How Many Bridges to make a Footpath?

When we set off we didn't realise that we were to encounter a record number of bridges on a relatively short 5 mile walk. A substantial investment of wooden bridges across a variety of streams, rivers and general undulations were in evidence and hence the title of this posting.
The Jubilee bunting was in evidence throughout the village of Rushlake Green as we parked the car. The initial footpath was to take us through both the front and rear garden of a small cottage. A neatly kept area with a small vegetable plot and views down towards two small ponds between which we walked. Both ponds were surrounded by a colourful display of rhododendrons and Azaleas.

Like the bridges, we neither accounted for the amount of hills and vales that this walk would present. Nevertheless, it wasn't to distract from the slightly cooler than recent days enjoyment of heading across new territory. The fields of wheat in rich dark green expectancy of turning golden with the next 4 - 6 weeks.

The footpaths were well signposted and most paths well maintained and trodden as we headed towards Vines Cross. A field with a couple of frisky horses were our only entertainment, as we circumnavigated the perimeter of the field and jumped over a convenient positioned style.

We momentarily went onto the road from one farm, and entered another footpath which directed us into a massive field of well established broad bean plants. Interestingly, one of the residents of Vines Cross, whose garden backed onto this field had also planted a rather sad couple of rows of broad beans. No competition really... the farmer won hands down, and whats to stop the resident from jumping over the fence and picking a cooking for himself, whenever he pleases??

We didn't pass by the Brewers Arms in Vines Cross, but were soon heading into another field of broad beans and going towards Warbleton Church. Both inside and outside there were reminders of the events linked to the Sussex Martyrs. People from surrounding villages and towns were taken to Lewes and burned in barrels for not denouncing their Protestant faith. We had seen the tower several times on the walk around to Vines Cross. But now it was straight ahead of us, standing proud and resolute.
Our pace was steady throughout, but the hills were noticeably getting steeper. The gradient up to the Church had generated a need to take a look inside and inspect the curiosities that had accumulated over the centuries.

After coming back out into the daylight, we descended past the newly named Black Duck on Church Hill. They advertised the Soap Box Derby on a board outside for Bank Holiday Monday (4th June). We walked the route where many intrepid pilots would be steering their man made contraptions next Monday.

A half mile or so of walking on the lane, and we were on the final footpath back into Rushlake Green. A final gate through which we went had a notice declaring the gate had been erected in memory of the death of Ian Price who died whilst repairing power lines in the 1987 Hurricane.

A walk of just over 5 miles, and took (with stops) around 2.5 hours

A New route for this Thursday 31st May

We started the month with a longer than usual challenge, so now time to consider a new route to explore for the final day of the month. Aiming to meet in Rushlake Green (somewhere near the Horse & Groom) at around 10.15am.
Heading across the fields towards Vines Cross (Brewers Arms) then back through Warbleton (Black Duck).. I only mention the names of pubs we may be passing for research and orientation purposes.
Around a 5 mile amble and weather may be cooling off by then.

Bewl Water update

Just to put on the record, it seems that although the South East is suffering with a hosepipe ban due to the drought order, Bewl Water is filling up. Or at least it was earlier this month.
We walked round the area just a few days before this second photo was taken. The top photo was taken on 11th May and gives a clear indication that there's an increase on the level.
Must go there again and check out the levels after this hot spell.

Mad Dog (sorry Stanley) & 4 Englishmen Go Out in The Midday Sun!

Having just had the hottest day in May on record yesterday, it seemed only fair to see just what all the fuss was about. A small gathering of us hikers plus 1 dog, congregated at the foot of the South Downs, just West of Alfriston centre and although looking misty and a little grey at 9.30, we embarked on the steady first and steepest climb of the day. We took it in our stride with little discomfort and looked at the limited vista as we arrived at the first gate at the top of '2 tracks'.
It was the first taste of freedom for Stanley, who took little encouragement to explore the field which surprisingly had no sheep in it.

envious sheep wishing to fly

Our attention was attracted to some dozen or so ambitious paragliders seemingly assessing the state of the wind and thermals. There didn;t seem to be much breeze and many of them were dismounting from their hammocks and sitting around waiting for a change in conditions.
We watched for a while but there was little action to record.

We were aiming for the Trig Post on Firle Beacon, and then to descend to the lower 'coach road' back towards Alfriston.

The heat of the morning had burnt off some of the misty conditions but not enough to make the view further than the A27. Traffic sound was a distant drone overshadowed at one point by a chinook helicopter. A distinctive sound that momentarily broke the bird song around us.
We had stopped at the Trig Post and took on water and high energy snacks!...

The walk down to the more shady return leg of the walk was a welcome relief. We past a pair of hikers pacing their ascent as we were going down and exchanged views on the 'breeze' factor. They looked as weary as us.

The coach road had seemingly been the original A27 and a link between Alfriston and Firle and beyond. The condition of some of the route would be only passable by the most robust 4x4 or tractor. In fact we encountered a variety of farm vehicles and took refuge on the high bank as they past, on one occasion. Obliging nods were exchanged. Part of the country code I believe?

We were on the final leg and suddenly became distracted by one of the paragliders circling over our heads. He must have wrongly assessed any potential thermal activity on the hill above and slowly descended. He landed just over the hedge from the track where we were walking, into a field of rape.

couple of hillbillies guarding their woodpile 

No sounds of injury were heard, so we walked on, keeping a careful eye on the dog who by now had ran 10 times the distance we'd walked and trying to dive into any available water. Even if it was muddy. His favourite trick was to dive into the galvanised water troughs provided for other farm animals. He had already fully immersed himself in one on the top of the hill, but since then had been unsuccessful in having a refreshing swim.

A rendezvous had been planned back in Alfriston, so our pace was unrelenting, with a short shady path before the final descent into the high street and into the Smugglers. Orders taken we sat and quenched our thirst and reflected on the adventure. The temperature may have exceeded yesterday, but we now know the walk was 8.2 miles taking around 3 hours.

Thursday 24th walk

I think this global warming has finally got the idea that it should be getting warmer. A plan to meet up in Kings Ride, Alfriston and walk along toward Firle Beacon and take in the views is the plan.
Meet around 9.30

Walk on the Wild Side!

Although this wasn't an official Summerwine gathering its worthy of reporting the experience albeit for the fact that we were introducing a newcomer to the group with his wife and well behaved dog Stanley (I think I got that the right way round?).
The 4 of us gathered (eventually) near Chiddingly Church and watched as the sun broke through a grey overcast sky. The bells of the church gave us our time check.... 09.15 and we set off firstly along the Vanguard Way. The walk was to combine several other slightly smaller walks around the fields and lanes surrounding the village of Chiddingly and Gun Hill.

Stanley was scouting at a ferocious pace waiting impatiently at stiles and gates but obediently coming to heel when asked. The sunshine was short-lived and we encountered a few spots of rain in the first mile. Stopping to listen to blackbirds. (well, we identified it because we saw it singing).

The terrain was changing constantly, from long lush green grass to heavy muddy bog states, to open well identified tracks. Stanley, meanwhile was happy to clean himself off in the flowing brook, momentarily sharing the experience with us as he shook vigorously when back on dry land. The sun was more constant and our raincoats were packed away with confidence.

Onwards we trod, through meadows, looking into woods which were still carpeted with bluebells.

Just over 2 hours into the walk and we felt the call of the local pub after stopping off to view the Stream bridge. Up the track and onto the main road, down through another farm where a group of young children were being tested by a variety of challenges. No such challenges for us, as we passed by the Gun Inn (which wasn't open) and on the final leg across new growing crop, the lonely stile with the backdrop of Chiddingly church was once more in our sight.

Just over 7 miles and the church bell chimed again.. 12.15. (3 hours amble) What you having... pint of Harveys!

Sunday 20th May - a plan

Chances are the weather may not be blisteringly hot as is currently forecast for Saturday (I jest).
There are footpaths waiting to be re-trod in the Chiddingly vicinity which means that if there any likely lads (you know who you are!) wanting to join a motley crew at Chiddingly Car Park at 9.00am for a stroll around the fields and lanes (taking in both the Wealdway & Vanguard Way) to return for a swift ale at the six bells, then please confirm back by Saturday evening. 

mushroom brewery walk

Now I could reflect on this walk with much relish and give lots of details about the whole experience. But I think for the sake of preserving some of natures fine food which we foraged with great excitement, I think it best I don't give the exact coordinates of where we found the rings of field mushrooms.

Suffice to say we met up at Birling Gap and walked across the windy fields to Crowlink, back through the village of East Dean and popped into see the workforce of Beachy Head Brewery wiping sweat from his brow, whilst washing the next batch of casks ready for the a brew of 'legless rambler'.
Our condition was far better than the state of this aptly named brew, of which nothing was happening in empty vats.
The skies were mackerel clouded as we returned to our cars and compared our pickings of mushrooms. Probably in excess of 5lbs of mushrooms were picked in as many minutes. Now into the recipe books to find appropriate recipes.

weather watch for next walk

You'd think that by now, we would be able to plan some interesting walks without fear of having to have our waterproofs on stand-by. Don't get us wrong, there's times when a good walk with the rain beating down on your back can be highly therapeutic and invigorating. But when we are all pretty flexible about when we choose to walk, we would like to walk in slightly finer weather than how the weather forecast people seem to present the forthcoming week.

And whilst the provisional plan to make a move to walk this Friday 11th May is still a possibility, our intention of to wait until Thursday morning when we can get a more accurate of the potential rainfall that might swell the rivers once more.

May Day Challenge - Full Report!

Forgive us if this report reflects more than a hint of self congratulating, having set a longer than usual hike that, for once a year, had the opportunity to experience something a little different.
For one, getting up as the sun is not fully over the changing horizon with a forecast that didn't look very favourable, was a good start. There was a drizzle of rain in the air as we met up in the car park with the long man looking down on us. Secondly, by setting off at such an early hour, there was hardly nobody else to see, so the sounds were completely different. (I'll come back to sounds later).
We set off at 6.40am... yes am.
2 miles into the walk and we reached the centre of Alfriston. The wet fields had already exposed the vulnerability of our boots which were moistening our socks. All three of us were not expecting to have to walk with wet feet for the remainder of the journey. But there was little option.

Almost 3 miles and we ascended to the top of the chalk track. Looking back towards Wilmington, there was a hint of sun. The clouds thinning and the sheep came towards us, thinking we had breakfast for them.

There was one small lamb on the wrong side of the boundary fence which we made attempts to guide back through a gap under the fence. The lamb bleeted as we tried to attract its attention to the gap. No such luck. Little 'lamb chop' was not going to fall for our helpful attempts. I think our days as shepherds are numbered.
5 miles and we passed the concrete Firle Trig point in good stride. Looking down across both sides, the mist faded from time to time. There was hardly any breeze to get the clouds moving. The radio masts were looking a long way off as we walked down the next slope.

We reached the 6.2 mile marker, Firle Beacon Car Park. There was a new, well constructed bench waiting for us. Not even commemorated to anyone... perhaps we should put a claim in. It was 9am and felt like a late breakfast time with flasks and sandwiches unpacked from our backpacks.

Still little sign of sun breaking out, the livestock across the fields were munching on their breakfast as much as we were. We were rested and re-fueled so we headed onwards towards the radio masts, which had become much larger, perhaps because they were closer.

We encountered a couple laden with large rucksacks confirming our thoughts that they were on the final stage of the South Downs Way. We spoke a little later with another young chap who had stayed in a B&B last night, even though he also had his tent on his back. Ninja Turtles had nothing on these hikers.
He had walked from Winchester to here in 6 days! that put us in our place as far as challenges were concerned.
We reached the brink of the descent into Southease. This would test our legs out as new muscles were put into play. The official footpath took us slowly down the hill, even though there had been temptations within the ranks to go directly down. What rebels we could of been.

We surveyed the options from the vantage point to either walk into Lewes along the river or go through Southease and Rodmell. Doubt had been put into our head because of the recent rainfall which, we thought, may cause the riverside path to become impassable or at worst very wet.
9 miles and we reached the footbridge over the A26 (Lewes to Newhaven) road, then headed towards the railway station. There was a strange overturned grain hopper looking like a space shuttle that had crashed landed.

We had seen numerous trains going back and forth as we came down the hill and admired the frequency of service provided to the residents of Newhaven and Seaford. The trains didn't appear, however, to be stopping that frequently at Southease.
We got across the Railway line without incident, despite the many CCTV cameras dotted around both platforms.

We took stock of the footpath along the river from the bridge and decided to complete the walk alongside the river.

10 miles and we were into a good stride with only the motivation of knowing that there were no more hills on this route. I mentioned the sounds earlier, but nothing could have prepared us for the unique and privileged experience of listening to several toads communicating with each other. We were no experts on what species, even though a passing dog walker who said he'd never heard the sounds before thought it was probably natterjack toads... whether that was the case, I'm now not so convinced. But to stand and listen to the toad conversation was a highlight of the entire walk, and something to entice us back to record the sound for some official identification.

The tidal river was fast flowing out and reaching its lowest point as we reached the 12 mile point and seeing the Lewes By-Pass (A27) growing closer, even though for a while Lewes was obscured from sight.
The final mile and we were reporting different foot and muscular pain. If we stopped, we might never start our engines again. The Downs behind us were shrouded in mist and there was a threat of rain in the air. Many swans nesting across fields to our left as well as cattle who were making a muddy mess in their field, but thankfully our path remained relatively dry.
Lewes - over 13 miles now as we passed by the Football ground. The railway station was just around the corner. It was midday, but the walk to the nearest pub was a step too far. The train timetable distracted us to find the next train back into Polegate was at 12.09. Tickets were purchased and we surprisingly found seats on the train.

A quick drive back to the car park to pick up our cars, then a welcomed pint of Harveys was consumed at the Giants Rest. A different, testing, challenging walk... another challenge next May 1st!