Forestside (Nr Rowlands Castle) circular approx 5.5 miles 17/5/13

Length: Approx 5.5 miles
Time: Approx 2 1/2 hours at a reasonable pace
Ascent: +-145m

We started this walk at Forestside. There is room to park near the telephone box.
The display of spring wild flowers was stunning.

1. We'd been to the Forest of Bere the previous week especially to see the bluebells. By chance the northern edge of Stansted Forest was even more spectacular and much quieter.

2. Greater Stitchwort, Stellaria holostea amongst the bluebells. Apparently the green shoots can be chopped into salads, steamed or quickly boiled and you can eat the flower buds and flowers. Maybe when I'm a bit more confident that I can identify it properly.

3. The view as we started to drop down into West Marden

4. Cowslip, Primula varis.

5. If you're going to be the black sheep of the family this is how you should look.

6. These flowers were growing amongst the nettles. In fact, at first we thought they were nettles, except the flowers are yellow. They are Yellow Archangel, Lamium galeobdolon.

7. Lesser Periwinkle, Vinca minor.

8. The Early Purple Orchid, Orchis mascula. I always thought orchids were rare in the UK but this is fairly widespread.

9. This is an amazingly large area of wild garlic. Quite stunning.

Harting Down circular approx 5.5 miles 13/3/13

Length: Approx 5.5 miles
Time: Approx 2 1/2 hours at a reasonable pace
Ascent: +-260m

Parking at Harting Down is free for National Trust members but there are plenty of other places to park for free.

1. There was still a bit of snow left in this woodland of small silver birch.

2. King Alfred's Cakes, daldinia concentrica.

3. Pheasant tracks.

4. This is the only entrance to the deer enclosure. I can't find out any information about the enclosure but it is not maintained for the public although access is allowed so there are no marked paths or signposts. Looking at the map I reckon it covers an area of about 200 acres so if you go any distance make sure you have a map and compass. It can be quite disconcerting.

5. We only caught brief glimpses of the deer. Next time we visit we'll give ourselves more time and find somewhere to sit quietly.  There is a definite feeling of wildness about the place and a fantastic assortment of yew trees.

6. The view over South Harting from Harting Down.

7. Approaching South Harting and looking back to Harting Down.

8. St Mary and St Gabriel Church, South Harting.

Stockbridge circular approx 8 miles 4/3/13

Length: Approx 8 miles
Time: Approx 3 1/2 hours at a reasonable pace
Ascent: +-170m

Parking is free in Stockbridge High Street

1. Crossing the River Test for the first time today. The Test is one of the best chalk rivers in England. Unfortunately it seems hard to see much of it due to private ownership.

2. Guinea Fowl (and quail in there somewhere).

3. The tiny yellow dot on the right is a treasure hunter. Could be a long job!

4. Danebury Hill Iron Age Fort. The fort and its surrounding chalkland is grazed by Manx Loughton sheep and Exmoor ponies. We saw a small flock of skylarks.

5. St Mary's Church, Longstock.

6. Picturesque cottages in Longstock. The village has a very good website but I can't find out the history of the unusually named road 'The Bunny'.

7. A fishing hut on the River Test together with eel traps spanning the river.

8. I am reliably informed that these trees with their fantastic orange tops are crack willow.

9. Either Ruby Elfcup Sarcoscypha coccinea or Scarlet Elfcup Sarcoscypha austriaca.

Midhurst circular approx 4.5 miles 1/3/13

Length: Approx 4 1/2 miles

Time: Approx 2 1/2 hours at a reasonable pace.

Ascent: +-89m

Easy free parking on side roads off the A272 as you approach Midhurst centre. 

1. Central Midhurst.

2. An idyllic garden - snowdrops and a tributary of the Rother.

3. The view northwards to Cowdray Park.

4. My old favourite, Trametes versicolor (baby version this time).

5. I can't track down the identity of this fungus.

6. Fantastic bark - sweet chestnut we think.

7. The remains of a Norman castle.

8. Cowdray.

9. Parish Church of St. Mary, Easebourne......

10. .....and its graveyard.