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.