Leap Year walk - 29 Feb 2012

Next walk planned for 29th Feb. Woods Corner Walk. heading off from Swann Inn car park around 9.30ish.

26th Feb 2012 - another chiddingly circuit

The sun was out yet some of us who met in the Gun Inn pub car park as planned didn't have full confidence as others who set off through Strood Farm without coats. We were joined by a newcomer to the group who lives locally but who I had met whilst camping abroad last year.

Five of us were walking in a counter-clockwise direction and heading through a couple of farms before re-discovering the Old Bridge at Stream Mill, (a Grade II listed bridge) next to the hammer pond. It was in a slightly different, less frozen condition this time.

The warmth of the sun caused me to abandon my coat as we continued our way to Chiddingly, observing the abundance of verges full of snowdrops, talking with friendly horses and picking our way through muddy tracks.

We stood outside the church and listened to the congregation singing and then spotted a buzzard circling above a nearby wood.

Struggling to maintain altitude as it flew trying to spot its next meal.
We were making good time, with an expected arrival time back at the pub just before midday. It was time to take a pint of local brew and reflect on a very enjoyable Sunday morning walk.

Next Walk Plans - Sunday 26th Feb

9.30 gun inn car park

examination of Seven Sisters

Having been a frequent traveler to the Czech Republic, some very good friends from Prague were visiting my family but knew a few of the regular hikers here. It was a bit tricky trying to coordinate the arrangements to meet up, however we did manage to walk down to the beach at Seven Sisters country park and examine the seven sisters from west looking east. On the Sunday (19th) Feb a couple of UK friends met up and walked the crowlink circuit and took in the views in the opposite direction.

The weather was particularly kind to us as the children we were with led the group around the rock pools to discover a variety of sea creatures.

Eastbourne Prom - a good second best

Sadly the plan to get out on the Downs on Monday were put off. There was still snow sticking to the tracks where we were planning to go, and avoided the risk of slipping over to test the air sea rescue service.
Instead, we went out yesterday (14th) the perfect traction was found as we trekked along the promenade at Eastbounre. From Holywell to the waterworks, we measured out a steady pace for the 3.5miles, then turned and headed back to the car. We even had time to visit the fresh fish market near Princess Park. Crabs and lobsters sat live in bowls of water.
The entire trip took us 2hrs 15m which was a refreshing pace whilst dodging the cyclists, skateboards and scooters, not to mention the dog walkers.

Next hike date - 13th February

There's a provisional plan to gather for a hike on Monday 13th Feb. meeting place to be confirmed with final plans once we have a clearer picture on what the weather is going to do.
Snow and cold freezing weather seems to be dominating the next week or so and make not enable any plans to get up on the South Downs.

Winter on sale in Hellingly

Now this might not count as a hike as such, and not that there was a pose of merry hikers in tow. I just thought for the wider audience and for the record I should put a few photos of what the local village was looking like after a fall of snow on Saturday night.

Its all starting to melt away now, although temperatures are staying just below zero through the night.

Chiddingly Circuit

In fact, when the title says Chiddingly circuit, there are many circuits that circumnavigate the village of Chiddingly. A village that revolves around the success of the local pub, 'the six bells' offers much music, good ale and very reasonably priced food. Plus the annual Chiddingly Arts Festival which attracts many to the hub of the Village.
But this was almost 10am as the 3 founder members of the Summer Wine Hikers were heading from the car park on a blue sky, frosty 3 degrees below zero.... bbrrrrrr.

Gloves and hats weather plus woolly socks. Over styles and through gates, along the Vanguard Way, we first spot a pond with what appeared to be frozen ducks on the bank. On closer inspection we noted that they were probably a couple of decoy ducks, placed there ready for the next seasonal shoot by local poachers??

We gathered momentum across fields then country lanes giving a couple of race horses a startle as they came toward us. Not sure we'll be backing them? After all, we weren't what anybody might have been expecting on a Friday morning exercise outing.
We were following instructions from a downloaded sheet and it was testing our navigational skills as we entered through a Farm. The instructions didn't give us great confidence as did the signposting. We back-tracked and asked a resident of one of the converted Oast Houses, who came to the gate and gave reassuring instructions on where to find the footpath and onwards to see the, much talked about, Weir. The Old Bridge over which we crossed to observe the Wier is a Grade II listed building and had a wooden footbridge built over it, after it been damaged and slipped into disrepair. Along the track is Stream Mill Cottage, where a water driven foundry hammer operated. More can be found with this link to Wealden Iron Industry

Stopping shortly afterwards to get the flask out of our bags. John even pulled a couple slices of toast from a foil wrap. (It was confirmed later that is was cold toast, apparently a much sought after delicacy 'up north').

Anyway... we were soon to join the road to find our next land mark, Bull River Farm. However, we decided that due to our delayed progress towards The Gunn, we would stay on the road until we came to Scrapers Hill and turn onto the 'Wealdway'. After encountering some friendly Shetland Ponies, we arrived back at the Car Park.

A 2 hour circuit and approx 3.8 miles. (given that we stopped and took many photos, asked for guidance and took in sustenance, it was a pleasant pace)

Summer Wine Hikers - LAUNCHED

Welcome to the official launch of the 'Summer Wine Hikers'

This affectionately named group have been working hard to establish themselves in society.

Just like the good folk of the epic comedy series 'Last of the Summer Wine', after which we have named our group, we have found ourselves enjoying the more basic pleasures in life as our retirement status has taken over our lives.For anyone who has never come across the series, try this link to an episode "Cash Flow Problems".

The similarities with characters in the comedy series are all but insignificant, however you may think at times that we are capable of slipping into the memorable personalities such as 'Foggy' Dewhurst, Compo and Norman Clegg.

Neither are we a group of seasonal walkers who only have strong desires to walk in the summer months or for that matter considering the ourselves to become wine connoisseurs. In fact the art of sampling real ale is much more our style of occupation or even a drop of home brew.

There's a growing number of expected applicants to join our group as we hear of more friends who are retiring from the hum-drum routine we used to call work. With good spirited banter, we hope to entertain readers of this blog to our common interest, once we have donned our pairs of trusty boots. Tips on good walking routes, equipment and other health related facts may be an added bonus as we reflect on our daily trips.

During the forthcoming posts we will report on the changing landscapes as we walk through the seasons and note our observations. An account of miles traveled on each hike, the terrain and time taken, the weather conditions and anything else that will be of interest.

It will also be an opportunity for regular members of the group to check up to see when the next hike is planned for. So remember to 'bookmark' this page for future reference.

So please enjoy and offer any comments or suggestions. If you think you are eligible to join, then leave a message and we'll get back to you. There's no subscriptions (like the Ramblers), but new applicants will be put through a rigorous initiation procedure in order to fulfill the necessary level of integration. 

The next walk is tomorrow morning (3rd Feb). Meeting at Chiddingly Village Hall car park at 9.45am