On a icy-cold day, a dozen Petersfield Ramblers walkers caught the number 54 bus to Uppark House where we were met by four more walkers.

We were well organised by Gordon Churchill whose brainchild this visit on December 17 was.

We arrived 30 minutes before the house opened, but on time for the café’s opening.

Some of us took advantage of the cafe to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and a tasty treat while others found a cosy seat in the garden’s gazebo where they were treated by Gordon to home-made cake.

Once the house opened, we entered a Christmas world of years gone by.

Inside, we perused and admired the hand-made Christmas decorations around the house that was built in 1690 by Ford Grey, the Earl of Tankerville.

These had been made by local community groups, and reflected the lives of the inhabitants of this 17th-century house at this festive time of year.

The decorations were made from products derived from nature, such as dried fruits, evergreen fronds and pinecones with some emitting the pleasant aroma of spices and pine. And there were of course paper chains – but made from newspaper.

We were greeted in most rooms by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers.

The smaller of the two historically-important dolls’ houses was intricately decorated for Christmas and was a popular point of interest.

We then split into two groups, and one led by Gordon walked down through The Warren to South Harting to take the bus back to Petersfield.

The second group, led by Paul and Linda Farley, set out on the on a six and a half-mile walk back to Petersfield.

Our route took us along the South Downs Way and the Milky Way to Buriton.

The Milky Way is the name of a steep path which cuts a diagonal line across the slope of the Downs, that gets its name from its milky-white chalkiness rather than any galactic or chocolatey association. It takes you down to Buriton through the wonderfully-named Cockshot Wood.

Once in the village, we had a lunch stop next to Buriton Pond, where we were well entertained by the ducks and moorhens literally skating on frozen sections of the pond.

Then on December 21, despite the forecast of rain, no fewer than 25 keen walkers, wearing various Christmas hats, met at the Newman Collard car park in Liss for a six-mile walk led by Hilary and Gordon via Durford Heath and Rogate Common.

Our walk leaders had kindly extended an invitation to members to join them at their home for hot drinks and mince pies and everyone was enthusiastic to partake in their generous offer!

Petersfield Ramblers Club is an independent organisation affiliated to the Ramblers Association and the South Downs Society.

For details visit the website at https://petersfieldramblers.org/