Gallery

Viewing galleries from October, 2024

Goodwood Walk on 23rd October 2024

Our walk to the Trundle at Goodwood, led by Mark and Jo, started by finding the route of the old railway line from Chichester to Midhurst. Luckily no trains have used this route since 1968, so we were quite safe! Travelling south we reached a junction with the New Lipchis Way, then turned uphill on the West Sussex Literary Trail. This led us to the lower slopes of the Trundle where there was an excellent pop-up coffee shop. With views as far as the sea and Chichester Cathedral in sight, a few felt they were quite high enough and declined to make the final assault to the very top. A party of 9 finally set off to reach the peak. The Trundle had human activity around 4,300 years ago but they didn't get around to building a fort until about 2,000 years ago. It wasn't until 1802 that someone had the bright idea of building a racecourse nearby. There is little evidence of a fort on the Trundle today, but it does have 2 large radio masts. We eventually descended and were reunited with the other well rested walkers. The route back down was on the Monarch's Way, past the walls and perimeter of the West Dean Estate. We finally reached the Selsey Arms where we all enjoyed a good lunch. The walk was over or under 5 miles, depending on your head for heights!

Duncton Walk on 16th October 2024

After meeting in the car park halfway up Duncton Hill, Jennifer successfully led us on a walk through Teaglaze, Waltham Down and Crown Teaglaze. The path was initially a challenge as fallen trees had blocked the footpath, but a diversion had been created by previous walkers so we were soon back on track. We then emerged into fields with great views north over Woolavington Down. At one point the map said we were crossing a Cross Dyke. There was no evidence of anything at all but evidentally many of these Bronze age earthworks have been destroyed by modern agriculture. We eventually turned south through the woods of Teaglaze and found a very long fallen tree which just managed to support the weight of  8 walkers but made creaking noises, so we didn't test it any further. Refreshed, we continued, made a sharp left hand turn and headed through woods and fields back towards the cars. At one point tumulii were on either side of our route, more evidence of ancient burials thousand of years before Stonehenge was even erected. We eventually reached the safety of our cars, having remained dry for the morning. A short drive took us to The Badger for a great lunch. The walk was about 5 miles.

Chalton Walk on 9th October 2024

From the Red Lion car park in Chalton, Jay led us on a walk through to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Taking the Staunton Way path we found our way through Chalton Park and eventually reached the Queen Elizabeth Forest.  After skirting the edge of the forest we turned up hill to eventually reach the site of a Roman Villa. Little remains today but it would originally have been an ideal spot for watching shipping in Chichester Harbour. Continuing on the Shipwrights Way we found our drink stop, upturned logs being available to most of us.

Refreshed we soon turned south and eventually found the Staunton Way once again. The more straighforward way was to return via the road but a diversion near to Newbarn Cottage avoided the traffic and took us through an area of large beech trees below Head Down Hanger where the strong sunlight trying to penetrate the canopy was a remarkable sight. We still had to do a road stretch before finding a path up to Chalton Peak and then on to the Red Lion where we were rewarded for our efforts with a great lunch. The walk was about 6 miles.

Walderton Skittles walk on 2nd October 2024

Denis arranged the skittles and led the 3.75 mile short walk to get back to The Barley Mow pub in time to have lunch, and play skittles before the pub closed in the afternoon. 

We walked up the main road to where the River Ems crossed the road, headed up Cooks Lane to pick up Monarch’s Way.  Although overcast, it was dry to allow us to enjoy the views of Walderton Down as we crossed the fields in a meandering route as the path across the field which had been ploughed.  We regrouped before entering the Inholmes Wood leaving the Monarch’s Way.  The route took us down one side of the valley and up the other surrounded by wild garlic in Woodbarn.  Leaving the woods we stopped at the table and seats beside the path with sea views to have our coffee break.  Continuing west, we walked past Watergate, crossed the road and were pleased we turned south rather than climb Watergate Hanger.  Recrossing the road we entered Watergate Park and got back to the path down to Cooks Lane and back to the pub. 

A huge thank you to The Barley Mow for allowing us to play skittles on their alley, and providing a lovely buffet.  The skittles event was won by Stuart on a coin toss having tied as top skittle demolisher with Tim.