Staycation Day 3

So, today was Staycation Day three, and we decided to do the Rookley ramble suggested by Southern Vectis buses. As ever, we got the number 1 to Newport and then caught the number 3, hopping off at Blackwater Hollow. The directions said to ignore the first footpath and take the second but we missed the signpost as it was hidden beneath some luxurious foliage, and stomped off up the main road. This was rather dangerous as there was no pavement or verge and there was lots of traffic. We turned round fairly quickly and found where we were meant to go.

 

The path went past some houses and paddocks, and then fields before joining up with the Newport - Sandown cycle track (which used to be the railway line I believe). We came to a fork in the road, took the left towards Stenbury House and continued on, managing to miss our next turning. My map reading skills are impressive! The path went past three houses, the last of which had a garden full of carved tree stumps by local craftsman Paul Sivell. When we realised we had gone too far, we turned back and found we had walked past a gateway sale of produce, so I picked up some runner beans and rhubarb for a donation to the local donkey sanctuary.

 

Once we were on the right path, everything became straight forward (I read the map and instructions very carefully) and we had a pleasant walk through arable fields, sheep pasture, and woodland. We picnicked on the side of a harvested potato field and found a beautiful hawk moth caterpillar. Towards the end we detoured, as suggested, to the Chequers Inn and had a cold drink and shared a bowl of chips. Lovely! We then retraced our steps past Rookley Farm, across another field and somebody's garden and into Rookley Village. We only had to wait a few minutes for the bus and then went home, tired and happy.

Route: http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_3921360.html
Distance: official 4.81 miles.  Actual 5.96 miles
Footpaths: A36, A37, GL1, GL5, GL5a, GL6,
Buses: 1 & 3
Budget: pub £6.35, roadside produce £3.10 (which I have to pay back into the kitty apparently...)

Hawk moth caterpillar

View towards Blackwater

Hedgerow and farm-gate produce