Well! Anybody who has followed me in the past will know that I haven’t written in a while and there are quite a few missing walks. I have got so far behind it keeps putting me off, I’ve done lots of walking – short local trips and lots worthy of being included in the blog. So the plan is to write the latest walks- especially as I’m about to walk some where more exotic and also fill in with the missing walks. So here goes!!
Found myself down in Sussex for a school reunion weekend. Strange concept in itself when you consider we all left the sixth form 53 years ago! How did that happen?
A mix of getting some outfits ready for a son’s wedding and the very sad illness and subsequent death of my father in law, I hadn’t completed any significant walks for half of August or the whole of September.
So rather enjoying walking in this part of the country I decided to complete a walk before setting off home. As I was staying in Midhurst, setting off from there made more sense. The River Rotherhithe is a significant feature of this area so I parked in the main North Street Car Park crossed the road by the now South Downs Centre. This was the sight of my school all those years ago. Still a Grammar School when I started, with the unusual addition of a boarding house. The school was founded in 16 something. Going comprehensive in 1965/66 and opening a Girl’s boarding house, it was a small, progressive thinking school with a strong social awareness philosophy.
I cross the entrance to the now Rother College entrance, which once led to the Secondary Modern School. The path diverts away from the road and edges towards the river. A few weirs and complications at this point. Some times close to the river and at other times a little further away, the path followed the undulating curves and edges towards Woolbeeding. The house and gardens come in to view, visited just as I started my walking journey.
The tranquility of this walk and the bird song is just what I needed after a hectic few days. This wonderful tree was marked as ‘Oaks’ on the map!
Eventually met some other people out walking on this fine morning and then forgot to check the map. Quick bit of doubling back as I didn’t want to walk along the road and continued on the ‘New Liphcis Way’ – had I been on this before or the ‘Sussex Diamond Way’ – this plethora of named paths can be very confusing.
Across a field a I see some ‘Belted Galloway’ cattle at the far edge – slight air of caution having already crossed a field which warned of a bull! They seem a breed ver much in favour, perhaps they are the National Trust go to cattle.
I’ve walked this section of river once before, as beautiful as ever. Stop to watch some kind of brown wagtail playing by the water’s edge. Then on to Stedham Mill and through the village beyond.
When I was a guide with 1st Petworth, I did my last camp as a Patrol Leader before becoming a young leader, somewhere near Stedham. One of the most significant events was a massive storm – I can remember trying to make sure everyone kept away from the poles incase they got struck by lightning. We got up early and climbed up a hill to see the flashes still in the valley. No storms today! Through the village and across some fields to the main road.
Quite a contrast on this side, the soil and vegetation are much more similar to Blackdown. Briefly I’m on the Serpent Trail, I do want to do this section but not today- I’m heading for Midhurst Common. Paths that are on the map and some that aren’t. I will admit to not going exactly where I had planned but did weave my way across this section to come out on Carron Lane. Strangely familiar as I had just stayed in this area for two nights on a small estate across from the park and cemetery.
As I emerged onto the Petersfield Road I turned towards town and then through by the Spread Eagle Hotel – I have stayed once – I must have been rich that year!!
I’m heading for the path to St. Anne’s Hill. This is the site of castle ruins but more importantly I was looking for a significant tree. Due to other commitments I had missed the visit to this area with my school group. At each reunion the gathered group lay stones, shells etc and we collectively remember fellow pupils or significant staff who are no longer with us. I went to reflect about my botany teacher that made a profound difference to my learning and on going interest in plants.
From here it was a steep down hill to Cowdray Ruins – another significant venue. Our games fields were behind the ruins so there were several cold treks to and from Hockey and some more hospitable journeys for athletics. Probably worth the walk to avoid Netball which I found too frustrating. At least with hockey you could run and didn’t have to keep stopping at lines!
The causeway led back to the edge of my car park. Not a hugely long walk, only 11.5 km but much enjoyed and needed.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 