Winchester Walk and Meal
On the 10th Dec twenty one members of the Rambling and Healthy Walking Groups took themselves off to Winchester by train for the day. From the city centre the majority set off on a 5 mile walk into the countryside following the general path of the River Itchen. The mainly level route took in a coffee stop at the Cadence Cafe at the foot of St Catherine’s Hill (we walked round the hill rather than up it), the Hockley Viaduct, part of a disused railway line closed in 1966, and The Hospital of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Proverty, dating back to 1132. Those that didn’t do the walk entertained themselves taking in the city sights, shops and Christmas Market in the Cathedral grounds. The walk concluded at the The Queen Inn in Winchester, a wonderful pub with it’s own micro brewery and vast range of real ales. There the walkers were met by the sightseeing/shopping contingent where all enjoyed an excellent Christmas meal. Many thanks go to Nigel for organising such a superb day. We’ll even let him take credit for the weather which miraculously was both dry and sunny after weeks of rain.
