20150403/11 two brilliant walks, HeartSmart and Ramblers in adjacent areas.

Two very good walk leaders both with similar walks only a week apart.

Ramblers 7.5miles in red HeartSmart 5.8miles in blue.

Ramblers; Iping common car park to Titty Hill circle, led by Bob.

HeartSmart; Woolbedding NT car park up to Pound Common circle, led by Fiona.

This is not a comparison between the walks, but an accolade to both. According to my measurement both ended up slightly longer than advertised, but both walk leaders had offered to add to the distance which was agreed by every one concerned.  Both walks started with rather dull weather but ended in fine spring climate.

As this area of the South Downs is a sandstone area the going was easy. Another wonderful thing was the gentle downward route to start with before climbing to the heights involved and then the gradual downward gradient down to the river Rother prior to immediate heading up to the car parks.

The bloom on the Magnolias and Cherries were spectacular in the brilliant sunshine. 

The picturesque buildings and manicured gardens of the countryside is wonderful to see.

This cottage surrounded by Magnolias and Cherries is worthy of any Jigsaw or painting 

How people can cultivate wonderful plants in such magnificent settings neveer ceases to amaze me.

20150111 Medmerry Ham Pagham Norton 10ml circular

Distance 9.96ml

Time 3:45

Speed 2.65mph

Calories 1000+

Fantastic walk for distance. The only muddy spots were near the stile by the sewage plant and close to Church Norton. With only one easy stile to negotiate.

Overall the weather was good with mainly sunshine and a constant crisp cold breeze. The Birds and wildlife were spectacular especially the Oyster Catchers around the breach point. One of the Kestrels I saw was so large I was taken aback quite a bit. Other than the colour it could have been a buzzard. The The Goldfinches like the Kestrels would not stay still for photographing and of the 30 snaps I took I deleted them all. There were so many wading, seabirds and ducks it was a good day to be out and about.

Oystercatchers

Grey Plover

Ringed Plover

Fallow Deer

Brent Geese

Blue Tits

HeartSmart walk led by Jane from Walderton to Compton

On this slightly overcast day with high Humidity we set off from by the River Ems(this flows to Emsworth) Up behind Mitcharmer Farm up our first rise before heading downward and crossing the road upward again through Woodbarn Forrest to Lye common. downward again into the trees known as Haslett Copse only to rise again and circumnavigate  Grevitts Copse. Down and then upagain to Locksash Farm. from here a slight rise and Downward till we arrive at Compton. This was a fantastic four and onehalf miles. Certainly  a thorough Cardiovascular workout, if it was at a faster pace it would certainly been an exceptional aerobic session. What would be a drawback is the occasional loose flint and other stones underfoot.  Thank you Jane.

 The shape of this circular walk reminds me of Dr Whos robotic dog K9

Leaving my other walkers I accepted Jane's advice and headed back on the western side of the B2146, much shorter and less energy required. Leaving the village I disappeared into the hedge row and headed diagonally up across the fields of West Hanger and down into Drift Road plantation. Keeping to the West of Bottom Copse till I reached West Marden. Crossing the road I entered a field of Abadeen Angus the into the trees of Nore Down till I reached Cabragh House on the edge of Watergate Hanger. Up through the trees  and again on the western edge all the way down to Monarchs Way onto the B2146 again then just a few hundred meters back to the car. All in all a good day and a fantastic walk.

SWS Ramblers walk led by Kath; Hunston, South Mundham, Siddlesham.

On a Wet October day Kath led us on this Linear walk through the farmland and golf club from Hunston to Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve.

Through the area east of Hunston we had our coffee break near the 15th Hole. Before passing Brimfast cottage and on to Bramber Farm. Joining Honer lane we walked to Honer Barn where we crossed the field o have lunch up on Pagham sea wall. It was here where I got quite wet. Following the wall we made our way to Halseys Farm then via the quay near Sidlesham Mill I carried onto tho the nature reserve.

SWS RAMBLERS walk led by Lindsay through Stedham, Tote Hill, Older Hill and Iping.

A fantastic nine mile walk. With a gentle climb for the five and one half miles and easy decent on our way back to the cars. The weather was very kind to us with just a gentle breeze and being quite humid on this Autumn day.

Starting from the car park in Iping Common we walked through Stedham Common before crossing the A272. We then passed trough the magnificent lawns of polo grounds at Greathouse Farm, Stedham, created by the late Kerry Packer. Walking through the picturesque village of Stedham was so peacefull and tranquil but once approaching the Mill House 'now that's what I call inspiring' it was something you would expect to see on on the front of a chocolate box. Here we had our coffee stop and listening to the water rush though the Mill Race with the call of the buzzards overhead it truly was tranquility.

Stedham Mill House (August 2014)

Following our break several members removed their topcoats due to the humidity, leaving them off for the rest of the walk.

From this point on the golden brown leaves covered the ground with the warm autumn colours appearing on the trees. From here we started our ascent up through the farmland of Tote Hill and on to Pound Common before entering and circling Lords Common. Seeing the back of the old King Edward VII Hospital which is now being renovated into apartments was a sorrowful sight.

Now along a section of the Serpent trail at the top part of our walk close to the Scotland Farmhouse we started our decent to The Lair at Woolbedding Common for our Lunch stop.  From here it was downward around Tote Hill. Along part of the 'New' Lipchis Way and down through Hammerwood Show Jumping grounds at Iping as we headed to the River Rother.  crossing the bridge and then back across the A272 we returned to our cars.  This was probably the easiest nine miler possible up on the downs.  What with some magnificent forest and views, I offer a big thanks to Lindsay and Jenny.

HeartSmart Walk led by Andrew and Bruce around South Harting

This walk was so short; whilst being so exhilarating. For a walk that was just over three and one-half mile I have never perspired so much before. Thanks Andrew the best short walk ever.

From the elevation profile(in pink) you can see on this map the climb up Harting Hill from Hill Lane is incredibly steep. Likewise you can see on the profile we had a rest stop on the incline and again when we reached the top.

Andrew chose the most amazing weather for us. Anticipating showers throughout the day not one drop of rain fell. thankfully once we had made the climb up Harting hill the clouds closed in and help cool us down considerably. Once I returned to the car I was grateful that i had a change of clothes, having been saturated with perspiration.

A few amazing and new things  today. Andrew indicated a track leading to the Ornamental ruins of Vandalian Tower, Up Park which I had passed so many times before but had not ventured in as it is not on the Ordnance Survey Map. Additionally walking footpaths that I had not walked before. Then there was the St Mary And St Gabriels Church Church Lane South Harting, Where Andrew gave a very informative talk whereby he explained so much both inside and outside the church.  The best link I found on the web for information is at http://www.sussexparishchurches.org/spc_V31/west-sussex/25-west-sussex-h-l/501-harting-st-mary-and-st-gabriel So much has been written about this church it is truly amazing.

Eleven of us on this walk and I was impressed how everyone coped with the climb.

HeartSmart walk led by John and Judy around Siddlesham, and South Mundham.

A Fantastic  2hr walk, very flat with a mixture of road, path, track, and field. Just four miles(6.4km) and at a pleasant pace, just a few vehicles which caused no worries ats it was mostly across South Mundham fields.  

With the occasional very light 

shower we were vewry lucky with the weather. This was also one of the first times I have walked across this area and returned home with my shoes clean of mud.