| Date: Location: Walk Leader: Participants: Distance: Parking: Lunch: | 10th December 2014 Rushmore Rob Rob, Peter, Ray 9.3 miles Rushmore Golf Club The Rushmore Restaurant at the Golf Club ★★★ "Children are welcome & we often have groups dropping in for refreshment after walking in the surrounding countryside." |
It was not the brightest looking day when we arrived at the car park but it wasn't raining and one or two hardy souls were actually playing golf. The course was certainly not crowded!
We set off along the road that leads past Cuttice Lodge and on to the Ox Drove. There are some magnificent trees on the Rushmore estate and some may be seen beside this stretch of road. More exciting however was our first sight of a Red Kite in this area. A camera with a long telephoto lens was unfortunately not at hand!
The Ox Drove was passable but was unfortunately not at its best as a result of the recent rain. The conditions underfoot improved considerably when we reached the road and turned off towards Dank Wood Corner. We were also treated to the sight of a double rainbow in the field beside us. The walk alongside Stonedown Wood is always interesting with a large number of beech trees on the steep slopes to the west. We were also thankful for the trees which protected us a bit from the light rain that had started as we left the Ox Drove.
Shermel Gate now looks a lot tidier than it did when we first started walking in this area but parking there looks a lot more dubious.
On the climb from Shermel Gate and into Chase Woods we came across a low growing spiky plant with red berries growing out from the leaves. This turned out to be Butcher's broom alternatively known as Shepherd's myrtle - most appropriate! If you wish to appear erudite you might even call it Ruscus aculeatus. The path then drops down to the south eastern end of Longcroft Road before starting on what seems like a never ending climb up to Chase Avenue. The beech trees that grow along Chase Avenue are reminiscent of Kinkston Lacey and help to make the effort seem worthwhile. Unfortunately the heavy breathing is not over as the route drops down quite steeply before the next and steepest uphill section. The Club House is however not far away now and the thought of a pot of tea and a good lunch kept us going. After 9.3 miles it was well deserved.
This was another good walk even if I did unkindly suggest it might be called Rushmore 95!
We set off along the road that leads past Cuttice Lodge and on to the Ox Drove. There are some magnificent trees on the Rushmore estate and some may be seen beside this stretch of road. More exciting however was our first sight of a Red Kite in this area. A camera with a long telephoto lens was unfortunately not at hand!
The Ox Drove was passable but was unfortunately not at its best as a result of the recent rain. The conditions underfoot improved considerably when we reached the road and turned off towards Dank Wood Corner. We were also treated to the sight of a double rainbow in the field beside us. The walk alongside Stonedown Wood is always interesting with a large number of beech trees on the steep slopes to the west. We were also thankful for the trees which protected us a bit from the light rain that had started as we left the Ox Drove.
Shermel Gate now looks a lot tidier than it did when we first started walking in this area but parking there looks a lot more dubious.
On the climb from Shermel Gate and into Chase Woods we came across a low growing spiky plant with red berries growing out from the leaves. This turned out to be Butcher's broom alternatively known as Shepherd's myrtle - most appropriate! If you wish to appear erudite you might even call it Ruscus aculeatus. The path then drops down to the south eastern end of Longcroft Road before starting on what seems like a never ending climb up to Chase Avenue. The beech trees that grow along Chase Avenue are reminiscent of Kinkston Lacey and help to make the effort seem worthwhile. Unfortunately the heavy breathing is not over as the route drops down quite steeply before the next and steepest uphill section. The Club House is however not far away now and the thought of a pot of tea and a good lunch kept us going. After 9.3 miles it was well deserved.
This was another good walk even if I did unkindly suggest it might be called Rushmore 95!
 A Tree! |  Red Kite |  Double Rainbow |  Chase Avenue |
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