22/7/07 - Good turn out for the walk, about 19 walkers, including two Australian visitors, we were also accompanied by three dogs, Annie, Archie and Barney.
We started in good weather, which held for us throughout the walk, leaving Sandown railway station, walking along Perowne Way, to the cycle path, and through to Alverstone, whilst avoiding some good natured, and some not so good natured cyclists.
At the old school house in Alverstone we turned on to the Knowles Way footpath, then up onto Brading Down. On our way on to Ashey Down, Barney couldn't make the stile and had to be helped over - in return for this, he rolled in the nearest fresh cow pat, ready to be helped over the next stile. The lunch break was the top of Ashey Down, overlooking Ashey and Ryde, with views across the Solent to the Spinnaker Tower.
Making our way off the downs, admiring the rowan berries, we turned into Eaglehead Copse, then through the fields to Nunwell Farm Lane.
Crossing Green Lane into Hardingshute, stopping to admire the ducks, maybe even tagging one for christmas? No bread left to feed them, all sandwiches had been consumed. Turning on to footpaths towards Whitefield Farm, and joining Ashey Road, a short walk to Smallbrook Stadium, a footpath running behind the stadium to Smallbrook Lane, where we had a less than pleasant walk along the road, with drivers refusing to slow down, to join the footpath beside Rosemary Vineyard.

Leader - Alf

Total Distance - 7.5 Miles
Average Speed - 2.7mph