Last Splutter of Summer

Various things have interrupted my blogging in recent weeks....bad weather has meant countryside walks are a little difficult, keeping up with gym sessions and a couple of redecoration projects (which I will cover in more detail at a later date).  The summer however did splutter back to life this last week and for one day only the shorts were unburied from the cupboard for a walk and some relaxation (for me not the shorts) at my favourite spot on the local downland.

As I've been to this particular spot several times and so took fewer photos than normal, but the thing I love about Kingley Vale is that you often find things you've never seen before and the view is always stunning...see here and here for further examples.

And here's the newest batch:

 

Found this chap on the path, called a slow-worm he was living up to his name since he was being so slow I thought it was a twig and nearly stepped on the little fella....Is it me or does the look on his face indicate that I have just ruined his day?

 

Even though I've done this walk dozens of times the steep climb to the top on the vale is still fairly puff-worthy...and I take the slightly longer but not as heart attack steep route.

 This 'hidden' pond is usually complete devoid of water by this time in the year

Loads of berrys about at this time of year...I wouldn't advise snacking on these ones but I did munch though one or two blackberries which were conveniently lining my route.

Found the following tucked off the main path overlooking a small glade with a man made pond, for bird and deer watching I would assume.

 

And obviously I just had to climb it to have a proper look...during which I was stung by a nettle, got a splinter stuck in my finger and put my hand in bird poo...all in the name of exploration

Bosham, a Ferry Cross the River and Where Not to Park....

In the grand tradition of the odd British weather the dull, glum, gloomy and wet weather of the last month has finally cleared off and been replaced with pleasant, sunny and dry weather...whoop.  This spell of Vitamin D inducing goodiness will last approximately until the nasty low pressure looming out in the Atlantic decides to, quite literally, rain on my parade...grrr.

Anyhoo, Dad and I observed the sudden display of sunshine and decided a little walk was in order so to Bosham and Itchenor we did went.

Herein lies the picture postcard village of Bosham

Surrounded on three sides by water, this particular view is from the far side of the harbour which at low tide can be crossed on foot

And at high tide is mainly used for sailing

Also at high tide, this tends to happen to the harbour road, thus not a good place to park your car if you want to visit the village

Also not a great plan to try and drive through, like the following driver wisely decided against.

To reach Itchenor from Bosham on foot the best thing to do is catch the little ferry a form of which has been operating in the channel since the 17th Century.

The ferry is also used to transport folk to and from their moored boats and if you're lucky enough you can have a little ride up and down the stretch of water taking in the scenery and all the yachts you will never be able to afford....and on a sunny day like yesterday the extra 10 minutes out of the ferry was bliss.

We also walked part the way down the Itchenor path which heads to the Witterings, a walk I did a couple of months back, pictures from which can be found here .  This walk ended up being a little further than intended the estimate of 4 miles actually worked out at 7.5 miles...but what a perfect view and a prefect day.