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Clayton
– Sunday 1 December 2019
Eight stalwart members, undaunted by the advance
warnings of the prospect of a mud bath, set off from the Clayton Mills car
park on a cold but clear day. After record-breaking Autumn rainfall, it was a
relief to find the long-range weather forecast for a dry day was correct and
we even enjoyed some sunny spells. We set off in a southerly direction on a
short stretch of the South Downs Way before diverting off onto another path
that took us to Lower Standean Farm. We passed
through North Bottom, where we had a short refreshment stop making use of some
trees whose bent trunks made a convenient seating area, before climbing back
up towards Ditchling Beacon Nature Reserve. Here we re-joined the South Downs
Way to head westward back to the car park with the winter sun highlighting
the dips and folds of the downland panorama spread
out before us.
The anticipated mud was less severe than
expected, having dried out a little in the preceding week, and one of our
number even boasted his boots were cleaner at the end of the walk than when
we started (draw your own conclusions about how clean he usually keeps his
boots!).
The walk was led by Wendy.
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Southease
to Glynde – Wednesday 13 November 2019
Eleven of us met at Lewes station and caught the
9.29 train to Southease but found it was not going to stop so we had to go to
Seaford and then come back on the same train and get off at Southease! The walk started by going over the
footbridge and on up Itford Hill to the very top
where we had a short break. The views
were wonderful both to the south and to the north. The sun shone and there was hardly any wind
either. We then walked to the cattle
grid on the SDW, turned to our left and came down
‘Furlongs’ to meet the A27 at Littledene – crossed over
and walked the last section to Glynde station and caught the 12.27 back to
Lewes.
A lovely group of walkers and we thoroughly
enjoyed the sun after many days and weeks of rain. Rosemary Norris and Sandra Ellis
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Bexhill
to Hastings – Tuesday 29 October
Tuesday 29th October was a blustery day for
our walk from Bexhill to Hastings with a keen head wind
but thankfully, after all the recent downpours, it remained dry. We took the train to Bexhill where we had
coffee at the De la Warr Pavilion and then followed
the five-mile coastal route through to Hastings.
At one point some walked up Galley Hill
whilst others went along the beach. We
wound our way past many beach huts (not in use with summer gone) and also
fishermen’s huts with their small boats and nets drawn up on the beach. We also stopped to watch a brave young man
take a dip in the sea. On the pretty
sea front at St Leonards we took a short break then carried on to the train
station although several people stayed on to have lunch. Our train arrived immediately to whisk us
back to Lewes. 15 members joined the
walk which was led by Janet and Gill.
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The
Upper Adur – Wednesday 16 October
Six members of the Lewes Footpaths Group took
a chance on the weather, and the conditions underfoot, going out for a circular
walk across the water meadows of the upper reaches of the River Adur. Despite the recent heavy rain, walking
across the meadows, was squelchy in places, but
better than it might have been.
However, then we arrived at a footbridge over
the outlet stream from a pond. Ten
days ago, the bridge, although without a useable handrail, was solid on its
mounting. Not today. It was floating and very slippery. At least there was a bridge to cross! We tried last year, when the bridge was
completely submerged! Helping each
other, everyone managed to get to the other side, although not quite without
incident, as one walker slipped and ended up with one leg knee deep. No harm done though, just a bit soggy.
We continued, to reach the River Adur,
walking alongside, and then across the river, and out through fields to Frylands Lane. Now
on our return leg now, we stopped: for refreshments at a conveniently located
picnic bench: then to admire a fairy mushroom ring; and to watch deer in the
distance. We walked past Shermanbury Place and the church of St Giles, and finally
made our way across the water meadows.
At least the weather remained dry for the duration of the walk, even
if it was soggy underfoot. For some
more than others. Anita led the walk.
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The
Cuckmere Valley – Sunday 6 October
Perhaps optimistically hoping for a fine dry,
day nine members of the Lewes Footpaths Group set off from Exceat Bridge,
heading upstream along the River Cuckmere.
There was plenty of bird life to add interest on our walk. The sun shone for us as we passed the white
horse, continuing upstream towards the village of Litlington. Underfoot it was very muddy and sticky in
places, making our progress slow and sometimes difficult. Eventually, we crossed the river to head up
onto the South Downs and the Vanguard Way, following the path into Friston
Forest and the hamlet of Westdean. Pausing by the village pond the group
agreed to continue along the current path and climb the many steps ahead of
them. Their reward, a well-earned rest
at the top, and the iconic view of Cuckmere Haven. Dropping back down to Exceat two of the
group made their way back to the start point.
The rest of the group continued through the Seven Sisters Country
Park, opting to walk along the concrete road, spurred on by the prospect of
lunch on the beach. The wind was keen,
but the sun shone.
The final stretch of our walk took us across
the back of the beach, where on reaching the river we turned to walk inland
again alongside the river. There were
many Little Egrets to be seen along the way.
We eventually returned to Exceat Bridge, having walked about 8 miles
in total. Anita led the walk.
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Rushlake Green - Sunday 22
September 2019
On the first day of Autumn, 10 walkers from
the Lewes Footpaths Group braved a forecast of heavy rain for a 5-mile
circular walk starting at Rushlake Green. From the village
we passed through the Ian Price memorial gate, named after a young linesman
tragically killed while trying to restore the electricity supply after the
1987 storm, onto a woodland path which brought us out onto the road to Warbleton and thence to its church, where we turned left
and crossed the fields, to the sound of church bells. The day remained dry
and surprisingly warm.
We reached the road near Vines Cross and
stopped for our coffee break before doubling back across farmland to reach Furnace
Lane and thence a bridleway leading back to our starting point. The rain
finally arrived as we made our way back to Lewes. The walk was led by Anne.
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Rose Hill to Ringmer Stroll - Wednesday 18 September
2019
Twelve walkers enjoyed a sunny morning stroll
from the Halfway House public house at Rose Hill to Ringmer. We caught bus
number 29 from Waitrose which dropped us beside the pub car park.
Unfortunately we had to cross the A26 to get to the start of our stroll on
the opposite side of the road. With no
cars visible in either direction we crossed quickly in a line shoulder to
shoulder shielded by the leader and backmarker in high visibility jackets.
Safely on the other side we followed the track and footpaths along the
northern edge of Plashett Wood. After about a mile we turned right onto
Harvey’s Lane and looked for the bridle path on our right beside the second
house. It was easy to follow the bridle path but on a wet day would be very
muddy in places caused by the horses. We negotiated the only two stiles on
the walk and eventually arrived at the junction of Green Lane, Norlington
Lane and Broyle Lane. Here we paused to look at the well kept graves of two
soldiers who fought a duel in the early 1800’s. We
continued on Norlington Lane seeing a glider being towed high to start his
leisurely descent. At Little Norlington we took the footpath on our left that
led us to Broyle Lane on the built up outskirts of Ringmer. The official end
of our three mile stroll was at the bus stop in Broyle Lane where the 28 bus
heads back to Lewes. Most walkers preferred to take the footpath from Broyle
Lane and walk a further mile across fields and the village green to Ringmer
village and catch the 28 or 29 bus back to Lewes.
The guidance notes for walk leaders define a stroll as being between 2.5 and
3.5 miles at a gentle and unhurried pace which I think we achieved. Dave was
the leader.
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Ardingly and West
Hoathly – Wednesday 21 August 2019
Nine of us set out on Wednesday 21 August on
a circular walk from Ardingly recreation ground through West Hoathly. The walk was characterised
by its beautiful scenery, its variety and the large number of stiles. The
weather was perfect for walking, bright or sunny all day, but not too hot.
Conditions underfoot were a little wet after overnight rain, but we were able
to take advantage of a strategically placed picnic table in West Hoathly for a rather late lunch.
We crossed the Bluebell Railway and were
rewarded by the sight of a passing steam train. The steepest hill of the day was reached in
the late morning and we paused at the top to regain our breath and to take a
drinks stop. Further on, in West Hoathly, we passed the ancient church of St Margaret,
dating from 1090, and the fifteenth century Priest House, now a museum. Both are well worth a visit, but there was
no time on this occasion.
Shortly after this, we were dismayed to read
a sign saying that the route ahead was closed. However, after reading it more carefully,
we realised it was several years out of date and
could safely be ignored.
Finally, we walked along the edge of the county
show ground to regain our cars. The walk was led by Janet and Peter.
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Woods Mill – Sunday 11 August 2019
We set off from the Woods Mill Nature Reserve
the day after much of the country had been beset by windstorms. Luckily the
strong winds had subsided, though it was still pretty gusty
in places. After skirting the Reserve, we headed in a south-westerly
direction towards the Downs, crossing fields and passing through woodland. We
reached the foot of the Downs at Edburton and then
climbed steeply up Fulking Escarpment with splendid views of the Weald behind
us and a plethora of wildflowers under our feet.
After staggering to the top of the Downs, on
reaching the South Downs Way at the top and turning to the west, we had to
battle against quite strong winds, but these didn’t detract from our
appreciation of the wide views of the coastline. After walking along the top
of the Downs for about a mile, we took a very welcome snack break at the café
of Truleigh Hill Youth Hostel. Suitable refreshed,
we commenced our descent, first gradual, then steep, with more great views,
this time of the Adur valley. From the base of the Downs, we strolled back
across more fields and woods to return to Woods Mill. Despite the less than
ideal conditions for butterflies, we did spot about eight different species.
The fourteen walkers were led by Alan.
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Lewes Afternoon Tea Stroll – Saturday 3 August 2019
As it turned out most, if not all, of the
eleven members who convened on Cliffe Bridge were mostly
interested in the afternoon tea part of the outing and the stroll along the
banks of the River Ouse, past the recycling centre at Ham Lane, along the
road by the Cockshut and thence to the café at Anne
of Cleves House was simply a means to this end.
That is not to say that the aforementioned
stroll was not enjoyable and not without some interest. The river itself was very full, being at
the peak of a spring tide, which meant that when we reached the bridge under
the railway line a certain amount of careful fence hanging was required in
order to avoid getting our feet wet in the encroaching water. The warm, slightly muggy, weather allowed
us to enjoy our afternoon tea in the garden with the welcome company of the
group’s President who was waiting for us when we arrived. This was a lovely surprise that completed a
most enjoyable outing led by Hilda and Graham.
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Ditchling Stroll – Tuesday 23 July 2019
Despite the hot weather, 11 members took part
in a stroll in and around Ditchling last week. Starting at the Village Hall car park they
walked across fields to the Nye before returning to the Lewes Road and the
recreation ground. After crossing many
excellent sets of steps erected by the Monday Group they found their way by
public footpath to Dumbrells Court. After a short stretch of road in North End
they took the path beside Court Gardens Farm to reach the bridleway that
marks the boundary between East and West Sussex.
A refreshment stop ensued at Oldland Mill where it was interesting to watch volunteers
manoeuvring a sweep to erect on the windmill. The return to Ditchling beside Lodge Hill
Lane enabled the walkers to appreciate the views of the South Downs before
they reached Boddingtons Lane and returned to the Village Hall car park. Some members then took advantage of a
coffee shop to have a light lunch before returning to Lewes. The walk was led
by Robert.
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Alfriston and Rathfinny
Vineyard – Sunday 14 July 2019
Sixteen members of Lewes Footpaths Group met
at the High and Over car park in Seaford on a fresher morning than of late.
We started with a steep downhill walk through fields towards Alfriston. At the start of Alfriston, the group turned
left up a woody path leading quite steeply to the top of the Downs where we
stopped for our break. Here we had
really good views of the surrounding hills, colourful
fields and the sea. We then carried on further over the Downs turning left
around the Rathfinny Vineyards where we had really
good views of how the Estate has been expanding. We continued our walk slightly uphill,
through the trees and fields back to the car park.
We were accompanied by Bob Eade who pointed out the different butterflies and
flowers that we came across. The walk was led by Jean.
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East Dean, Birling Gap Circular
– Wednesday 26 June 2019
On an overcast and blustery morning sixteen
walkers left the car park in the village of East Dean. It was tempting to stop and browse the
interesting market stalls. Led by Anita
we proceeded along the ancient Went Way, stopping from time to time to admire
some very picturesque properties. We
then climbed through the woods of Went Hill, the first of the Seven Sisters,
stopping to admire the view of the Belle Tout. On reaching the open down land we turned
east and headed towards the sea and the “honey-pot” of Birling
Gap.
Joining the South Downs Way and continuing
eastwards we climbed towards the Belle Tout, anticipating ice creams once
there. Stopping and turning on our way
up to admire the views back towards Seaford Head. Sadly, no ice creams at the Belle Tout
today, although we hunkered down in the shelter of the flint walls, for our
coffee stop.
Refreshed, we continued east, with views of Beachy Head and its lighthouse. On reaching the road we turned inland, entertained
by a sparrow hawk, very low-down hunting for prey. We continued across open fields, with
flowers in the hedgerows, eventually reaching the road back towards East Dean
village. Walking through the church
yard, passing the rose covered entrance to the church of St Simon and St
Jude, and leaving by the tapsel gate we returned to
the East Dean village green. Here the
group split, some returning home, whilst others stayed on for a very sociable
lunch, now basking in the afternoon sun.
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Arlington – Sunday 16 June 2019
Despite the unseasonably wet and cool weather
forecast, 17 of us set out from Arlington up Tye
Hill, then turning left into the woods and across the Cuckmere at Sessingham Bridge. Because of the recent rains, the river
was in full flow, despite it being close to midsummer’s day. Emerging from
the woods we climbed gently across fields by a hedgerow, which afforded us
little protection from the now quite heavy rain.
At the top of the hill we entered another
wooded area near to Arlington reservoir, where we decided to have our coffee
break under the protection of the trees. This turned out to be a wise
decision – as we emerged into the open on the banks of the reservoir, the
rain stopped and we walked almost the whole way around the reservoir in fair
weather, even catching a brief glimpse of the sun at one point. From the end
of the dam, it was just a short walk through the fields and back over the
Cuckmere to Arlington church and the car park nearby. Despite the inclement
weather, it was a pleasant walk, led by Alan.
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Arlington Evening Walk – Tuesday 11 June 2019
Twenty-three of us set off from the Yew Tree Inn
at Arlington car park picking up a track through woodland, crossing the
Cuckmere River and arriving at the Arlington Reservoir. This was an ideal spot for our short
mid-walk break, with mown grassy verges and picnic tables. We sat in the sunshine with views across
the reservoir, with the church at Arlington in the distance.
We set off again, initially skirting the
reservoir, then striking out across a series of fields, with crops at varying
stages of growth. We then picked up the Wealdway,
finally emerging at the churchyard of Saint Pancras,
Arlington, just a short walk away from our starting point.
Everyone agreed that it had been a most
enjoyable walk, all the more so for the unexpectedly fine conditions – and,
at slightly under 5 miles on mainly flat and easy tracks, not too onerous but
just right to work up an appetite for supper.
All the walkers stayed on for a delicious supper at the welcoming Yew
Tree Inn, providing a delightful end to the evening.
The walk was led by Vivien.
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Bolney – Sunday 2 June 2019
Twenty-three members
of the Lewes Footpaths Group enjoyed a gloriously warm, sunny day for our walk
around Bolney, which replaced the scheduled Chiddingly walk. Starting from
the village street, we followed Lodge Lane to reach Nailard’s
Wood. A pleasant stroll through woodland tracks brought us to a short section
of road, from which we turned northwards to follow a track uphill to Rout
Farm, past some sheep looking uncomfortably hot in their heavy fleeces.
Continuing northwards, we reached the outskirts of Warninglid
and turned sharp right into a field where we stopped for a coffee break.
Heading back south, we crossed several fields to reach Colwood
Lane, and then turned left into Jeremy’s Lane. A stile took us onto fields
again and back to Bolney via a delightfully shady woodland track. The walk
was led by Anne.
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Firle to Southease - Tuesday 14 May 2019
This was a lovely
sunny day and eleven of us met at Lewes bus station to catch the 09.30 bus to
Firle Place gates. We walked up the
driveway and then up The Dock to the Coach Road. We took the steep path up
the Rabbit Track to the top of the Downs, pausing every so often to catch our
breath!
At the top we turned
west and followed the South Downs Way along past the car park and the radio
masts pausing to enjoy the marvellous views. After walking through a herd of
beef cows and their calves, we dropped down Itford
Hill, over the A26 footbridge and enjoyed a well-earned cup of coffee at the YHA café before walking on down to Southease station for
the 13.05 train back to Lewes.
The walk was led by
Rosemary Norris & Sandra Ellis.
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Spider Orchid Walk – Wednesday 8 May 2019
On May 8th, when the weather would have put most people off
going for a walk a quartet of intrepid botanists braved the elements and
caught the bus from Lewes bus station to the Newmarket pub and set off up
towards Newmarket Hill en route to Castle Hill National Nature Reserve. Hopes
were raised that the weather forecast was correct when the heaviest rain had
eased off by 9:30am, but the rain wasn’t quite done
with us and we were subjected to intermittent showers for a while thereafter.
Undaunted we carried on through the reserve to reach the area where the
orchids are known to be. It was immediately obvious they were nearly at the
end of their flowering period but fortunately there were still enough blooms
left to have made the walk worthwhile. These are quite small plants, only
about 10cm tall, so the best way to appreciate them
is to get down on hands and knees and view them with the aid of a lens or
magnifying glass and then you can see how they got their name
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Then we
returned to Lewes by climbing the downs overlooking Kingston. Spurred on by
the prospect of a stop for hot chocolate at the Juggs pub, we descended to
the village via the more direct but precipitous path that emerges at the top
of the main street. Once fortified by warming drinks and cheesy chips, one of
us caught a bus back to Lewes leaving the remaining trio to walk back, now in
glorious sunshine, past Spring Barn Farm and along the banks of the Cockshut stream where we were regaled by the distinctive
call of a marsh frog. The walk was led
by Wendy.
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Balsdean Valley – Tuesday 16 April 2019
Twenty of us set
off from the car park near Woodingdean cross roads and followed a track which
climbs gradually towards a radio mast. Then our track bears left through a
gate to follow a lovely path which descends gently round the contours of the
downs into Standean Bottom. Continuing through trees along the valley,
we took care to avoid the deep holes of old badger setts. We found the plaque which marks the site of
the old Norman church and learned a little of the history of the area where
the manor house and farm cottages were evacuated in the 2nd world war and
used as target practice. Norton Farm
was used as a lunatic asylum in the 19th century.
Our coffee
break was taken by the old farm buildings which are used for sheep shearing
later in the year. Sheep, with their delightful lambs, were curious to look
at us. We carried on across several
fields, past cows and young calves before tackling the steep climb up to the
South Downs Way. Here we were rewarded with a spectacular view over Kingston
towards Lewes and the Ouse valley. We
followed the South Downs Way for a mile or so, leaving it to make our gentle
descent, past another radio mast and back to the car park. The walk was led
by Janet and Gill and is Number 4 from our “Favourite Walks” booklet.
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Seaside Walk to Peacehaven – Sunday 7
April 2019
When the last
member joined us at Brighton Marina, the group numbered fifteen. The chalk cliffs there are full of geological
interest, the details of which were elaborated on by one of the group who has
knowledge of such matters. Once
pointed out, it is possible to see where a lot of sandy stuff had been shoved
over the chalk cliff by glaciers way back in the Ice Age. Glaciers only extended down to about 60 or
70 miles north of Brighton so they must have shoveled up a huge amount of
stuff for it to have reached this far south.
The cloud cover
failed to stop the sunshine heating up the under cliff path and layers were
shed as the temperature rose. At Ovingdean we stopped for refreshments at the kiosk and at
Rottingdean we stopped for a picnic looking out
over the flat calm, glistening sea.
Some of the group chose to leave at that point but the remaining
eleven carried along the top of the cliffs by the busy A259. Approaching Telscombe Cliffs, we came
across an obelisk with a weather vane on top.
The structure had been erected fifty years after the end of the Second
World War. Playfully, somebody had
moved the direction indicators through 180 degrees so that south was north
and east was west. For a moment it was
just a little disconcerting. After
following the re-instated path through the sewage works we joined the
Greenwich Meridian Trail which took us to the Meridian Monument to George V,
erected in 1936. Our return to Lewes
was facilitated by Brighton and Hove’s efficient bus service. Hilda and Graham ensured that nobody got
lost.
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Pointing at Misplaced Pointers
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Hemispherically Divided
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Stanmer Park – Sunday 24 March 2019
The Lewes
Footpaths Group walk on Sunday 24 March took place in Stanmer
Park. We set off from the parking area near Stanmer
Church and turned up the village street, in the company of crowds of other
walkers enjoying the spring sunshine. We walked past the café and the
picturesque flint and brick cottages, turning right after the final cottage
up a moderately steep hillside to a gateway into the woods, leaving the
crowds behind. Turning left after a
short distance, we followed a broad woodland track along the top of the
ridge.
Signs of
approaching spring were everywhere, with new green showing on hawthorn and
sycamore, and clumps of anemones, violets and primroses. We went on steadily
to reach High Park Farm, the highest part of the walk. Following the track,
we passed through a gateway and continued along a path running parallel to
the Ditchling Road. The woodland gave way to two open fields, where we
stopped for our coffee break, before entering Upper Lodge Wood. More tracks brought us to a car parking
area popular with dog walkers and their badly trained charges, where we
struck downhill, eventually passing behind the nurseries and Stanmer House to emerge a short distance from our
starting point. The walk was led by Anne.
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Seaford Head – Tuesday 19 March 2019
The 12 walkers
assembled at Splash Point felt they had struck lucky. After days of heavy
rain, gales or just anticyclonic gloom, the sky was
blue, the sun was shining and the wind had dropped. What a difference from
this time last year when we were in the grip of ‘the Beast from the East’.
We set off on
the steep climb to the top of Seaford Head – a good way to blow off the
cobwebs. Then a pause to look back and take in the stunning views across
Seaford and the coast beyond – and to regain our breath. We were on the
lookout for signs of Spring – and the first hit us loud and clear – the song
of the skylarks as they soared upwards and then wheeled earthwards to their
nesting areas, sounds that accompanied us throughout
the walk. We continued along the clifftop for a while, then turned
inland. Further signs of Spring greeted us: male chaffinches in their fine
new breeding plumage singing loudly from the tops of bushes. We were then
treated to the delightful spectacle of a field-full of ewes and their lambs
being rounded up by a very enthusiastic sheepdog in order to be driven down
to the barn for their foot baths.
Turning
eastwards to join the Vanguard Way, we found the path partially flooded, now
that the Cuckmere River is allowed to flow freely. At the Coastguard Cottages, we turned
westwards back along the clifftop, stopping from
time to time to look back at the Seven Sisters, one of the most iconic views
along the south coast which never fails to amaze and delight.
And so back
down to the promenade, all feeling the benefit of the fresh air, exercise and
good company – and the undeniable evidence that winter is over.
The walk was
led by Vivien.
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Lewes Circular - Sunday 10 March 2019
Nineteen of us
set off on a breezy but bright morning from North Street Car Park, past the Pells into Landport, from where we climbed up to the
Offham Road, continuing our ascent along Hill Road and then up to the
Racecourse. On the exposed stretches, we were subjected to extremely strong,
bracing or exhilarating winds, depending on your point of view. Making
progress in the face of this headwind and remaining vertical were something
of a struggle, but we made it and paused for welcome refuge by a hedge.
We next
descended by the side of the race track and took our coffee break on a bank
sheltered from the winds by a large tree. The contrast between the
temperature in exposed and sheltered areas was remarkable. Suitably refreshed,
we continued our descent, now with the wind behind us, almost being carried
along and again trying to stay vertical! We emerged via Houndean Rise onto
the Brighton Road, which we crossed at Hope-in-the-Valley, from where we had
another ascent up to Juggs Road, and down again to Southover.
We went behind Southover to Cockshut
Lane. At this point, the wind had dropped but the heavens opened briefly, and
we decided to omit the last mile or so of the planned walk and returned via
the Priory and the station. The walk was led by Alan.
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The Sloop to Danehill – Wednesday 6 March
2019
The promised
rain failed to materialise so when ten of us, led by Graham with Hilda back
marking, set off from The Sloop Inn we did so with hope in our hearts that we
would enjoy a good walk and so it turned out to be. This part of the Weald shares most of the
characteristics of the rest of the Weald, lovely undulating countryside and
the promise of some mud after the rain of the last few days. We certainly enjoyed the countryside and
coped with the relatively modest amount of mud.
Heading north
we soon crossed the Bluebell Railway, continued northwards to Heaven Farm,
after a brief detour around Kidborough Farm (the
leader got a bit lost) and so to the outskirts of Danehill where we turned
south and followed the Greenwich Meridian Trail back to the starting point
where some of us consumed The Sloop Inn’s excellent ham, egg and chips, with
the eggs having been laid that very day by the pub’s own chickens.
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Alfriston / Litlington – Sunday 24 Feb
2019
Under a cloudless sky and brilliant unseasonably warm
sunshine, nineteen of us set off from Alfriston to tackle the climb up Windover Hill. After several dry days prior to the walk
the footpath had dried and firmed up considerably so we reached the summit in
record time and thankfully mud-free. This allowed us time to cool down after
the rigours of the climb and take a refreshment stop sitting on top of a
conveniently placed long barrow (burial mound) that offered us panoramic
views.
The return route took us down hill past Lullington Heath Nature Reserve then on into Litlington,
emerging into the village through what is now Long Man Brewery (regretfully
their shop and tasting room is closed on Sundays). The walk then finished
with a very pleasant amble along the Cuckmere river bank back into Alfriston.
The walk was led by Wendy.
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Downs North of Brighton – Sunday 10
February 2019
The scheduled walk
round Buxted turned out to be far too muddy for the delicate soles of the
walking group so we took ourselves to the Downs north of Brighton for a
fairly brief and breezy walk taking in the Chattri
on the way. Setting off from the carpark just off the A27 twelve of us, led by Hilda and
Graham, followed the bridleway that rises very gently to the Chattri where we stopped for the always welcome coffee
break. Carrying on we encountered
slight muddiness before turning right down a chalky track leading to Lower Standean, a tiny enclave nestling right in the middle of
The Downs. From there we followed the
road that passes Alpha and Beta Cottages and the rifle range back to our
starting point. Bracing but not
raining sums up the morning’s activities. The walk was led by Hilda and
Graham.
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Lancing Hill – Sunday 27 January 2019
The morning was
overcast and blustery when nine walkers left the Lancing Ring Nature Reserve car
park for a four and a quarter mile walk, led by Anita. It started with a long steady, uphill climb
on a very well-walked and muddy path.
This made the walking more difficult than some may have hoped
for. By the time we reached the
summit, the sky brightened, giving us distant views towards the Rampion Wind Farm.
Turning right
towards Coombe Head the path improved. What a joy to be able to walk on the green
and grassy Downs! Continuing to battle
with the blustery wind, we arrived at Coombehead Wood. This provided welcome shelter from the wind
and proved an ideal spot for our morning break. We basked in glorious
sunshine, admiring the spectacular Lancing College and wondering what the
future holds for the Shoreham Cement Works.
Suitably
refreshed, we headed down to Cow Bottom, passing Cowbottom
Hovel - originally an open shelter for cattle. Then we took the steeply sloping, and relatively short uphill climb to the top for
the final stretch, up Lancing Hill and back to the car park.
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Glynde to Lewes – Sunday 13 January 2019
Twenty members gathered at Lewes Rail station to catch the 9.21 train
to Glynde. After a short walk along the road, we climbed the first stile onto
the main field path leading to Mount Caburn.
The ascent was a long slope but not steep. We climbed a stile into a
field of turnips where sheep were grazing and alas saw a dead fox! The view
got better and better towards the top. Fifteen walkers managed to climb to
the summit and see the almost 360 degree view of Lewes and surrounding areas.
Five members preferred to walk around the lower edge and not risk the short
but steep climb to the top of the hill.
We descended via Oxteddle Bottom and through
Bible Bottom. As the weather had been
dry, it was not too muddy and we passed many young calves. Then we enjoyed a
gentle walk up towards Lewes golf course. We descended the rather steep
Chapel Hill with many walkers finishing the walk in a cafe. The weather was
dry throughout and was led by Amanda.
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Boxing Day Stroll round Lewes – Wednesday
26 December 2018
We enjoyed a 3 mile walk around the Southover
area of Lewes on Boxing Day. 18 of us
started from Lewes High Street where a large group of people had already
gathered to see The Hunt. We then
walked past Lewes Station, completely closed, to the dismay of a traveller
hauling a heavy case, and were soon walking through the Convent Field and
then into the Priory Ruins. Great
interest was shown in the Remains of the Priory and the interpretation
displays, especially by some who had never walked there before.
From the Cockshut Road we went into Cluny
Street, in the estate built in the grounds of the old Manor School, and
called in to see our President, John Vokins, who
wished us all a Happy New Year. We
soon emerged onto the Kingston road, crossing over to Juggs Lane. Just before Jubilee Park we took the path
named locally as Love Lane and walked high above the Winterbourne estate before crossing the Winterbourne Stream,
now beginning to flow, round the allotments and out to Hope-in –the- Valley
where we stopped for coffee and mince pies.
We took another path, a bit muddy, which led us back to the
Winterbourne estate and then walked through the St. Pancras recreation ground
out to Southover High Street and then through
Grange Gardens. We finished walking up
the steep St. Martin’s Lane where we were all invited for drinks and snacks
in Janet’s delightful cottage. Jeannette
led the walk.
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Winter Solstice Sunrise Stroll – Friday
21 December 2018
The plan was to watch the sunrise on the shortest day of the
year. This involved catching the bus
to Ringmer at ten to seven in the morning outside Waitrose. One other walker joined Hilda and Graham,
whose mad idea this was, and a fourth was waiting at Ringmer. We set off in the lightening gloom to climb
the hill to the wind turbine, all the time battling against the gale force
winds that had been so accurately predicted in the shipping forecast.
The turbine was stationary which we put down to the fact that turbines
are “switched off” in high winds (which may or may not be true) but in this
case it was stopped because it was broken, information that we learned from
the workman who was getting stuff out of his van at the base of the
turbine. His colleague had just begun
the climb to the top up the decidedly basic looking ladder inside the
tower. We left them to it and carried
on up the track towards Saxon Cross, stopping briefly to look at the slightly
brighter looking bit of cloud to the east where the sun, unseen, had just
risen. On the top we had to lean hard
into the wind, sometimes being almost stopped in our tracks, as we crossed
the golf course. Having descended
Chapel Hill we enjoyed a well-earned breakfast at the Trading Post Coffee
Roaster. Not too long after that the
sun came out but it was too late then.
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Wind
Blown Walkers with Shooting Raindrops
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“I
guess that the sun must be there somewhere”
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See
what is behind the door -
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a
ladder going all the way up.
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Brighton Cemetery and Racecourse –
Wednesday 12 December 2018
This walk led by Janet and Gill, started off at the Woodvale Cemetery.
We wound our way gradually uphill pausing to read the names on
tombstones ranging from a cavalryman for General Custer to the impressive
mausoleum built to resemble a train turntable in memory of the chief engineer
of London Brighton and South Coast Railways.
It was a surprisingly green area with some spooky overgrown wooded
sections.
We took our coffee break in bright sunshine on two benches in the
remembrance garden. Leaving the
cemetery we headed down Tenantry Down Road and then
through the tunnel under Brighton racecourse and followed the grassy track to
the grandstand and the ancient site of Neolithic Whitehawk
Camp from where we had fine views of the sea.
We continued along this track gradually descending into Eastern Road
by Brighton College. Some of us took
the bus back to Lewes while others enjoyed a snack while watching the skaters
at the Royal Pavilion.
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Falmer to Lewes – Sunday 2 December 2018
There were no trains running to or from Lewes and the much loved rail
replacement bus service times were all over the place so instead of walking
over the Downs between Bishopstone and Southease we
walked over the Downs between Falmer and Lewes.
At the beginning the low clouds so obscured the view that we could
have been walking anywhere on the Downs, however the advantage of this route
was that the wind was behind us and the occasional spots of rain were much
less unpleasant as a consequence. The
wind was warm and as the clouds lifted the views improved. At the racecourse the group of fourteen
began to go their separate ways at the end of a most pleasant walk filled
with much conversation, including much gently heated debate about Brexit where the participants managed to strongly
disagree without falling out. Graham and Hilda were the leaders.
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Upper Dicker Stroll – Tuesday 27th
November 2018
On a damp and murky, although relatively mild, November morning 12
walkers left from the village pub of Upper Dicker and were soon strolling
alongside St Bede’s Golf Course. Poor
visibility made it difficult to see anyone playing. A recently mended stile
was much easier to climb over. We walked alongside the River Cuckmere, before
crossing it to make our return journey.
The fog lifted a little to give us a glimpse of the surrounding
countryside. After stopping for coffee
at two very conveniently placed benches, we continued on our way. Again, we strolled alongside the River
Cuckmere, heading towards Michelham Priory.
Shortly after passing Michelham Priory, the
group crossed the St Bede’s playing fields, passing the village store and café
at Upper Dicker to return to the village pub.
Here the temptation of a cosy countryside fire was too much. Half the group staying for lunch, coffee or
something stronger.
It was particularly encouraging to welcome long standing members of
the walking group who felt the short, three and half miles was as much as
they now wanted to walk and also good to welcome new walkers to the
group. Anita led the stroll.
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Newly mended. How lovely
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Danehill – Sunday 18 November 2018
The autumn colours are past their best but the golden leaves on the
paths that we walked along round Danehill were often still quite fresh and
crisp in spite of the recent rain. Walking through a thick layer of rustling
leaves is a particular pleasure at this time of the year. Coupled with the
bright sunshine and the good company of fellow walkers, there were all the
ingredients for a perfect ramble round the High Weald. From Danehill we followed the Greenwich
Meridian Trail and soon entered the well-kept grounds of Birch Grove Estate,
once the home of Harold Macmillan of “never had it so good” and “winds of
change” fame. The track through the
woods led us eventually to Birchgrove Road and
after a short walk along that we plunged into more woods where the track ran
along the side of a valley with many, presumably, old hammer ponds in the
valley floor below. The route back to
Danehill was through more woodland and across the fairways of a golf course
with no players, somewhat unusual on a lovely Sunday morning. We came to the conclusion that the course
has to be “private” and this was confirmed by subsequent research by our
chairman. Twelve
of us were led by Hilda and Graham
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North Chailey – Tuesday 30 October 2018
On a fine, windy day, 15 of us parked off the A275
crossroads with the A272 in North Chailey close to “the
Forget-me-not” cafe. We made our way through Chailey Common which was
declared a local Nature Reserve in 1966. It has also been designated a Site
of Special Scientific Interest because it is the last surviving fragment of
lowland heath in the Low Weald.
We explored the common and some of the heavily wooded surrounding
countryside, passing a few farms and fields of sheep and some marshy areas.
There were some spectacular views of the surrounding countryside with not a
house in sight. At one stage, we caught up with another walking group from
Brighton who seemed to be going a different way.
We found a sheltered area in the woods for our coffee break and then
continued walking through fields and woods. We passed a prominent building
which had once belonged to Chailey Heritage. Close by is a smock mill dating
from about 1830 which is supposed to stand at the
centre of Sussex. It may be visited on the last Sunday of each month from
April to September between 3pm and 5pm.
After completing our 4 and a half mile walk, we arrived back at the
attractive cafe, where most of us stopped for a coffee or light lunch
before returning home. The walk was led by Margaret and Jeannette.
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