Wickham Common circular approx 5 miles 16/12/12

Length: Approx 5 miles
Time: Approx 3 hours but we added about 15 mins getting lost, just to the north of Sawmill on the map, and at least 15 mins getting around the flooded field at 5 on the map. 
Ascent: +-59m

1. We have driven along this road to Wickham hundreds of times and have never noticed this sign. How unobservant! Parking is easy on the opposite of the road.

2. Looking back north over Wickham Common. A beautiful blue sky and yet a few minutes later, the rain came down.

3. Luckily the rain was shortlived and we were treated to this lovely rainbow. Shame about the power cables.

4. Even in this relatively small area between the B2177 and the M27 some of the fields seem huge. 

5. The Wallington River had broken its bank. We didn't fancy having to go all the way back so we spent 15 mins at least trying to work our way around the flood without getting too wet. Despite having to wade through ankle deep water we finally managed it, still with dry feet. 10/10 for our new boots.

Stansted circular approx 5.5 miles 12/12/2012

Length: Approx 5.5 miles 
Time: Approx 2.5 hours at a reasonable pace 
Ascent: +-82m

Wednesday 12th dawned with a heavy frost and definite rawness in the air. Nevertheless we stuck to our plans and headed off to Stansted Forest. Our reward; by lunchtime the sun had appeared and so had the mud.

1. Free car parking by the Employees' access to Stansted House. 

2. Frozen fields and a wintery sky. Luckily there was no wind otherwise it would have felt very cold.

3. Stansted House.

4. More fungus. I think this is Turkeytail (Trametes versicolor). The fungus was covered in green mould so the colour was unclear.

5. We got a glimpse of Racton Monument on our walk from Walderton in November. Since then we'd made a note to get a closer view. Although it's privately owned there's nothing to stop you wandering around the building. Sadly this means that the inside is a target for graffiti and there is litter all over the place. Maybe I'd been affected by what I'd read about the monument but it has an uncomfortable air about it; not sure I'd want to turn it into a house.

6.  Looking east the rolling hills hint at the start of the South Downs.

7. Strangely I had only just said that it had been a long time since we'd seen a thrush.

Goodwood circular approx 6 miles 2/12/2012

Length: Approx 6 miles
Time: Approx 2.5 hours at a reasonable pace
Ascent: +-170m

We parked at Seven Points free car park (the one near to 9 on the map). It's not signposted but it's on the same road as the Singleton Open Air Museum. It's worth a visit even if you don't want to walk as just the views from the car park are stunning. 

1. From the top of the Trundle looking south-east towards Bognor.

 














2. And, south-west towards Chichester and the Isle of Wight.

3. Thankfully we've never met this pair out on our walks.

4. How wonderful is this. Normally the trees are cut higher up the trunk so they are circular in section. Cut lower down you can see what a fantastic variation of shapes there are from tree to tree.

 






























5.The picturesque village of East Dean complete with village pond.

6. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Singleton


 















7. Out of Singleton and up on to Charlton Down this path is much steeper than it looks, but mercifully not for too long.

8. Looking north towards Singleton from the base of the Trundle.

9. Two views from the car park. The first looking out to sea over Chichester Harbour and the second towards Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

Funtley circular approx 6 miles 28/11/2012

Length: Approx 6 miles
Time: Approx 2.50 hours at reasonable pace
Ascent: +-115m


I've included this walk from yesterday but I wouldn't recommend it as a circular route because Titchfield Lane was very busy and became quite dangerous as we got towards the railway and the verges disappeared. There were some interesting bits so I've included a few photos of parts of the walk that might be worth a visit.

Parking is easy on the road in Funtley.

1. The walk goes through a farm on the edge of the River Meon. This is a beautiful spot. Unsurprisingly the river is very high and many of the adjacent meadows are flooded.
 

2. Webbsland vineyard.
 

3. A rather eerie forest of silver birch.

4. Portsmouth and the Spinnaker Tower yet again.

Twyford circular approx 5.5 miles 7/11/2012

Easy going
Length: Approx 5.50 miles
Time: Approx 2.50 hours at strolling pace
Ascent: +-116m

1. We parked in Hazeley Road. There are some spaces opposite the houses just before the start of the walk. This is looking back just after we started walking. At the end of the walk the path comes out by the tall trees on the corner.

2. Young Red Angus I think.

3. I guess Morestead Stables use this course for training racehorses. It was run by Brendan Powell until 2005. I couldn't find out if it's still used.

4. Anybody know what this fruit is? I think it might be wild black cherry. It looks edible.

5. What happened to the summer?

6. Winchester in the distance.

7. Skirting the base of St. Catherine's Hill this is an unusual valley.

 8. The steps to the top of St. Catherine's Hill. Not for us today!!

 9. All that's left of St. Catherine's lock. A water wheel used to sit in the curved brickwork and power a saw mill.

10. I know this one. Spindle.

11. The River Itchen. A beautiful river but the peace and quiet along this stretch is spoilt by the constant noise from the motorway.

12. British White cattle.

13. St. Mary's Church from the water meadows.

14. St. Mary's Church.