Walk

On an English Hillside.

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Another circular Sunday morning walk on the South Downs.

This time of year, Rooks are re-establishing their nest sites. Rookerys are known for high noise levels, territorial disputes, and intense activity during nesting season.

Goldfinch.

Yellowhamer.

Brown Hare,

On the route, there is a memorial to a WW2 accident where 33 were tragically killed.

In early 1944, numerous training exercises were being undertaken in preparation for the Allied invasion of D-Day.

On the 4th April 1944, 1 HGSU, Horsa 1 glider, LG999 towed by Stirling IV LJ-842 of 196 Squadron took part in a large-scale glider exercise code-named ‘Exercise Dreme’.The night exercise of various legs was to take 3.5 hours, and the gliders were to be released over Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The glider occupants were two glider pilots and members of No. 3 Platoon, ‘A’ Company, 7th (Airborne) Division, King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

Low cloud was reported in the Lewis area and on the leg from Lewis to Winchester. As the towing Stirling descended through the clouds, it hit a tree. The glider released immediately and crashed in Warnford. All 27 men on board the Horsa LG999 were killed. The Stirling flew on for another 15 minutes when it stalled, and crashed at 21:00 hours one-mile south-west of Romsey, some 18 miles from the site of the glider crash, and all six crew members were killed.

Misty morning.

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A misty Sunday walk on the South Downs. Hares were about, but some distance off.

A splash of colour in the grey weather was brought by many Yellow Hammers.

The yellowhammer is a sparrow-sized bird, they are a member of the Bunting family. A bright yellow bird of woodland edges, hedgerows, heath and farmland feeding on seeds and invertebrates.

Mottisfont Abbey.

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With the first blue sky for a couple of weeks, it was nice to take a walk and get some photos without grey skies.

Mottisfont Abbey is a historical priory and country estate in Hampshire, now operated by the National Trust. The site features a historic house museum with changing art exhibitions, the abbey has a rich history that dates back to the 12th century, initially founded as a house for Augustinian canons. Over the centuries, it has transitioned from a monastic building to a country house, particularly during the 18th century when it was remodelled in the Gothic Revival style. The abbey is now recognised not only for its architecture but also for its beautiful gardens, which showcase a collection of old and rare roses, drawing visitors from around the world to experience its tranquil beauty and historical significance.

Two paintings from the current Town and Country: A Journey Through the Seasons are part of the current art exhibition at Mottisfont. These two were my favourites.

Both by Lesley Fortherby.

Tichborne Hampshire.

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Tichborne Village in Hampshire stands on the Itchen as it passes on its way from Cheriton to Winchester.

St Andrew’s Church, standing on a small hill, is a Grade I listed building and was founded in the mid 11th Century. It was likely the church for the larger area known as the Manor of Cheriton. The Tichborne family, who had held their estate since at least 1135, came to be closely associated with St Andrew’s and carried out significant additions to it in the early 14th century.

The inside of the church has several monuments to the Tichborne family. These are very grand for a parish church.

St Catherine’s Hill

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St Catherine’s Hill, Winchester, is a 58-hectare chalk grassland. It is a nature reserve managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. There are ramparts of the Iron Age hill fort cut into the 70m high hill, buried ruins of the Norman chapel that gives the site its name and several rectangular burial mounds along Plague Pit Valley, which mark the location of mass graves. It offers views over Winchester, the Itchen Valley and the surrounding countryside. As part of the management of the chalk grassland, cattle are used to help prevent scrub from building up.