Balcombe Circular

Jane reports from Wednesday's 12 mile circular walk led by Pat Hully...

"A party of seven of us enjoyed a walk through very attractive countryside and the many wild flowers we saw even included some early orchids...




as well as dandelions, bugles...



blubells and wild garlic...



Our morning route followed quiet footpaths past Little and Great Strudgate Farms and Chiddingly Farm to the picturesque village of West Hoathly for lunch.





We then followed the High Weald Landscape Trail to the eastern shore of Ardingly Reservoir where a flotilla of sailing dinghies added dashes of colour to the revervoir's waters....





Upon reaching Balcombe Mill we had a short, sharp climb out of the valley and found ourselves back at Balcombe Station all too soon."

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Bramble Ramble

Last Sunday saw Maija Roberts leading 11 other Ramblers on a 9 mile circular walk around Balcombe in West Sussex.



The Blackberry bushes around Ardingly reservoir were incredibly tempting, and we actually stopped for a Bramble break!

There were some kingfishers about too...



Lunch was taken at St. Peter's churchyard in Ardingly. We received a wonderful welcome, all of us being offered a hot drink. The parishioners even lifted up the mats in the nave to show us the memorial brasses below...

This couple had 18 children, 10 sons and 8 daughters!

The stained glass was splendid too



The afternoon found us having tea at Wakehurst Place, where we spotted this handsome stag...



I end this post with a group photograph with a message for all motorists...

Walk Leader Maija is pictured above 5th from left.

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