Part 1 - DEVILS DYKE walk
Another of those long haul apologies as I realised after getting out on the walking lanes of the Weald (E Sussex), I had failed to report on a previous venture a month or so ago.
So this first report is from Friday 12th July when we explored a short part of the South Downs Way, whilst trying to discover the source of a Spring that surfaced some where near Fulking.
It was a Devils Dyke venture that started in a car park overlooking the northern part of the landscape north of Brighton.
We were following a route which took us down into the valley, named as Devils Dyke, and eventually surfacing after a short walk through a wooded area, out onto the road in Poynings. A short roadside walk and we disappeared into fields of sheep and then wheat.
A short walk around the corner, the pub, The Shepherd & Dog, and there was another spring, gushing with water..., however a quick examination behind showed that it was again an ornamental front piece into which a stream behind ran through. The source was obviously a distance higher up under the chalk downs.
Not to worry, our ascent back onto the top of the hill meant we were able to survey the vista across to the north for many miles. We were now walking on the South Downs Way back towards the car and eventually retracing our steps.
Part 2 - HADLOW DOWN - BUXTED walk
So this was a walk that occurred yesterday (22 Aug) and was almost postponed. The weather forecast had been OK up until 48 hrs earlier and there was threat of rain during the morning. A few phone calls just after 8 enabled us to reorganise our plans and postponed the starting time in Hadlow Down back to 11.30am
The clouds were prominent but with blue skies breaking through, we ventured on to the first footpaths being pursued by an inquisitive rescue dog and her owner.. a white bulldog/mastiff mix that gave us constant monitoring. We soon parted company as we headed across the second large fields that gave views of the North Weald area towards Crowborough and beyond. The sun was bursting through and first layers were removed as the heat was penetrating. A walk along a drive of a farm was followed by a more adventurous trek through wooded glades and gulleys with minimal sight of the bracken covered track. Eventually coming out into daylight, the clouds were mounting and a spot or two of rain was felt overhead. The rain, as we dropped down onto another lane, became a little heavier and we had put our rain coats on.
The rain worsened and as we entered the next wooded glade, after a couple of fields of disregarded broad beans, it seemed like we would need to take a break a shelter within the wood. A torrential 10 minute downpour followed and the shelter in the wooded area was not adequate as the rain filtered down through the trees. We headed to a tree in the middle of the field and stayed close to the trunk. 'lets hope there's not a lighting storm' I suggested...
Eventually the rain stopped, even though we only realised it after walking from under the tree.
The venture went a little off track after this.. not surprising as we kept our heads down and hoods up. We'd reached the railway line which was too far. We'd missed the footpath then lane to take us into Buxted. We consulted the map and decided to head south along the Vanguard Way, back to the main road then cross over to re-join the original path we were set to go.
A half hour or so later we were heading down narrow country lanes and picking up a footpath which once again had us walking through hidden wooded footpaths after seeing this sign next to Warren Farm and taking a short break to re-fuel.
We arrived back at the car having completed (after the detour) a little under 6 miles
