Saturday, 11 April 2015

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.



Sunday, 11 January 2015

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