Stratum

Rock? No this is fungi on a beech tree, odd stuff it seemed to solid and dark at the top and whiteish on the bottom. It looks like bracket fungus and that would mean there is heartwood decay in tree. Shame because the tree is part of an old avenue of beech on the Romsey Road.
Larger
We did a similar walk to last week down and around into town. Even though we cut a bit out mooching round the art market and a diversion to the Art Cafe meant we walked further. The coffee in the Art Cafe is very good, so if you are in Winchester and looking for somewhere to sit it is well worth investigating; the art isn't to my taste but the coffee is excellent and it is a relaxing place to sit. It is opposite the library (Discovery Centre) and Theatre Royal, they seem to have a lot going on as well.