AAC walk today was around Kingley Vale, and we met up at Chichester station,
with a shuttle to the car park. Tim had sorted out a walk up the vale to the
barrows, then around Bow hill, a large circle down to the back road before
climbing up to Inholmes Wood. Down to the pub in Stoughton for lunch.
Afterwards follow the Monarch's way to Walderton, then back over the shoulder
and down the side of the vale back to the car park.
We drove down to Chichester rail station to meet the 10:06 train from London to
only find it was delayed by 30 mins. Time to move Bertie out of the back seat
and into the boot - not a happy bunny! We squoze a couple into the back seat and
departed in convoy for the main car park below the vale.
Catching up with everyone else at the car park (no barrier) and we set off
slightly late down the lane to the vale.
The lane approached the start of the vale nature reserve, before we crossed over
and took the path through the yew groves.
Saying "hello" to the ancient yews
Then out into the basin of the vale below the combe of grasslands.
We ascended the slope via the righthand curved track, through the yew plantation and up tot eh slopes above. From here we could look across to the staircase path - not a pleasant ascent!
From the top of the devil's humps (tumuli) on the top of the ridge - looking across to the Isle of Wight one way and over to the north the other.
Dropping down the wide track skirting around Bow hill, down to Saughton down.
Still on the same track and into the woods of Greatdean bottom as it dropped down in a gentle curve. Around the edge of a field to a back road. Over this and through Wildham barn. We climbed up in the rain and into Inholmes wood.
The last stretch along the fields above Stougton, and down a track that led into the village right beside the pub - Hare & Hounds.
A long lunch - mainly due to the fact the pub was very busy, but our food was good. After everyone had finished and paid we packed up for the return. Through the village and up to the church into a field that led across to the Monarch's way.
Along Monarch's way to the village of Walderton where we dropped back to the road from Stoughton. The rain became much heavier as we crossed over to a lane and started the climb up the side of Walderton Down.
Into the fields above the woods where the down merges into the ridge up to Kingley Vale bumps. the rain stopped and a rainbow appeared and also views down towards Portsmouth.
Into the woods surrounding the vale, and following the major bridleway that skirted the edge of the nature reserve
The sun was now out and the rain moved on... with views down to Chichester harbour and the town. We continued to drop down the side of the reserve back to the point where we had entered earlier in the day.
The final stretch back to the car park. A quick clean up and we reloaded the car to get back to Chichester station before the next train. Bertie was relieved to escape the boot and regain his place on the back seat.
