes and his sister canoed down to the sea at Climping. However the journey had taken 2 days and his mother was somewhat annoyed! We eventually reached the village, having passed E.H. Shephard's house on the way. Lunch was at the Royal Oak, where we were pleased to met up with more MFC walkers.