11/2/07 - 19 of us met at the priory car park, making our way towards Carisbrooke Castle, and on to Lukely Brook. The footpath beside the brook was good to soft, and very soft in places, sighs of relif were heard as we approached the end of the footpath, to be replaced with groans of despair, when the group saw the condition of the the next lane. The path across the fields and up the lane to Garstons was firmer underfoot, a stop at Garstons for quick refreshments, and admiring the view. Martin wanted to make an official complaint about the mud, but it was pointed out to him in the walk description that the 1st mile or so could be muddy. From Garstons, down Snowdrop Lane (no snowdrops), past Gatcombe church, and on to a mill and Champion Farm, following the River Medina towards Blackwater. A quick refreshment break at Blackwater before walking the cycle route back to Shide. After a relatively flat walk, an obligatory hill to test the muscles, to Mount Joy, and the dead centre of Carisbrooke (Carisbrooke Cemetry - ok old joke)

Leader - Alf

Total Distance - 7.5 Miles