Special Walks

The London Blind Walkers

We have played host each year to the London Blind Walkers since the earliest days of the group: a proud tradition. This year was no exception and fifteen visitors plus two sighted/partially sighted helpers arrived by train one Sunday morning at Witley station, eager for a day out in the countryside. Thanks to Jean Harker everything was ready for them. G&H members took the group to Chiddingfold by car where other group members were waiting to lend a guiding arm or elbow and we all set off on a very varied walk, arriving in Grayswood for a picnic lunch. The Wheatsheaf made us all very welcome for a drink, despite being very busy, and it was much appreciated. The ‘conga’ line of men snaking through the bar, each clinging to each other to find the ‘gents’, turned a few heads although it was very quiet and orderly, (no singing!). We were very dependent on our sighted men at that point and I guess it was the most efficient way!

Thanks are due to the twenty-six G&H members who joined the walk that day as this number meant our visitors could change sighted partners for the afternoon walk. This took us all back to Chiddingfold, quite a weary group who’d climbed quite a lot of stiles but were still in very good spirits. Then came the highlight of the day – tea in Nicky and Jack Salway’s garden. It was a cloudy, showery day, so indoors or out?! Well, the rain held off ­ only just long enough and didn’t spoil the treat of being able to sit at the pretty garden tables having our cups refilled and enjoying delicious cakes. A happy group departed for cars to Witley station and we look forward to welcoming our blind visitors again next year.

The London Blind Walkers Association arranges a walk each Sunday from Spring through to Autumn, using one of the London train termini to reach a range of home counties destinations. They are dependent on the accessible Ramblers groups playing host and we are one of those who make this possible each year. Recently the LBWA advertised in our SE Walker newssheet, for more sighted helpers to take a turn at meeting LBW members at the London station, helping to purchase tickets and escorting them on the train to their destination. If anyone feels they could do this, say from Waterloo, please see SE Walker no. 74, June 2011 p.7 or contact Valerie Clark on 0258868 0096 for more details.  Rosemary Bryant

Don and Muriel Clark organised a very enjoyable walk on the Isle of Wight in June. Walkers travelled to Portsmouth Harbour by train and then went by ferry to Ryde.

There were thirty-three ramblers and the two walks were evenly split with sixteen going on the long walk and seventeen on the shorter version. The blustery winds and high tide led to the sea waves being blown onto the Promenade at Ventnor. It was quite exciting trying to dodge the waves as we walked along the seafront. Both walks finished in Ventnor Botanic Gardens where we were able to admire the wide variety of plants on view. After a tea we all caught the bus back to Ryde where most people stayed for a fish and chip supper before travelling home.  We are looking forward to the next trip in 2012. Damian and Elizabeth Wheeler

On 20 July a group of around twenty-seven ramblers made it to the 7.15 am start of the Breakfast Walk at the village green at Grayswood.

Led by Bryce and Edwina we set off in dry weather but very wet underfoot - a pleasant change after so much dry weather and hard ground in the past few months. The group headed north taking in South Park Farm, Creedhole Farm, and Hurthill Copse before heading back to the Wheatsheaf in time for breakfast. For some of the men it transpired that it was their second breakfast of the day, but despite this it was devoured by all in record time, when compared with some on the lunchtime stops on Wednesdays! After breakfast there was an interesting debate amongst some of those present on the positive effects of statins enabling us to enjoy a full English breakfast! For the second half of the walk we were joined by a couple of extra walkers who claimed they arrived too late for the original start!  Although the pace was a little slower the walk over Lythe Hill was enjoyed by all and  accomplished without the promised rain materialising. Following the walk an excellent buffet lunch was laid on by Bryce and Edwina at their home which was enjoyed by everyone.  Philip Watson

This very welcome revival of an old favourite also has a new venue, the Red Lion at Chalton.  Fourteen of us met up on a mostly overcast day ready for a 2 pm start.  Those who arrived early were able to study the various styles of dress favoured for present day weddings as guests arrived at the lovely church opposite the Red Lion.  On the way down to Chalton we drove through some very heavy rain, but well before our scheduled start time the rain moved off and stayed away for the duration of the walk.  No doubt the wedding party were as relieved as we were, as the weather improved by the hour.  A lovely walk, led by Rosemary Bryant and Nicky Salway, took us along part of the Sussex Border Path and over Compton Down.  A tea stop was called at the appropriate time of afternoon in a field inhabited only by sheep. All would have passed off peacefully had not one of the leaders (you just can’t get the staff nowadays!) put her sit-upon mat down in what turned out to be the favoured comfort spot of the sheep.  This unfortunate lack of judgement only became apparent when the leader got up from her tea-time siesta.  After a clean up the lady in question was relegated to (a distant) back marker.  Meanwhile the walk continued passing close to St. Hubert’s Church – resplendent in its setting in the middle of a field at Old Idsworth – before climbing up to Idsworth Down to enjoy the splendid views in every direction on the return to the pub.  There we were joined by Jack Salway and Lionel Larcombe, plus the one-time leader in fresh trousers, for a very convivial meal in the Red Lion’s private dining room.  Let us hope that his Supper Walk revival will become re-established in out walk calendar.  Peter Adolph

Coach walk to Lacock – Monday 8 August 2011

We rose from our beds early, fresh and keen, for the week was still young. The faithful Jason hove into view and we headed north-westwards.

The weather was bright and a touch blustery; the Wiltshire countryside rolled itself out before us, with some mud here and there, fields and woodlands under the wide skies.

An unusual variety of stiles were encountered (and there were quite a few). General opinion was that the wooden ones tended to be in need of attention and did not attain the usual high standards to which we in Surrey are accustomed.

The coffee stop was at a seemingly isolated church, which in fact served the nearby village of Bowden Hill.  We then passed close to a cottage with a small chicken coop, home to an unusual variety of resident, with rather impressive tufts on their heads; a knowledgeable soul ventured that they were Polish chickens. Then came an encounter with some splendidly marked pigs - Gloucester Old Spots? No resident pig expert to hand to confirm this.  We walkers were undoubtedly the week's highlight and about eight pigs bounded over gleefully. How fortunate, then, that a large pile of beetroot was to hand on our side of the fence and we tossed over several for their early lunch.

We proceeded along the Wilts & Berks Canal, now being restored, on our left and the River Avon on our right and so, via a ford, into Lacock itself. It is a delight, owned by the National Trust, frozen in time in many respects but with enterprising private residents selling their own produce from doorways. Reports from those who visited the garden at Cantax House were extremely complimentary.

Many thanks indeed to the leaders for a most enjoyable day.  Frances Morris

Over the hills to Rye. Outing to Rye Tuesday 9 August 2011

It was a great day. The good organisation, uneventful coach journey, scenic route and warm sunny weather ensured a grand day out for the long walkers (26), short walkers (22) and non-walkers (4).

The long walkers (LW) set off from Udimore and marched down a bridleway past an apple orchard towards the River Brede. The valley was covered in rows of vegetables as far as the eye could see - chard, cabbage, kale, beetroot, spinach, leeks, celeriac, sweet corn. We crossed this, then the Hastings to Ashford railway line and went uphill on grassland dotted with sheep. Joining the 1066 Country Walk (TCW) we turned East towards Brook Farm. In the grounds were two oast houses and in the distance were wind turbines of the Camber Wind Farm, Romney Marsh. When it opened in 2009 it was the largest onshore wind farm in England. At the top of another hill we stopped for coffee and sat facing the Brede valley. The view was good but better views were to come. The route was undulating without, as someone commented, being arduous. Continuing on the TCW we reached Icklesham, the starting point for the short walkers (SW). They stopped briefly at the church before setting off towards Winchelsea and Rye on the same route as the LW. In the church a woman playing the organ asked if they minded her doing so. On the contrary, they replied. She resumed playing and, somewhat to their amusement, struck up the Wedding March. After Icklesham we stayed on the TCW to walk through overgrown apple orchards and then up another slope at the top of which was a windmill, now the recording studio of Sir Paul McCartney. No sound came from it. Here we could see the sea again and, to the NE, Dungeness power station. Continuing on the TCW we crossed a field of chicory (blue flowers), passed Wickham Manor on our left and New Gate, a stone arch, on our right, and soon reached Winchelsea, where we split up for lunch.

The well-kept churchyard, where many of us ate our lunch, is the burial ground of Spike Milligan. We searched in vain for his gravestone until someone discovered that it had been removed to have his wife's name added to it. She died in June and was buried in the same plot. The gravestone does bear the inscription 'I told you I was ill' but it is in Gaelic. Some of the gravestones were askew but, unlike in the Mount cemetery in Guildford, there were no notices telling visitors to beware and no gravestones cordoned off with yellow and black tape. After lunch the SW were given a 15 minute head start. The LW eventually caught up with them in Rye. The route took us east out of Winchelsea, over the Royal Military Canal, then north to Camber Castle and across Rye Harbour Nature Reserve to Rye. Camber Castle was built in 1539 (Henry VIII) and housed a garrison of forty-two men. It was abandoned in 1627 because by then a ridge of shingle had built up to such an extent that it restricted access to the sea. It is owned by English Heritage but is now closed. (Health and Safety, of course.) The LW reached Rye with enough time for tea and cake and a look around the town. The views from the top of the Ypres Tower and St Mary's church were superb. Many thanks to Jenny Winter and Heather Dillon, leaders of the long walk (9 miles) and to Julia Evans and Wendy Hoare, leaders of the short walk (6 miles).  Jenny Caddy

Corfe Castle and Isle of Purbeck.  After a trouble-free coach journey we arrived in the Corfe car park at 10.20 am.  The long walk set off briskly, passing through the village and heading for Ballard Down.  Crossing the railway line Derek Coxhill’s hat took off and blew hurriedly down the line.  The hat was expensive and Derek had no wish to be parted from it so soon, so John Richards and Derek set off to chase it down the line.  Derek managed to get entangled in the undergrowth, but finally the hat was retrieved and firmly tied on to Derek’s head.  Twenty-seven happy walkers joined the Purbeck Way and crossed Allwood Down.  We were allowed a ten minute coffee stop before leaving Allwood Down.  The weather was glorious and the views magnificent as we continued to the top of Ballard Down.  This proved a splendid spot for our picnic lunch.  A few thirsty members decided to continue to the pub, but the rest of us sat absorbing the sheer beauty.  After our lunch we dropped down to the Bankes Arms and then up again to the Old Harry Rocks viewing spot.  What a magnificent view – you could imagine the mainland being joined to the Isle of Wight.  We then climbed on up to the trig point and down a fairly difficult and narrow, often sloping, path, to Ulwell Village.  Here we had time for a quick cup of tea; then it was boots off and on to the coach for a pleasant journey home.  Many thanks to Nancy and Ian Wilks and Don and Muriel Clark for a super walk, and to Jason for a safe journey.  Molly Groundsell

Betty's Seasonal Event

Betty Coxhill is leading this walk on 14 December in the West Grinstead area. See programme for walk details.  She will start the event by providing coffee and mince pies and invite you to support the charity Parkinson's UK.  At the end of the circular walk, at about 2 pm you are invited to eat at the Orchard Restaurant in West Grinstead. The cost is around £10 for two courses (drinks extra). The menu will be sent out soon by e-mail and Betty will have a copy with her on walks.

Please give her your menu choice and a £5 deposit by 7 December. E-mail derek@delby.plus.com Tel: 01306 880228  Mobile:07557 360120.

Viv Bignell

Breakfast Walk

In this season’s Festival of Winter Walks, we have seven walks on the next programme from Tuesday 27 December to Monday 2 January 2012. Two of these are figure of eight walks allowing three options: to walk in the morning, the afternoon or all day. Previous Festival of Winter Walks have been well supported and some people have walked most days. Let’s hope that the weather is better than the icy conditions we had for some of the walks last year.  Damian Wheeler  (Walks Co-ordinator)

Due to the popularity and success of the coach walks this year we plan to run two sets of trips in the coming year, two days in April and three days in August. The April trips are confirmed. The August trips are in the planning stage but provisional dates have been set.

Fri	20 Apr	A walk in the Chilterns to Henley on Thames
Sat	21 Apr	Kingston Lacy NT, Dorset