Blackboys, Framfield & Bees

The forecast is remaining steady and although the sun was struggling to break through the mist of morning, there was expectations of another warm day brewing. Without too much hesitation the four of us parked up and equipped our back-packs and set off from a small parking bay in a residential area of Blackboys. The walk had been trodden by a couple of us on several previous occasions but we were soon in good pace down through a plot of almost neglected allotments.
The pace however was interrupted by the muddy track and 'kissing gates' which remained water-logged. We crossed over quiet lanes that saw the occasional tractor and delivery van. Horses were less than interested in our progress through the fields.

The sound of birdsong and rushing water from the overfilled Tickerage Stream were the only background accompaniment to our our conversation. Woodpeckers in a nearby copse were the unmistakable sounds that were heard amidst regular barking dogs which guarded the large houses along the route of the lanes.

The marshy fields were still clearly sodden with the previous month's rainfall and careful routes had to be found to ensure safe passage.

We climbed through the wood which had conveniently positioned boardwalks which prevented us losing grip in the mud. At the other end of the small wooded area, we ascended through another field. It was warming up and layers required removing. A brief exchange with a young lad with fishing rod in hand and Labrador by his side gave an indication as to his intentions for the day. An isolated brace of beehives were seen, which at first were considered to be some elaborate type of high risk horse jump that would land horse and rider into a thicket. The heat was getting to us perhaps?

We arrived onto Sandy Lane on the outskirts of Framfield and found our way to the church opposite the Hare & Hounds Pub. We took a break on the seats beneath the Lynchgate of the church and poured beverages from flasks.

Several paths from the graveyard provided momentary confusion to our next route, but soon identified the path we required. Although at first muddy with a trickle of water running down the centre, the final part of the path turned into a very dry sandy track. After coming out into Pump Lane we walked south east, firstly along the lane, then crossing another stile and into a large field with a path which was virtually undefined. It overlooked a large fishing lake, where several tents lined the edge with fisherman baiting their rods for possible bites.

We crossed the B2192 briefly and then into Bushbury Lane and just after a number of houses, followed the wooden signs into another field marked with the Wealdway. This took some navigating, as again the path on the map suggested we traversed directly across the field, however there was no sign of a path and therefore made our own way along tractor treads to the opposite side of the field.
Down through a small gully where a wooden boardwalk once again assisted our ability to reach the opposite side and then into a field where compass readings were directing us more than signposts.

The sound and sight of traffic guided us into Beechy Rd and then Hollow Lane, where we opted to walk rather that trample more marshy tracks. As we turned the next corner there were a couple peppermint beehives, one of which was actively keeping its buzzing residents busy. An orderly line of bees were entering and exiting the hive as the increasing tree blossom was attracting them to collect pollen.

The Blackboys Inn was in sight after coming through Kiln Wood where the promise of wild boar sculptures didn't materialise. Perhaps they had a limited lifespan given their construction of small branches and twigs.
The sun remained bright and warm on our backs as we arrived back at the car and eased boots from our feet whilst congratulating each other in achieving the 6.5 miles in a little over 3 hours.