Gallery

Viewing galleries from May, 2022

Walderton walk on 25th May 2022

Bernard and Celina's walk started at The Barley Mow, Walderton and headed up Woodlands Lane on a newly tarmacked road that the Council finished in time for our walk. The bridleway followed the edge of Watergate Hanger and a lush wheat field, before turning east, descending the Hanger and through Watergate. No sign of Nixon or intrepid journalists, but some white guinea fowl made up for it. Drizzle and wind guided our decision to stop for our coffee break at a memorial table and benches with views over Walderton to contemplate our lunch. From there we walked through Woodbarn wood and Inholmes Wood before joining the Monarch Way to Stoughton in the footsteps of King Charles II as he fled Parliamentarian troops and escaped to France in 1651. As we made excellent time, we took time to visit the largely complete 11 th Century Norman church, St Mary’s at Stoughton and a Giles Gilbert Scott 1935 design, red telephone box still with a telephone in it. In order to burn off some calories and make room for lunch we took a short detour up the other side of the valley up into Walderton Hill Plantation before a grateful return to the hostelry that fed and watered us handsomely.

Some were very eager to get started

This is the way to go, says walk leader

A bucolic scene, all we need is a sheepdog

Strolling the field above the Watergate Hanger

A distant view of the sea

Luckily they're not doing the walk leading today

Descending Watergate Hanger

No President Nixon at Watergate House, just a white guinea fowl,

Climbing up towards Piglegged Row

Maybe it rained a little

View over Walderton of the distant sea

"Hello - any chance of a cab?"

St Mary's Church at Stoughton. Has 6 bells. No safe parking near the church due to the unmarked graves and vaults, otherwise your visit may be longer than intended.

The energetic walkers needed another hill before lunch

Walderton Down

Back at last

Yum yum at the Barley Mow

About 5.1/2 miles, 270m of ascent.

Thursley and Heyshott Walks on 18th May 2022

The Thursley Day Walk started with a panic as we arrived at the start to discover the army were on manoeuvres and had closed the main car park. With Andy on 'car park' direction duty and some off-roading by Jay to get to the start, we eventually all assembled safely in the lower car park. We set off east across Thursley Common, then north over Ockley common, with beautiful views towards Farnham, arriving at the Little Barn Cafe in Elstead for a lunch in the garden in glorious sunshine, alongside some army chaps sneaking a bit of lunch. The afternoon session took us past the historic Westbrook farm and Barn and down to Hankley Common, passing the fishing ponds (great demonstration by Paul) and the golf club which was busy with a tournament taking place. After passing through the golf course and witnessing a very obedient golf trolley following its owner, we arrived at The Atlantic Wall training area - used by Canadian Troops in WW2 for practice before D Day. With gunfire in the distance, we trooped back to the car park passing many tents and army vehicles along the way. Amusement of the day involved watching an army chap drive off to exit the site, then returned past us as he'd forgotten the key to the gate! The walk was about 8 miles.

At last, ready to go!

Pointing not quite coordinated!

Those boots were made for walkin'

Drinks break

Let's get out of here.

Group photo

Elstead Church

Westbrook Farmhouse, 17th Century, or earlier

Fishing break at Stockbridge Pond

"It was this big, but it got away!"

More work from the Canadians during WW2

Manoeuvres in progress.

Mmmmmm, bit more capacity than a motorbike

Heading for the car park

Surely not a posed photo!?

Phew, lucky to escape in one piece

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Isabel's select group of four on the morning walk started from the Unicorn Pub in Heyshott and walked through fields, woods and farm land. We had plenty of clear views of the South Downs, but were quite pleased not to be climbing up the hills as the weather turned progressively warmer during the morning. Sadly the bluebells and cowslips had finished flowering, but we did see plenty of wild flowers, cows, goats and two deer. On our return, we enjoyed our lunch at the Unicorn Pub. The walk was about 5 miles.

Select group starting out from the Unicorn

Break time

Now, where did I put my Thermos?

Interesting camping spot

Is this cow just plain tired - or is rain on its way?

Just a little place in the country

Nice to find a bit of shade

"Since that shower of rain, I just can't do a thing with my hair!"

Back for lunch in The Unicorn

Marley Walk 11 May 2022

Jean's walk started out from The Mill Tavern in Shottermill and took walkers through Camelsdale village and up Marleycombe Road before reaching Marley Common and a point high above Kingsley Green. The route was then a climb up through to Cognor Wood and then a gradual descent to a point above Linchmere Marsh. Another climb up to Marley and then a final descent down through Brinksway and on to The Mill for a good lunch. The walk was a little over 4 miles.

Ready to go.

Gathering the flocks

Walkers keen to take the "Fancy a swift one" path

What was so amusing??

Top of Marley Common, with a view for miles.

A little bit of wind damage

A whole lot more damage

Walkers saw this one was in danger, but managed to save it with a big heave

A very old man-made pond in the middle of nowhere

Time for a drink on some handy seats

Time for a hop

More trees on the path

But plenty stayed upright

Belted Galloways, not called George, thankfully

Someone trying to outsmile the bluebells!

Little damp towards the end of the walk

Nice bit of gardening up Brinksway way

The Mill Tavern

Duncton walk 4th May 2022

The Cricketers in Duncton was the start of Isabel's wander around the countryside. We headed down the A285 before turning into the grounds of Seaford College. The Building has had many residents since the original building erected in the late 16th C, including many bishops and lords. Luckily the Canadian Soldiers billeted there during WW2 had old locks and weirs in Loxwood on which to practice demolition, so the building survived very well. We enjoyed walking through the College grounds before turning north towards Parsons Wood and Upper Norwood. Early Purple Orchids were plentiful throughout the morning with many Spotted Orchids also seen but not yet in flower. After traversing the Lavington and Duncton Commons we crossed the road again to take the Serpent Trail towards Burton Park. The tiny 11th C church next to Burton Park house has a painting inside supposedly of St Uncumber (aka St Wilgefortis) who was crucified by her father for growing a beard. Seems a bit excessive.

After joining the West Sussex Literary Trail, we ambled back to the Cricketers Arms for a splendid lunch. The pub name was changed to The Cricketers by the landlord, a certain John Wisden in 1867, author of the famous Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.