Cowbeech Blossom & Bluebells

This was a last minute get together primarily to see that all walking ability was stretched and tested in readiness for the May Day Challenge next Tuesday. A walk which we have completed on numerous occasions, however not at this time of year, in the knowledge that the orchard blossom would be starting to show, not to mention the expected fauna to start carpeting the woodland areas. The rain clouds looked threatening although promised by the weathermen to only be the slight threat of scattered showers.
We walked the usual lane route for the first mile, being interrupted by numerous vans, lorries and cars. We eventually reached the orchard and began to climb to the top of the field to be confronted with a 'path closed' sign. It was due to the Electricity Board repairing overhead cables, and therefore the map was redirecting us back down the hill and circumnavigating the orchard along a very muddy track.

Oh yes, the drought conditions and hosepipe ban did not have much support as we picked our steps along the next track. Not only this, there had been a recently fallen tree block the track. The high wind had contributed to its downfall and continued to blow fearlessly.

We continued the tracks and found a gate into Scripp Wood. A private area given only to horses by appointment.

We noted the clever way the orchard boundary allowed certain wildlife in (rabbit flap) and others out (blue string to deter deer).

We crossed the road and headed into Great Gensing Wood, which had b a good show of bluebells, then dropping onto the driveway of the neighbouring farm which overlooked Butlers Wood, which some trees had been cut, allowing us to view a large area of developed bluebells.

We crossed the final field which had been recently ploughed with little evidence of the footpath. The mud stuck to our boots as the going suddenly became 'heavy'. We were out into Hammer Lane where we shed a great amount of the mud we had collected on our boots. At least the rain didn't fall and in fact the sun was in evidence on numerous occasions.
Back into the car park of the Merrie Harriers in just under 2 hours had revived our spirit in readiness for next weeks challenge.

The MAY DAY Challenge

The challenge route is set for next Tuesday 1st May. We will be starting off from Long Man car park at 6.45am. If you want to witness the Long Man Morris Dancing, you'll need to be there for 5.30am.
Our destination is Lewes for a pint in The Landsdown Arms as close to opening time (whenever that is?)...  catching a return train back to Polegate Station (£5.40) and return to pick up cars at Long Man.
*An alternative to alight at Berwick and walk back to Long Man via Berwick may be considered.

The weather forecast is for a wet start but clearing mid morning which is an improvement on recent days. 
Suggest bringing a packed brunch/flask for a mid morning break.

The route will take us through Alfriston then up onto Firle Beacon following the South Down Way route down to Southease and along the river into Lewes. A distance of 13.5 miles....  

Where & When this Week? POSTPONED

UPDATE.... the idea of yomping across muddy fields and the threat of thunder storms have caused us to reconsider this plan... watch this space for updates next week.

The water butts are in desperate need of replenishing whist there's drought conditions across the country, so we shouldn't complain about the rainfall currently. However, with one eye on the weather forecast we plan to meet up at the Merrie Harriers, Cowbeech at 10.00am this Thursday19th April. Waterproofs might be required.

Bluebells & Caravans

Its Sunday... time for a variation walk from the car park in Chiddingly. A good central point to start many walks in different directions. A quiet Sunday morning stroll it turned into quickly, and despite the warm, blue looking skies, the wind had a bitter nip in its tail. Out of the wind down small country lanes and traversing new field tracks we arrived at the Stream Bridge and paid polite homage, dipping a hiking stick into the pond. The full depth never discovered.

A westerly direction and once again walking across barely trodden paths in fields where stiles were fashionable yet poorly designed.

Eventually reaching another lane, we were over half way through our walk. The Vanguard Way beckoned us into a narrow yet well preserved pathway, where the woodland area floor was carpeted with newly blossoming bluebells and anemones.

Our final stretch across open fields gave us a glimpse of the local Caravan Club site at Broomfield Farm. 

Around 15 minutes later and we had retraced our final footpath back into Chiddingly and the chance to savour a brief beverage at the Six Bells Public House, after a 5.2 miles walk.

Sunday 15th April

Calling anyone who might just need to do a little stroll around the fields surrounding Chiddingly.
Meeting at Chiddingly car park at 10.00 - a little over 5 miles and maybe back around opening time at the Six Bells... who knows what might happen.

Some 1066 tracks to find

It was a last minute plan to get out, after Easter Bank Holiday Monday was a wash-out. Options and availability of some of the usual gang meant that we were down to 2 of us checking out a walk that would start in the car park in the centre of Battle and head out across fields, under the Battle to London railway line.
Guided by a dog walker, we headed toward the Great Wood car park off Marley Lane. The traffic came as somewhat of a shock after the quiet field walking for the first half hour. Onwards we trod across an almost inaccessible footbridge.
It led us into a series of rear gardens. Not small gardens I must add. At least 3-400 yds from the house. the first garden had converted his lawn into a vineyard. More stiles and more gardens. The instructions said 8 stiles, but think we lost count. The stream alongside us was running fast from the previous nights downpour. A few more footbridges and we crossed over into a large field and saw a lone fox crossing a few hundred yards from us, unperturbed, it continued its trek across the field.

We crossed a main road and directly opposite was another stile with a large dog barking and looking like he wanted an early lunch. Thankfully he was on the opposite bank of the river and the owner went to congratulate its vigilance in bringing us to her attention. We smiled as we passed by on the opposite side hoping that there was no access for him to reach us.
Just on the hour, and we had arrived at our destination, Seddlescombe. A quiet village most people see fit to drive through. The British Queen was the main pub in the centre playing host to a group of geese that were wandering across the centre green.
We took refreshments at the shelter on the green which housed a pump.

Rested after 10 minutes or so, we re-traced our steps for the first 500 yards, then took a different route across the fields towards the Great Wood. There were signs for the Seddlescombe 10066 walk.

We became a little confused however, when after passing through a small wooden gate, we saw a milestone for Rochester. I think it might have been rescued from a different place as there was a lonely '1 mile' engraved upon it.

The woods were beckoning and soon we were tracking through muddy paths which eventually opened up into wide grass rides. A place mainly occupied by dog walkers and horses.

The finishing post was in sight, but not before walking up the long hill road toward the level crossing. It remained open for us as we reached it, although a rest might have been a preferred option.

The main High Street in Battle was full of visitors and local shoppers. We were back in the car park just before 1pm and completed the 6 miles hike without major incident (which was the plan!).

MAY DAY Challenge - Calling all Boots

Last year on May 1st, a few founder members of this exclusive group of retirees assembled at the foot of Long Man, Wilmington at Dawn, (5.15ish) to witness the Long Man Morris Dancers do their annual dance in the lane, as the sun rose.
As they continued to dance, at 6.00am, we set off for what was later marked as a 'May Day Challenge', in the knowledge that the Morris Men would be dancing again at the Laughing Fish at Isfield at midday. Whilst the Morris Dancers were off to have breakfast and dance at a couple other venues, we set about a walk in order to meet up again in Isfield at watch them dance again.

After just over 16 miles we arrived on the stroke of midday and enjoyed a well earned pint and waited for the Dancers to arrive. Yes, we beat them to the pub!

It is by this principle we considered the idea of repeating another 'May Day' Challenge this year, which would both acknowledge and mark the intentions for the forthcoming summer season of walks for the group, as well as test out the level of physical fitness for those wishing to continue walking with us.

So, with this background I hereby give notice for any of the summer wine hikers (we think we know who you are) to express their availability for participating in this years May Day Challenge.
The 1st of May falls on a Tuesday. Chances are the walk could be either linear of circular as well as starting in the early hours of the morning, e.g. dawn or thereabouts, and in the vicinity of the Long Man, Wilmington. Its likely to be in the region of 14 - 17 miles in distance and will expect to be out most of the day, with a picnic lunch also.

A feast awaiting

They say an army marches on its stomach, and this outing attracted the regular troop of walkers with an added Easter bonus. The added bonus of parking the motorhome up at Birling Gap meant that not only would we have an opportunity to have a cuppa, the fridge was stocked with some added brunch food. A morning which, after the previous weeks outing in shirts and shorts, had us wrapped up in coats and gloves battling against a strong wind as we walked across the peaks and valleys towards Beachy Head. There were a small group filming a lady in period costume, standing near the edge. They didn't seem interested in employing us as extras, so we kept on walking. The first hour and we passed the empty car park at Beachy Head. The ice cream van was looking lonely. White Horses were charging across the channel making the idea of a ferry crossing less attractive.

A little further and we reached the golf course. We expected it to be sparsely populated because of the windy conditions, but no. There were groups on many of the fairways. Once again (and sorry if I'm repeating myself) the strained pleasantries were exchanged as we ducked a nearby shot. We also encountered several other groups (a dozen or more) of hikers, examining their maps and hiking poles being shakily gripped. Again, glances of acknowledgement were exchanged as they broke off their conversations with their company.

But our mission had been set. Getting back to motorhome HQ by midday, in order to put the gas on and do some cooking. East Dean was operating as usual, and the sheep Centre was attracting a crowd of Easter children.
The resulting meal was the only incentive as we realised the wind had created a blistering pace to our walking. Back at Birling Gap, and our Easter Brunch had been consumed. 2hrs 40mins and just over 8 miles completed. Gloves off, we were feeling warmer and replete.

A Pre-Easter Ramble Plan

Heads up for some serious trudging this Thursday 5th April with a plan to meet up at 9.15 in main car park at Birling Gap. Will be getting back on some old tracks on a circular walk (clockwise or anti-clockwise?) to Beachy Head via Belle Tout and across towards Butts Brow, then down to East Dean. Around 12 miles this one....  ready for indulging chocolate over the Easter weekend.