Kevin's Rambles Group walk at the Devils Punch Bowl Hindhead

This is the Kevin's Rambles group walk at the devils punch bowl, in April 2024
Sixteen people turned up for the walk despite the weather not being very good at the start.
There was some rain but mostly it was dry but very cold.
There were 2 new comers Louise and Barry, they were very welcome.
There were 2 who did the short walk, Tracey and Louise.
We descended from the Gibbet down through woodland until we reached a cross roads, here we took a left turn through more woodland until we reached the Temple of the winds. We took a very short break before pressing on. We continued through sweet chestnut woods, where we saw some beautiful bluebells that spread out before us like a carpet.
There are people that still do not realise that where these masses of bluebells are these are protected and you are not allowed to dig them up or even pick them.
We finally got back to the car park after a 3.5 miles walk.
We, as usual, had a lot of chatter going on and lots of laughing, some small amount of teasing was aimed at Angela but she is great and she takes it all very well, and hopefully she realises that its all in fun, (Marq English is the worst) ;-).
Some information about the Devils Punch Bowl.
information from Wikipedia.
The Devil's Punch Bowl is a 282.2-hectare (697-acre) visitor attraction and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest situated just to the east of the village of Hindhead in the English county of Surrey. It is part of the Wealden Heaths Phase II Special Protection Area.
The Punch Bowl is a large natural amphitheatre and is the source of many stories about the area. The London to Portsmouth road (the A3) skirted the rim of the site before the Hindhead Tunnel was built in 2011. The land is now owned and maintained by the National Trust as part of the "Hindhead Commons and the Devil's Punch Bowl" property. The highest point of the rim of the bowl is Gibbet Hill, which is 272 metres (892 ft) above sea level and commands a panoramic view that includes, on a clear day, the skyline of London some 38 miles (61 km) away.
The Devil's Punch Bowl was featured on the 2005 TV programme Seven Natural Wonders as one of the wonders of the South.
Etymology
Aerial view of the Devil's Punch Bowl (photographed in January 2007, before the closure of the old A3).
The name Devil's Punch Bowl dates from at least 1768, the year that John Rocque's map of the area was published. This was 18 years before the murder of the unknown sailor on Gibbet Hill, so this event was clearly not the origin of the name. Prior to 1768, it was marked as "ye Bottom" on a map by John Ogilby dated 1675. The northern end of the Bowl is known as Highcombe Bottom which exists in different variants: Hackombe Bottom, Hacham Bottom, and Hackham Bottom.
Natural history
The soil in this part of Surrey has two layers - an upper layer of sandstone, with clay beneath. This deep depression is believed to be the result of erosion caused by spring water beneath the sandstone, causing the upper level to collapse. With its steep sides, the Devil's Punch Bowl has become a natural nature reserve, filled with heathland, streams and woodland.
The site has abundant wildlife. Most woodland species can be seen easily - including lesser spotted woodpecker and common redstart. It has been known for the wood warbler, a rare summer visitor, but the last documented sighting was in 2009.
Local legends
The Devil's Punch Bowl seen from above, by the Sailor's Stone
Local legend has colourful theories as to its creation. According to one story, the Devil became so irritated by all the churches being built in Sussex during the Middle Ages that he decided to dig a channel from the English Channel through the South Downs and flood the area. As he began digging, he threw up huge lumps of earth, each of which became a local landmark - such as Chanctonbury Ring, Cissbury Ring and Mount Caburn. He got as far as the village of Poynings (an area known as the Devil's Dyke) when he was disturbed by a cock crowing. (One version of this story claims that it was the prayers of St Dunstan that made all the local cocks crow earlier than usual.) The devil assumed that dawn was about to break and leapt into Surrey, creating the Devil's Punch Bowl where he landed.
Another story goes that, in his spare time, he hurled lumps of earth at the god Thor to annoy him. The hollow out of which he scooped the earth became the Punch Bowl. The local village of Thursley means Thor's place. An alternative version of this story says that Thor threw the earth at the Devil, who was annoying Thor by jumping across the Devil's Jumps.
Music.
Andrew Norris
Scottholmesmusic.com
Music: Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos
License code: OFYY8AEUQPYGRKVW
Music I use: www.bensound.com
License code: FKWDXJ22RDMSEGRI

[@andrewnorris2]

No matter the weather the landscape is glorious and the Sailor's story is a tragedy but we all still mention him, and some of us have made videos about him, so he is not forgotten! I'd have loved to have been there, with my plastic bags, but a joy to enjoy the walk through your video, Kevin

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Andrew 😊. We miss you on every walk, Andrew. As you say, several of us made videos there. The sailor should never be forgotten, and he won't be while we keep mentioning him.

[@fionahammond9396]

Hi Kevin Cynthia and Steve what a lovely walk looked even better now the leaves are back on the trees well done to all of you how I wish that I could do the walks but due th arthritis in my feet and ankles that is no longer possible thats for sharing it all enjoyed the walk x❤

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Fiona 😊. As you say, the leaves are coming back now, and that is always a special time of year. It's such a shame, Fiona, that you are unable to get out on walks 😢.

[@sherryallen4537]

Thank you Kevin for sharing another beautiful walk! I love seeing everyone having fun out in nature. The trees are so lovely this time of year. All the best to you and your family from Massachusetts! 😊🌲🌳

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Sherry 😊. It was another lovely walk, the group is great, so friendly, and always willing to be patient and help each other. Take care Sherry, my regards to your family.

[@michaelwhite8031]

Lovely video seeing you all having fun. Sussex is my favourite county.

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Michael 😊. Sussex is a very lovely county.

[@lynnb_and_ky_springer_spaniel]

What a lovely walk and one which we will definitely do when the weather cheers up a bit. So pleased you all had a lovely time 🥰

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Lynn 😊. It was another lovely walk, you were all missed. We can meet up with you, do the walk.

[@lynnb_and_ky_springer_spaniel]

@@KevinsRambles Nice to be missed 🥰 That would be lovely 🥰

[@PhilipOlsen11]

Hi Kevin. Another great ramble, but a shame it’s just so wet and damp underfoot. Great that it didn’t rain did you. Lovely to see those bluebells 👍

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Phillip 😊. The weather wasn't too bad, really. If you want to see a video with rain in it, scroll back through my videos until you find one I did at Loxwood on the canal.

[@BoninBrighton]

Looks like a great gathering!

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Bonny 😊. It was a very pleasant surprise 😊.

[@cathyadamson1073]

Thank you for your walks. The countryside is beautiful. It's nice that you go as a group. It looks like you have a lot of fun. One day I might give hiking a try!

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Cathy 😊. Where do you live? Walking with a group of like-minded people makes the day even more special.

[@cathyadamson1073]

I live an hour outside of Toronto, Ontario Canada! Across the pond as you say! 😊

[@KevinsRambles]

@cathyadamson1073 Thank you for your reply. If you decide to start walking/hiking/ or Rambling, try and find a group local to yourself. I now have people subscribed to me from Canada 🇨🇦 the USA 🇺🇸 Australia 🇦🇺 New Zealand 🇳🇿 Ireland 🇮🇪 and some place called England 🇬🇧

[@cathyadamson1073]

You seem to be a likable person. Your personality shines through. You make an excellent guide! :)

[@KevinsRambles]

@cathyadamson1073 Thank you, Cathy. I really appreciate that 😘

[@marieascot]

I am glad I missed the weather but miss the bon hommie.

[@KevinsRambles]

Thank you, Marie 😊. The weather wasn't that bad, really to be honest.

[@marieascot]

@@KevinsRambles I should have been more brave and joined you.

[@KevinsRambles]

@@marieascot definitely Marie