The Battle of Mud Walk

Our numbers were to have swollen to 4 today, having recruited a new member to our group, however one of our regular walkers was unable to join us having been struck down with 'man flu'
Our original plan for Robertsbridge was therefore postponed and the 3 of us drove to Battle to set the coordinates towards Seddlescombe village. Once there we parked and invested our savings with the local council obliging to 'Pay & Display' as the sign suggested.
The slate grey skies looked heavy with rain as we commenced our ritual of doning waterproof trousers and raincoats in the car park. The nearby twitten beckoned our adventure to start and were soon heading down the first lane, preparing to encounter a few rain soaked paths. Little did we know just how the state of the footpaths would turn out.

The walk passed under the main Hastings to London railway line and absorbed the damp air within it. The aromatic senses were swiftly tested as we passed alongside the sewage works then toward a field containing unharvested sweetcorn with a double rainbow arching its colours across the darkened skyline.

Crossing Marley Lane, the walk then went across the bottom of numerous gardens. Rain showers were becoming regular but not so bad as to deter our attention from the evidence of wildlife alongside an adjacent stream. Horses were ready to greet us on the final field thinking we may be able to liberate them at the gate. In the distance, a heron was taking flight and as we caught sight of the traffic on the A21, sheep were running around in an attempt to avoid our closer attention.

They succeeded and the final stile was climbed over before the final muddy path into Seddlescombe.
We sat at the shelter in the central green. Locals were going about their business. The bins were efficiently emptied by our side. (not certain why it took 2 council workers to undertake such a task).
Rested after 15 minutes, we re-traced our steps back towards the lane we entered the village, but then turned left and crossed the A21 about half a mile south from where we'd crossed it before.

It was time to ready ourselves for the more muddy trek through the Great Wood after walking through a narrow wooded gully where more evidence of badgers could be seen. Our sticks held tightly and with map in hand we navigated our way along the formal trackways which, due to the recent heavy rainfall and even heavier machinery that had been maneuvering felled trees, challenged every step with mud splattering in numerous directions. Stamina was our only saving grace and we kept the pace going through sections of the wood which we later discovered had been closed for public access.

Back out onto Marley Lane and we explored the interesting variety of houses. The level crossing remained open as the climb up towards the centre of Battle came into sight. Like Pilgrims walking through the well dressed residents of Battle who nodded in respectful acknowledgement of what could have been a walk that had taken 3 days, not 3 hours. The walk was actually 6.2 miles by the way.
Arriving back in the car park, we disrobed and drove out of Battle to stop off for a liquid lunch at the Bull in Boreham Street.

November Market Walk

There are occasional days at this time of year when the forecast can be trusted and the instinct of a good day is guaranteed, you just have to put everything to one side and decide a walk is the only medicine.
Hardly a whisper of breeze and the climate temperature could not have been improved upon.
A familiar gathering in the car park at Butts Brow, after ascending the leafy and at times slippery lane, the usual suspects were acknowledging the direction to head. The Market at East Dean was a regular Wednesday morning gathering, where local traders put their produce, crafts and bric a brac on display.

The blue sky was hardly interrupted as we headed towards the first gate and sheep looked on as farmers were inspecting the livestock in a different manner to how we were admiring their stance. The trees across in Friston Forest were adjusting their camouflage to an amber dark brown with an expectant yellowing and eventual falling of leaves with the next few weeks.
Our descent into East Dean through houses that soaked up views across to Bell Toute and beyond.
A flurry of traffic, which seemed like East Dean's late 'rush hour', gave cause for us to take avoiding action until we reached the main road and crossed over and into the lane opposite.

The Market was now in sight and the cars were maneuvering for spaces. Such was the demand for spaces, 2 car park attendants were regularly directing cars into the best spot to find a place to park.
Although tempted by numerous items of craft and produce, it was only a £3 bag of kindling that attracted the attention of us, however realised it was a little too bulky to place in the rucksack and return to the car with.
After a short period of negotiation, it was agreed that the trader would keep the sack of kindling back in order to collect later. It was 10:50 and the trader would be packing up at 12.30 and we therefore had little over an hour to return to Butts Brow, collect car and drive back to collect the bag of kindling.
The second half return walk was unintentionally spurred by these facts in the hope that £3, (which had been handed over) was not wasted. It didn't distract from further views and other observations that gave cause for conversation. The fields were active with more sheep and barns being prepared for their gathering.

We then passed through the golf course where numerous golfers were hardly challenged by the weather conditions. They appeared focused in their attempts to work on their swings and putting techniques as we walked along the concrete path to the top of the course.
We turned left and were on the home straight for the car park. It was dog walkers again that filled the paths in this final section. All shapes and sizes were enjoying the day.
We'd almost walked 7 miles and the clock was moving toward 12 noon as we kept a relentless pace on the final stage toward the car park. Would the kindling still be there?

epilogue
Well, it was a happy ending for the return to East Dean. The trader was just packing up, and the kindling was collected. Its likely to be a cold night again tonight, so there's a good chance there'll not be as much left by morning.