Not a Nursery Crime Walk

The weather had turned from the previous day and forecast was looking favourable. Only the 3 of us were eligible for this mornings walk which had been planned as the second part of last weeks 'There & Back' challenge. Our meeting place was the car park at Long Man in Wilmington. A Car Park that had recently had its toilet facilities demolished. As we walked through the church graveyard we turned a corner to view our destination on the horizon... Bo Peep which sat conveniently on the South Downs Way track about midway between Alfriston and Firle.

The footpath through the first field was a little sticky underfoot but for the majority of distance we would be tracking along grass covered pathways. As previously mentioned, the sun was warming our backs and a stout reminder that we'd hopefully seen the last of cold and wet winter walks for a season or so. Our conversation covered recent individual activities since we'd last met as well as recent news events. The blue sky now richer than before was occasionally mottled by cumulus clouds.
Alfriston was looking splendid in the sunshine also as we encountered a couple of boisterous dogs on the white footbridge that crossed into the heart of the village.

We crossed the road and went upwards towards the main South Downs Way. As we saw the chalk track ahead we spied a gorp of hikers about 153 yds in front. They appeared well equipped and making steady progress but maintained a good distance ahead. Our need to remove warming layers was necessary at a mid point ascent and allowed the other hikers to stretch their advantage on us.
The views at this point were a welcome distraction and realised the visibility was extensive.  Nobody at this point broke into song... but we could see for miles (ed. "I Can See for Miles" is a song written by Pete Townsend of The Who recorded for the band's 1967 album, The Who Sell Out Album)
We soon levelled out the ascent and after crossing another intersection of chalk tracks, we had uninterrupted 360 degree vista. The kind of days that this weather can deliver so easily and made us all soak up the surroundings. The senses were being stimulated to great effect with birdsong in abundance.

We were gaining on a couple of Hikers one of whom was clearly taking photographs at regular intervals. As we closed in on them one of them was having his photo taken leaning next to the 'South Downs Way' marker post. An offer to take a photo of both of them was gratefully accepted and had them pose with Newhaven in the background whilst learning that they were from Bristol (or Brissle) and were setting off to complete the entire length of the South Downs Way during the remainder of the week.
We left them relishing the scenery and continued to reach Bo Peep car park just as swarms of flies? or maybe mosquito? started to take an interest in our perspiring bodies. It had taken us 90 mins to reach this point.

We initially thought to stop here, but decided to continue as the attraction of flies were becoming intimidating.We were now heading south in the direction of Newhaven. Another couple heading in the opposite direction stopped and sought our guidance as to find Firle. Their intentions were honorable as they confessed to seek the Ram pub for lunch. Not a bad plan, but they looked less equipped than the hikers we'd seen earlier for what was likely to be at least another 2 hours before they ordered their lunch or sipped ale.

The fields were a variety of colours with crops of yellow Rape Seed breaking up the usual tones of green and brown.
(Ed - Rapeseed (Brassica napus), also known as rape, oilseed rape, rapa, rappi, rapaseed, is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage family). The name derives from the Latin for turnip, rāpa or rāpum, and is first recorded in English at the end of the 14th century.)

We were aiming to get to a specific bench for 11.30 and we arrived a little before and stopped for some refueling whilst being watched by a couple of horses and then several more walkers and cyclists. After 10 minutes or so, we were ready to make a steep descent into a newly cultivated valley which has recently been converted into a large, perhaps some might say, industrial looking vineyard. We walked the north and east perimeter whilst being eaten alive by growing swarms of flies. They'd clearly been waiting for today.

It was now a steady climb back to the top of the hill before descending gradually into Alfriston. We were tracking the horses we'd seen earlier. Their hoof prints clear in the mud as we reached the main road opposite Deans Place Hotel. Numerous school field trips were congregated on the grass outside the church for a picnic lunch as we walked through toward the white bridge.

Only a few more kissing gates to get through not to mention a few unwelcome stiles and we were on the final stretch toward the Long Man car park again. The clock was giving us our 4 hour deadline and the mileage completed at 10.5 miles.