Carrshield to Killhope Law

 

Wednesday 08 September, with Harry. 6.3 miles and 950 feet of climbing.

A deceptively strenuous six miles to the top of Killhope Law.  From the old school house

 to the cottages with sunflowers.

Opposite the cottages we took the path to the right, through someone’s drive and a very awkward gate on to the hillside. 

A short steep climb over rough ground, past an abandoned building. Then the path was reasonably clear for a while, but disappeared frequently making walking very tiring through bog grass etc.

Eventually we crossed Isaac’s Tea Trail path, and followed a clearer path to the road, where we met three cyclists doing the C2C.  

After a coffee we followed the track round the contours to a shooting hut.

then headed up through rough steep ground until eventually we met the ridge

and could see the trig point (673 metres/around 2200 feet) 

and a little further ahead a cairn.

Glorious sunshine so we stopped and took in the view over to Cross Fell, down to Burnhope reservoir and across north to more Northumbrian hills (possibly the Cheviots).

The trek down to the road was even tougher through heather and bog.

Lunch back at the road, and then the hard work done, there simply remained a two and a half mile tramp along the road, mostly downhill, but steep and hard on the feet. Swallows and martins are gathering, ready to migrate south.

The route passed close to a walk we did in May 2019 - from Killhope to Allenheads.

Geddington to Brigstock and back via Clay Dick track

Thursday 02 September 2021 r

Walk from Geddington to Brigstock, 7.4 miles approx. With Marta. Through Geddington Chase, via Community Garden.

On Clay Dick track we met several dog walkers on the way - it’s a very clear route, if a little uneven in places.  

In Brigstock we took the footpath through farm fields and cricket ground, past a vineyard. We talked to a girl about the lambs, living on a farm, the vines etc. She even takes one of the lambs for a walk on Dusthill Road… She recommended “Bake & Brew” cafe in Brigstock. We bought coffee and shared a fruit and almond tart. 

Photos of the flowers for Esther.

Message from Esther that Eve Berridge had spotted me this morning walking through Geddington. 

Then a woman came through to offer us a lift back - her husband had seen us walking earlier. Time to change any plans I had for a career as a spy!! 

A splendid gentle walk and we returned to Geddington.

Testwood Lakes, Nursling Mill and Totton

We started out just after 3 pm, and walked around 8 miles from Rockleigh via Calmore Road and the football ground to Testwood Lakes.

We continued via Nursling Mill

to the Test Way south

and back round to Totton via the boardwalk

through the marshland.

Oddities…and observations.

A toad or frog - girl on bike took a photo.

Friendly local asking if we were lost when checking our map.

Blackberries beginning to ripen near the lake.

Blocked footbridge, vanquished.

Sue Moo’s was closed.

A seat in the park.

Return via Rum Walk 

A day at Milford on Sea

Tuesday 24th August

We set off by car, around 10 to Milford on Sea, near the Needles’ Eye cafe. We walked into the ‘village’ centre, looking for a toilet - the place is actually decently supplied, in the village and along the shore.

We called in at an art exhibition, then walked further to see another one at the church hall. The church is one of those Hampshire churches with a strange little spire stuck on top of a tower, quite stubby.

Back down to the beach , where we bought a coffee, just beating the rush.

We ate our remaining cake and then walked along the beach westwards to sit and draw a while.

Harry did a very fine  oil pastel sketch of the Needles and lighthouse with sea and clouds.

We bought sandwiches in the local co-op and ate them on the green.

Then up to the churchyard to draw the church itself.

Esther called, and we had a coffee from The Cave. We eventually left some time after 6pm. The Isle of Wight was much clearer now.

 The drive back was good, with no hold-up in Lyndhurst at our late-ish return time.

Totton to Lyndhurst, via Deerleap and Woodlands.

 

We decided to walk - set off at 11 am - walked along Pound Lane, path to Colbury church, where we stopped for coffee. There were cyclists also having a break there. 

Then walked along Deerleap Road, which, luckily has a 40 mph limit.

Before the wildlife centre there is a track for cyclists and walkers, leading down to the bridge over the railway. I thought we might see silver washed fritillaries but none in evidence today. 

From the bridge track we turned slightly right towards Matley Heath campsite, then on past Lyndhurst Cemetery and Bolton’s Bench. We bought sandwiches and drinks in Tesco, and took them to St Michaels church to lunch with Alice.

Alice Hargreaves, nee Liddell, who inspired Alice in Wonderland is buried here.

Entertained ourselves trying to separate the plastic from the cardboard, then gave up and put it all in a litter bin. 

After lunch we walked along the A35 from Lyndhurst as far as the golf course, then followed paths through the woods towards Woodlands, and eventually Ashurst.

Another short coffee and biscuit break before hitting civilisation, the A35 and then Holly Road, back through Foxhills and home for a very welcome cuppa and shower.

Felt much better for having been more active.

Wide skies, dappled shade, colourful flowers - montbretia to gorse and heather and later cornflowers too.

A little over 10 miles.