Like my Easter Monday walk, the weather came up trumps, this time with a record May temperature. Despite the predicted hot weather, thirteen members started off from Alton Station for a five mile walk in the Hampshire countryside.

We soon reached the King’s Pond where we were greeted by a family of Canada Geese, including numerous cute goslings. Accompanied by the sound of a steam train on the adjacent Watercress Line, we continued waterside to a long flight of steps. These took us up Windmill Hill, although sadly there was no sign of such a structure when we reached the top. A narrow road took us down again and then under the Alton by-pass to a quiet lane heading south. We soon passed Kiln House, a grand converted oast house indicative of the time Alton was renowned for hop growing.

Turning west, we spotted a peacock in the grounds of Westbrook Grange. Then fields with lots of lambs and ewes took us to the Greyfriars pub in Chawton for some well-earned refreshment. The village is famed for its association with Jane Austen and her house could be seen opposite the pub.

The route back to Alton took us past many locations connected with the author. Reaching the station was when things went awry. Signalling problems meant our return journey to London was greatly protracted with some of us sitting in a stationary train for over three hours, fortunately in air-conditioned comfort!

Danny