Wickham Common circular approx 4.5 miles 28/01/13

Length: Approx 4.5 miles
Time: Approx 2 hours at a leisurely pace
Ascent: +-59m

We parked on the Wickham road, opposite the Wickham Common sign.

1. There are derelict polytunnels everywhere. What a waste.

 2. Turkeytail, Trametes versicolor (probably!!). Don't try eating it: tough and inedible.

  

3. This stream flows into the Wallington River. It's still high and flowing rapidly.

4. Fresh deer tracks heading in the direction that we'd come from. Unfortunately we didn't see them this time.

Funtington circular approx 5.5 miles 23/01/13

Length: Approx 5.5 miles
Time: Approx 2.5 hours at a leisurely pace.
Ascent: +-40m

1. We parked at the Kingley Vale free car park. Kingley Vale is approximately 3/4 mile north of the car park and a circular walk from the car park, through Kingley Vale up to the top of Bow Hill and back is approximately 3.5 miles with a steep ascent of 150m between the 2 and 2.5 mile points. It is the most stunning place at any time of year. This photo is looking generally in the direction of Kingley Vale. Today though we had planned a walk to the south instead.

 2. St Andrew's Church, West Stoke.

 

 3. There are so many beautiful houses around. These thatched cottages were in a small cul-de-sac in East Ashling. The one in the middle is actually a bit of a cheat; I noticed that the other side of the roof, which backs on to fields, is tiled.

4. West Ashling Mill and mill pond. Can you believe it, not a single bench to sit on while we had lunch.

5. When Janet saw this stretch of footpath she wanted to stay on the road but I shamed her into carrying on.

6. The ladies enjoying themselves now that the snow has melted. This is Balsam's Farm. I couldn't find any up-to-date information about the farm. In 1986 it was the biggest pig farm in Europe. The sows are lucky, they have a free range life, but their offspring are not so lucky; they are kept indoors for fattening.

7. St Mary's Church, Funtington.

8. I think this is Broadley Farm. On this farm the sows are kept in these huts which have an open pen at one end.

9. I have no idea what type of fungus this is. Any ideas?

10. Bluebells are starting to appear.

11. We were just changing out of our boots back at the car park when we were visited by this robin. Sorry, nothing left to eat!!

Singleton circular approx 5.5 miles 16/01/13

Length: Approx 5.5 miles
Time: Approx 2.5 hours at a leisurely pace. Quite a steep climb at the beginning up to Levin Down.
Ascent: +-215m

There is parking on the road to Midhurst in the centre of Singleton.

1.  Following several cold and grey days the sun shone so we headed towards the South Downs. It was still cold but worth the effort.

 2. To the North West the clouds were looking full of snow.

3. All the shaded areas were still heavy with frost. This is Wellhanger Copse.

4. This is also Wellhanger Copse. The area is managed by the National Trust, mostly it seems for rearing pheasant. We saw plenty of youngsters racing off as we approached.

5. A wonderful view looking South East. The hill with the mast on top is the Trundle and the dark rectangle to the left of the hill is the main stand at Goodwood Racecourse.

Bosham circular approx 7.5 miles 9/01/13

Length: Approx 7.5 miles
Time: Approx 3 hours. Unpaved paths were very slow going as it is still very wet and very muddy so probably 2.5 hours in the dry. At least there are no hills.
Ascent: +-5m

1. We parked just along the road from this pub. Any further into Bosham and it's double yellow lines or the pay and display car park.

2. Proof that it really is as wet as I say it is.

3. This is the back of Brinkmans Nurseries. There must be thousands of trees.

4. I know this fungus. It's Dead Man's Fingers, Xylaria Polymorpha.

5. Jelly Ear Fungus, Auricularia auricula-judae. Apparently this is edible but tasteless.

6. It's a very gloomy day but you can just see the spire of Chichester Cathedral.

 











7. Somebody had taken the trouble to provide a lovely spot for lunch.

8. I can't yet identify this fungus. Any ideas?

9. This is the view from Smugglers' Lane Hard across to West Itchenor. During the summer the Itchenor Ferry takes foot passengers and bikes across Chichester Channel.

10. When the tide is out this causeway is a short cut across Bosham harbour.

11. Bosham is a picturesque and unusual village. It's also entertaining to see visitors returning to their cars to find them about to float away on the tide.

12. Bosham Quay. The old building in the background is known as the Raptackle and is leased by Bosham Sailing Club. Originally it was used to house rope and gear for the busy shipping business but now stores dinghies and outboards for the sailing club.

13. Holy Trinity Church.

East of Southwick circular approx 4.5 miles 30/12/12

Length: Approx 4.5 miles
Time: Approx 2.5 hours but would normally be 2 hours at the most. I have never known this area to be so wet; every field resembled a peat bog and alongside the river, where it had previously been flooded, it was hard work.
Ascent: +-53m

1. I was very lucky to spot this fungus. I have had great difficulty identifying it, but with the help of the Wild About Britain forums I believe it to be the Magpie Inkcap.

2. Water, water, everywhere!!

3. This water is streaming off the fields between Pigeon House Lane and Mill Lane, down to the ford across Pigeon House Lane. It's been like this for weeks.

4. There is a very unusual pond opposite Hook Heath Farm. We call it the Mangroves but it only has ducks, coots and moorhens; no alligators.