We met in good time for an 11:00am start at the car park for West Green House, a National Trust property. Due to the inclement weather the main car park was closed. However there was ample parking for the 12 hardy souls along the approach to the house or in the lay by opposite the entrance.
We headed across the common and made our way to the outskirts of Hartley Wintney, after passing the first obstacle - a slightly flooded field. Some of us kept to where the path should have been others tried to go around the worst of the flooding.
Hazeley Heath was picturesque and the boarded walkways were welcome. A deeply rutted and muddy track proved not to be as challenging as it looked at first sight.
We paused for lunch by the mill house at Dipley. Some took the opportunity to sit down, but most preferred to stand. Then on to Mattingley. As the church appeared through the trees I thought it was a Tudor house until I caught sight of the tower.
To the disappointment of some we did not stop at the pub - the thought of taking off wet outer garments and then having to put them on again was not appealing. Instead we made our way back to West Green House and partook of hot drinks and cake in the cafe.
It was an enjoyable walk, despite the weather, and 12 ramblers returned safe and in good spirits. Even though we had intermittent showers for most of the day, those ramblers who also belonged to the National Trust braved the weather and looked around the gardens.
Thank you to Christine for writing up this walk and providing the pictures.
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