*Due to unforeseen circumstances, this walk has been cancelled* The start of the walk will follow the River Itchen to St Cross, we will then walk via Whiteshute Ridge with views of Winchester in the background followed by paths alongside fields with views across Compton Down Countryside, the last leg of the walk will be through a small patch of woodland. There is a small cafe 'Platform One', at Shawford Train Station if people wish to get a sweat treat before the start of the walk (gelato, baked goods, coffee etc.); their opening hours may be subject to change. Optional pub stop at the end of the walk at 'The Bridge Inn', opposite Shawford Train Station. The walk should take approximately 2 hours. Suitable clothing and footwear required as parts of the walk can get muddy depending on the weather. You may wish to bring a drink and snacks. It will get darker towards the end of the walk so please bring a torch. Free Parking available at Shawford Down Car Park's, there are two Shawford Down Car Park's, a lower one which we will start the walk from directly adjacent to the Train Station, and an upper one which is on Otterbourne Road before entering Shawford. Both car parks are accessible to each other, just note if you park in the upper one, you will need to walk down the hill for the start of the walk and then up the hill in the dark at the end of the walk. There is also parking available along Shawford Road and Pearson Lane. Grid reference: SU 47157 24992. Nearest postcode: SO21 2BN. what3words: losses.toast.clues. ....

Meeting at Bursledon train station car park (free parking) we will walk through Deacons Marina, under the M27 and along the river to River Hamble Country Park. We will do a loop of the park and take in the river path on the return. We will then head back under the motorway and further up the Hamble River to the Jolly Sailor pub, which sits right on the waters edge, for a drink and possible sunset. ....

Meeting at Titchfield community centre (free parking). Walking through the village and church yard and following the river Meon all the way to Meon Beach (muddy sections but there is a good path). Along the cliff tops to Brownwich Beach and returning all the way along Brownwich Lane to Common Lane then down the hill back to the village and the Wheatsheaf Pub. It will be dark/dusk towards end of the walk, so a tourch may be required. ....

The first weekend in September saw walkers head south to Dorset for a weekend of camping and walking. The group camped near Langton Matravers and on Saturday took in the spectacular coastal scenery between Chapman’s Pool and Durlston Head on a refreshing 14 mile walk. Foregoing the campsite cooking option, the group headed to the pub for dinner on the Saturday evening and even managed to find time to take part in a tricky ‘UK place names’ cryptic quiz sheet produced by the local church. Perhaps this helped to distract the two members of the group who managed to forget their sleeping bags and had to borrow bedding from the friendly burger van at the bottom of the camp site!

Unfortunately, on Sunday the weather was typically British but this did not deter most of the group from attempting a walk from Studland to Old Harry Walks. For anyone unfamiliar, ‘Old Harry’s Rock’ is the name given to a large singular stack of rock which marks the most easterly point of the Jurassic Coast heritage site and is one of the most famous landmarks and views in the area. Next to ‘Old Harry’ stands the small remains of ‘Old Harry’s Wife’ who collapsed into the sea in 1896 (his second apparently, his first wife collapsed into the ocean in 1509). Various legends explain the name of ‘Old Harry’ with explanations varying from the devil, to pirates and Viking raids.

Unfortunately, the walk had to be restricted to 4 miles before a retreat to the pub was made (Editor: We’re sure that was a tough decision for all involved!)

Hampshire 20’s and 30’s camping trips are always brilliant fun and it’s so nice to be able to take in different walking scenery with such good company. There’s usually one or two camping trips every summer so do keep a look out on our Walks and Events page if you are interested.

Many thanks to Andy for organising.

This summer saw a Hampshire 20’s and 30’s group first (at least in current memory). We joined Hampshire Ramblers Footpath Committee to learn how to survey and clear footpaths. A huge part of the work of the Ramblers Association is the maintenance of footpaths and in this, volunteers are crucial. Footpath maintenance can involve surveying for damage and obstruction, clearing vegetation and building new paths and bridges as well as maintaining them.

The first outing saw members head to Farley Mount, near Winchester, to use strimmers and looping shears to clear overgrown footpaths. The following month we visited Colden Common to carry out a footpath survey. In particular we were told about what to look out for including making sure there is a way marker clearly visible and that styles and gates are not blocked or overgrown. At Colden Common there were overgrown markers to cut back and a missing footpath marker.

Footpath maintenance is definitely on the agenda for 2018 so please do keep checking the walks and events calendar if you would like to help.