Stoughton walk on 22nd March 2023

The concept was a gentle 4.5 mile stroll through some woodland including Kingley Vale Nature Reserve, soak up the sun, scenery and great views. Best laid plans and all that…..

The rain flooded local roads that would have made Noah accelerate his carpentry project, so we started one walker down who left their amphibious vehicle at home and had to turn back.The Midhurst High Street closure due to the fire meant diverse routes to get to the car park but ten of us made it. Donning waterproofs, ponchos, umbrellas, gaiters and the like, we were finally ready.

We walked on the gravel path on the edge of Kingley Nature Reserve, taking the left fork, engaged low gear and slipped and slid our way to The Plantation when the path dried out a bit. Up the gentle slope with trees on both sides hanging on by their roots before turning right through the gorse and past Blackbush House. A tractor caught our attention before re-entering Kingley Vale where our mud skating skills were demonstrated by all.

The coffee stop beside the ancient earthworks, overlooking the dew pond with mist obscuring the great views of West Dean and the Trundle was welcomed by all. We got going again down to Bow Hill to turn and head north to develop our mud skiing skills crossing the Monarch Way and through woodland with moss covered furrows back to the car park. Lunch was enjoyed by everyone at the Hare and Hounds at Stoughton.

Great conversation, even the trees leant in

You put your left leg in .......   and it gets covered in mud

Trees to the right of them

Trees to the left of them

..........

Boldly they slipped and well

..........

Walked the ten

Hanging on by their roots

Bloody yew trees

Chelsea Tractor, eat your heart out

So when is the coffee break ?

The Olympic mud skating team

I didn’t believe Ents existed, now I am not sure. ‘Hrum now’

Coffee break

Look....the view of West Dean and the Trundle never looked so good

A break from mud skiing, and still chuckling at Jay’s woodland tale

The descent, all still upright

Some even tried tandem sliding

....and the views were breath-taking

Dedicated photographers will bend over backwards to get the shot

The Magnificent seven

At last, the Hare and Hounds

• ← Fernhurst long walk 15th March 2023
• Stedham Walk on 29th March 2023 →