Cowbeech Harvest Time Walk

Its a walk we admit having done before and could refer you to a previous account of this walk, in April 2012. However, like many repeated walks, the journey takes on different scenes, smells and conversations least alone the challenges that were to confront us.
The usual clockwise direction having parked in the Merrie Harriers pub took us along what you'd expect to be quiet narrow country lanes... but no. On repeated occasions we were stepping aside to make way for all manner of vehicle. We were about to start the off road track when we encountered a map and indications that the usual route being closed. We concluded that it was closed to more ambitious vehicles and maverick horsemen and that our wandersome approach through the commercial orchard would not create too much damage.
We entered the orchard area as 4 men were exiting. We nodded graciously as they consulted their map and headed in the opposite direction from where we had come from.
The next 10-15 minutes we indulged ourselves in close inspection and tasting of the fruit which had fallen from heavily laden pear trees.

We then moved on to inspect the apples which were even more abundantly loaded. The reports of a good crops of fruit were confirmed by these specimens. Empty boxes were awaiting the workers to start loading the 'fruits of their labour' (literally)...

The nearby allotments were providing as much evidence of a good crop of pumpkins ready for recipes and carving, not to mention the chicken and ducks that also occupied the allotment.
We strolled out of the orchard without hinderance, thinking that our rucksacks may have been scanned for scrumping booty.

The sky was blue with scattered clouds by this time and we spotted planes crossing vapour trails in the sky. The far horizon of Old Heathfield Church caught the sunlight. It was all looking autumnal when through the next gate we then saw the more distressing sight of a dead sheep that had been attacked and partially eaten side.

We crossed the road and entered the second phase of the walk through harvested sweetcorn fields. We then spied the 4 men we had earlier seen at the far end of the field and we were converging on the same point. They were taking a seriously meaningful regimental stride and seemed like a race, as we took a more relaxed amble approach to the same point. They beat us by a few seconds, and the last straggler of the group nodded in acknowledgement. The other 3 kept a purposeful pace into the wood.

Meanwhile we took more interest in the fauna and fungi that carpeted the woodland floor, whilst the sound of a chainsaw became louder as we go to the far end of the wooded area.

The 4 walking men were almost out of sight by the time we walked across the next field, then saw them continuing along the lane as we turned back toward Blackford Farm.
The sound of pheasants echoed around the woods from all directions. Admittedly, we startled a few as we descended down the concrete drive from the farm. They ran with crazy excitement, often in circles and no sense of what might happen next. Fortunate for them, we were unarmed and had no reason to take home a brace for the table.

The warmth of the sun had come as a complete surprise and although Autumn was forecasting colder air by the end of the week, we were soaking up the remnants of what little summer climate was remaining. Our 2 hour walk concluded in observing the Cowbeech phone-box which now provided an alternative communication point by offering a small village library of books, a plant and magazines and the walking route that we had just completed.
Boots off and the walk completed.