Gallery

Viewing galleries from March, 2024

Chalton walk on 27th March 2024

A mere eight hardy souls gathered in the Fox Goes Free car park at Charlton for our short 3 mile walk. The weather forecast wind and rain, but we were bathed in sunshine on the way to the walk and we felt we were prepared for the heavens offerings. Setting off on Charlton Road past North Lane starting the climb up to Levin Down with the wind whistling around our ears, we took the left path once we were on the Down and took the benefit of the bench to get our breath back and admire the views across to Goodwood Grandstand and the Trundle. The rain started before we left Levin Down Clump so more rain gear was donned and erected for the rest our walk across the fields of Levin Down into Lady Wood. A perfectly placed fallen tree provided seating and table for our coffee break as the woods sheltered us from the increasing rain. By the time we left Lady Wood, the rain was certainly persistent but we were soon on a more solid track past Broadham House with it’s manicured garden when we turned onto the New Lipchis Way for a short while before choosing the bridlepath leading down the east slope of Levin Down on chalk to the West Sussex Literary Trail on North Lane. By this time the rain was running off the waterproof tops and soaking the trousers of those who were not fully kitted out so we squelched back to the cars earlier than planned. The Fox Goes Free were happy to see us turn up early and allowed us to warm up and steam gently in front of their fires before feeding us fantastic food and drink.

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Stedham Walk on 20th March 2024

We met up at The Hamilton Arms in Stedham where Celia and Miguel had arranged a bright, sunny day for our 4.5 mile walk. Starting on the roads we followed School Lane and The Street down to Stedham Bridge where we turned west on the south bank of the River Rother stepping around and through lots of mud which gave way to firmer paths by the time we reached the fields. At Iping we were entertained by gambolling lambs, and admired a pristine car clean before strolling over the bridge to St Mary’s Church. The path across the field beckoned us with a giant horseshoe that would not be amiss in a television game show until we reached Stanwater Lane. Turning north through the woods we stopped for our coffee break, chatting with a horse rider while sampling foreign chocolates. Crossing the fields to Tote Lane and turning off as we passed Woodgate Farm we took the south bound path that brought us to Stedham Lane and the steep descent to the weir and ford at Stedham Mill where we posed for a photo. Our route followed the river south back to Stedham and the Hamilton Arms where we treated ourselves to Thai cuisine.

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Thursley walk on 13th March 2024

This was Tim's walk from 21st February which was called off as it rained all morning. This day was better, still damp in parts, but passable. Seven brave walkers set out towards the A3, luckily finding a tunnel to get to the other side. The area around Cosford House has a very musical history with Roger Taylor living and recording nearby for many years. The track took us past the very nice Cosford Farm and into out first water hazard. Luckily we had a way around the problem and with an easy walk through the woods we found a footpath that took us up into the hamlet of Bowlhead Green. A 6 bedroom house is available for £4.5m, but the average for the area is a mere £1.5m. A walk up the road took us to the drive for Emley Farmhouse, mid 16th C, now a National Trust property available for rent. Luckily it was empty on the day and we took the opportunity to sit on the wall for our drinks break. Refreshed, we descended into the valley and turned up the track to Hole Farm. From here we again ascended to the highest point of our walk, which happened to be another tunnel under the A3. Several fields took us to St Michael and All Angels Church, containing the grave of the Unknown Sailor who was murdered back in 1786. Also there is the grave of Derek Lutyens, (nephew of Edwin Lutyens) who died in a flying accident near Farnborough during WW1. At the exit of the churchyard there is a small hut, formerly a Dame School until formal education became compulsory during the 1880s. At the end of our 5 mile walk we had an excellent lunch in The Three Horshoes in Thursley village.

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Liphook walk on 6th March 2024

The Liphook walk, led by Jean (with some kind assistance from Isabel) started out with the morning mist still very much present. We ducked under the A3 and found our way to Bramshott Churchyard, with  hundreds of graves of Canadian soldiers, most of whom had died of Spanish Influenza at the end of WW1. The flu was incredibly deadly, especially amongst the young. Sometimes a soldier could be fit and well at breakfast, but the flu could take his life before the end of the day. 

We moved on up the road to Rectory Lane before turning down a narrow gulley to  reach Bramshott village.  A walk along Tunbridge Lane took us to a footpath that ran past Bramshott Court and eventually to Passfield Manor.  By crossing the B3004 we entered the road to the delightful village Conford where the Victorian village hall provided a good stopping point for a drinks break. Our route then led past Conford Park House, with its extraordinary sculptures in the grounds and on to the dreaded mud. We had all been warned that wellingtons were the preferred footwear and even a bit of fence climbing did not totally avoid the problem. However we recovered enough to find the B3004 once again and then back to Bramshott, via Bramshott Vale House. We passed Boris Karloff's house before once again walking through Bramshott churchyard.  After passing over the Memorial bridge we regained our cars and then journeyed to The Deers Hut for an enjoyable lunch.

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Walderton Raffle walk on 28th February 2024

Denis accepted the challenge to lead the largest walking group this year in a 3.75 mile short walk so we get back to the pub in time to have lunch, play skittles and have our annual raffle before the pub closed in the afternoon. We assembled in The Barley Mow pub car park at Walderton having driven through numerous large puddles and water running across roads. 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 adding some flints to the stone pile 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 seat carved from a tree trunk to have our coffee break. Continuing west, we watched a herd of deer, 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, providing a lovely buffet and giving us the space to hold our raffle. Having lead the walk, Denis demolished the competition to win the skittles event.

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