So once again walking, this time over two days. First, five miles at the Devil’s Punch Bowl and Hindhead Common near Hindhead, Surrey. If you have never been there it’s one of the most accessible and beautiful scenic areas in Southern England. The National Trust manage it and so it has a carpark, cafe and shop but, there are miles of common land to explore.
My friend Heike suggested the the walk with her two well behaved dogs for company. Our walk included a number of short steep climbs and although it was not a long walk it was pretty strenuous at times and we got a bit lost but the views were well worth it! The picture was taken at the Temple of the Four Winds.
There is a lot of history here as you can guess from the Temple site which is actually the remains of what was a rather ornate hunting lodge. The highest point is Gibbet Hill at 272 metres with views across to the North Downs and London. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’ would walk on Hindhead Common with Watson while fathoming out mysterious crimes!
I spent my time fathoming where we were!
Along our walk we saw a huge Parasol toadstool. Autumn is on its way!
The following day back I went back to Old Winchester Hill on the South Downs with Derek and Sarah for an eight mile circular walk, with amazing views across the Downs, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
For the first time I used walking poles. Sarah normally uses these as they assist her with a hip injury. I understand they are good for rough ground and when you carry a heavy packs but, I have noticed that people who use poles really stride it out. As I have shorter legs than both Sarah and Derek, I think I’m pacing one and a quarter steps to their one so, I wanted to see if the poles would make me stride out! They take a bit of getting used to but, I can see the benefits especially on uneven ground and I bet they help on a down hill walk. I will persevere with them!
We stopped for our lunch on the ancient hill fort. There were masses of flowers; marjoram, yarrow, knapweed, trefoils (I think) and Queen Anne’s Lace or wild carrot.
For Derek the walk was a trip down memory lane to his childhood and as a result Sarah and I were shown a hidden walk under a thicket of yew trees where he used to climb and play!
Along with all this fresh air and walking I’ve started climbing (only on a wall). I find it strenuous and all absorbing. I’m sure I look faintly ridiculous but I’m really enjoying it!
All this exercise…you think I was climbing Ben Nevis not walking it!
The Travelling Bee 