December's Long Man circuit

December has come all too soon, and despite weather conditions worsening on the east coast with surge floods threatening the shore line, the forecast was good for this area, so 3 intrepid explorers convened in the car park at Long Man, Wilmington at 9.30 and started to stride toward Windover Hill to pay our respects to the Long Man who was looking crisp and whit against the grass slope.

Further up the hill, dogs overtook us as we took the views across towards Firle Beacon.

The sun came into view as we reached the summit of Windover Hill and kept a respectful distance from a flock of sheep who were looking in prime condition for motherhood. We then headed south with a view of Lullington Heath ahead of us.

We encountered few other walkers as we descended toward the northern edge of Friston Forest. A couple of galloping horses disturbed the silence for a short while as we reached the junction where several paths and bridleways converged.

We changed direction and set our steps westward toward Littlington, and after another another 20 minutes were walking outside the Plough & Harrow. We were aware that the aforementioned surge flood warnings may be affecting some of the Kent and Sussex coast, however we weren't that prepared for what we then encountered as we witnessed masses of drowned worms washed up from previous high tides that had burst the banks of the Cuckmere River. It was time to reconsider the options of how to return into Alfriston. We crossed the bridge and consulted three female hikers coming in the opposite direction, assuming they had managed to walk on the bank we were heading. They confirmed our assumptions, however then witnessed them struggling to keep their footing on the slippery bank. In fact one of them disappeared from sight as hoots of laughter were heard from the other two. We were pleased to have chosen the west bank, even though we had to weave our way through several sections for optimum foothold benefits.

We arrived in Alfriston and sat for a while outside the church on one of numerous commemorative benches.
The final leg back toward Milton Street and the ground was significantly improving. A field of sprouting turnips were regimentally carpeting the field we walked through and with Wilmington Priory coming into view our walk was coming to an end.

The Yew tree in the churchgrounds of Wilmington Church directed our safe passage back onto the road and into the car park again. It was around 1pm which around 8 miles completed.