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Viewing galleries from July, 2022

Birdham Morning and Day walks 27th July 2022

Marian and Linda's walk proved very popular and a large group took a wander around the north edge of the marina before cutting back to order our lunch in The Boat House Cafe. We then walked along Birdham Pool before turning down Broomers Lane to find our drinks break stop in Birdham Churchyard. Weather was sunny, so shady spots were at a premium! Heading west we skirted Westlands before finding the Chichester Channel once again, following The New Lipchis Way to look at the boats in Birdham Pool. After crossing the causeway we took Lock Lane to eventually find Egremont Swing Bridge and over to the main Marina and our lunch spot. They looked after us very well, even though we were earlier than our booking. By the time we reached ours cars once again we had walked 4 miles. After lunch a small group headed in the opposite direction towards Dell Quay which added a further 5 or 6 miles.

Mustering

Taking the path around the north of the marina

Time for a group portrait

Hiya!

Mummy swan showing cygnets how difficult some people find it to float on water

Shady drinks spot at Birdham Church

A thorn ?

This ancient tree, Cupressus sempervirens was rumoured to have been brought back from the crusades in the early middle ages, however there are more probable explanations.

Path at the back of Westlands

He can build a nice boat, but he can't spell

Plenty of bass in the harbour, sizes vary

This must be the size of the bass fishing boat

Chichester Ship Canal coot

Great lunch

Famous Five go on an Adventure. (Day walkers heading for Dell Quay)

So where is Chichester Cathedral?

"Is that it over there?"

"Could be that pointy bit over there"

With seating available, it's time for a rest.

Following the Chichester Channel, Dell Quay in sight

Chalton Day Walk 22nd July 2022

The long walkers met up at the Queen Elizabeth Park car park eager to get going and enjoy the sunshine without the searing heat of the previous two days. We walked the Shipwrights Way up the South Downs Way where we encountered a sheep extolling its virtues, but Paul thought it would be a bit tough, even with mint sauce. The descent to New Barn Lane was a relief followed by another hill with the chance to buy some flapjacks that looked tempting but nobody carried any cash to buy any. Our route turned south down through Head Down Plantation exiting onto a golden barley field with a buzzard soaring over the Newbarn Hanger. The bridle path that left the road next to the London to Portsmouth railway lead us to St Michael and All Angels church and The Red Lion in Chalton. The church was built in the late 11th or early 12 century to a typically Norman design. The pub is believed to be one of the oldest in Hampshire, dating from at least the 16th century. The pub, refreshments and food were all excellent. During the relaxed repass we decided to change the route back and instead headed up Windmill Hill to climb the steep hill and admire the views. A local farmer corrected our paltry knowledge about cereal crops on our way up. On the way down another minor detour found us in the Butser Ancient Farm visiting the stone age, bronze age, iron age, Roman and Saxon experimental archaeological buildings that they have built on the site over the last fifty years. The buildings are based on archaeological finds in the surrounding area. We received a fascinating insight into the making of oak roof shingles from the volunteers. The walk was 9.62 miles and we climbed 1669 ft (500m).

Leaving QE car park

On the Southdowns Way

Can you guess which walker is also a fisherman?

Out of the wood, into the barley.

Above Chalton Down

More barley

Staunton Way, approaching Chalton

St Michael and All Angels.

Red Lion, one of the oldest pubs in Hampshire.

Well deserved lunch.

Fuelled by lunch, the walkers decided to tackle Windmill Hill.

Halfway up

Aha - there it is!

with great views

The fascinating Butser Ancient Farm.

Too late for lunch

Oak shingle maker

A pet with benefits

Chalton Down, heading for the car park.

Milland Morning walk 20th July 2022

The Milland walk was a little slow starting as we had a delay placing our food order in The Rising Sun. However, we eventually got under way and headed up Wardley Lane, then turned to walk through the delightful Hatch Copse. We took a detour before we reached the road to have a look at a large house that has seen better days, supposedly once a haunt of very famous film stars many years ago. The trip up the narrow Milland Lane was achieved without incident before we turned towards Maysleith, once home to Hugh Gaitskell, one time leader of the Labour Party, a great friend of John Betjeman but probably not a great friend of Ian Fleming. It was at this point we stopped for our break and for some dog information from a passer-by. We then headed south, crossing the road to skirt Marsh Wood, then taking the footpath through Chorley Common, not to be recommended for its stiles! Lunch was taken by many in The Rising Sun, where the food was very tasty.

Heading out along the Fernhurst Road

Wardley Lane

Conditions were sunny but not too hot

First stile to be conquered

Some people just take a single bound!

Re-hydration stop in Hatch Copse

A nice shady glade

A quick diversion to look at a large house in need of some TLC

Gardener needed, needs to have own ladder

Still wondering if we should club together and make an offer.

Nice shady spot near Maysleith

Maysleith, now a Grade II listed building.

Gazing at Maysleith from across the field.

Crossing the stream in Chorley Common

Well fed, awaiting the coffee.

Cocking Walk on 13th July 2022

With a heatwave throughout the south-east, Pauline wisely took the decision to start our walk at 9.15am. After parking in the Blue Bell in Cocking we crossed the road and wandered down Mill Lane, not quite being able to peer through the hedge enough to get a good view of the amazing sculptures in the Sculpture studio garden. From there we were crossing fields, many with Broad Beans which seemed to be begging for water. We eventually reached Leggs Farm and Heyshott Church before heading for Marsh Pond where a very long seat was good for a stopping point for a drinks break. The temperatures had been rising a little and from this point we were mostly in the shade of trees after turning at Walkers Farm and heading towards Cocking, via Hoe Copse. Back in Cocking, the Bluebell was a little cooler and we very much enjoyed some excellent food at excellent prices, glad the portions were not too big as we ended up with some Birthday cake that mysteriously appeared. A great walk with our Birthday Girl, about 4.1/2 miles.

Any claim for a broken foot will be countered with a tyre abuse charge.

Setting off at 9.15!

Nice topiary down Mill Lane

The broad bean fields had great areas of daisies in them.

Broad bean field (or more correctly, field beans).

Quick stop in Hampshire Copse for a water check.

Luckily we have a horse whisperer amongst us who can chat to the locals.

Ancient yew at Heyshott Church

Marsh Pond, Heyshott - what's that over there?

Just a huge carp taking a cruise in the shallows

Time for a drink break and a photo

Having a stroll past Walkers Farm

Marbled White, great lovers of purple flowers

Heading back to Cocking through Hoe Copse

Inside the Blue Bell - artist of the month is----Barbara Jensen!

Happy walkers ready to eat their lunch

Someone got ambushed by one cake - and then another one!

Oh well, it's not every day you're 21!

Ebernoe Common, Balls Cross Walk 6th June 2022

The walk started out from The Stag Inn. Jay led us through Langhurst and Ebernoe Common, not the easiest of paths to follow and with a surprising number of fallen trees in our way. However this area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, partly as 14 of the 16 native species of bat live in it, many dependent of loose bark being available. After a few detours we arrived safely at The Holy Trinity Church in Ebernoe for a deserved drink stop. This church was built in 1867 at a cost of £1200. Another loop took us around Ebernoe House and then back to the area of the church where we found an oak and a beech tree living in apparent harmony in the same spot. The beech seems to occupy the lower spaces, whereas the oak was generally much higher. From this point our route was generally across farmland. A minor road eventually returned us the The Stag Inn, for a very pleasant lunch in the garden. The walk was about 5.1/2 miles.