Bewl Water - (Revisited)

It was March 2012 when some of us ventured to walk from Ticehurst and go around part of the Bewl Water... at that time it was looking like an arid tundra in which there's normally some 31,300 million litres of water stored for use by the local water authorities. However it had been a particularly dry spring and the threat of hosepipe bans came true later in the year.

March 2012

June 2014

But this was 2 years on and nearing the mid-year summer solstice and thought it was time to revisit our tracks and see what condition the lake was in.
With due respect of the threatening heat of the day, we made an early start and were in Ticehurst by 8.30am ready to stride our way through gathering school children waiting for their transport and cut into a footpath between a house and a shop which model railway enthusiasts would have found difficult to pass without going in.... but it was closed and did little more than window shop the dusty display that was afforded onlookers.

We needed to thrash our way through the first section of the path which was looking neglected after which we dropped down into a small wooded copse then up towards Tinkers Lane. The footpath continued opposite, however the instructions guided us along the lane where locals exchanged morning greetings with us, whilst drivers had more intent on getting to work and we had to take cover in a couple of strategically positioned driveways. One of which was Washington Villas.

We were soon off the lane and walking down a concreted driveway towards a farm. Again, dog walkers appeared to be pleased to exchange greeting, whilst their dog cleverly barked at us whilst carrying a stick in his mouth. Canine talent was clearly in evidence around these parts.

A few corners more and having turned onto the 'Round Bewl Water walk' the site of the large watery reservoir confirmed our expectations in that having experienced one of the wettest springs in many many years, the levels were adequately high enough to assure locals that perhaps there wouldn't be a hosepipe ban.
We saw a lone fisherman taking mid morning opportunity to conduct his fly fishing technique as we walked pass and more dog walkers came in the opposite direction to ensure our approach was a peaceful friendly trespass.

Although the sun was hot after an hour or so of walking, we took opportunity of some clouded respite and sat a while to observe the length of the reservoir and in doing so, disturb a flock of Canadian geese. They looked unperturbed by our presence and after 10 minutes we continued around the track recalling the route we had taken previously.
We crossed Rosemary Lane and left the water behind us and navigated our way along a dedicated pathway, firstly through open land, which then led into Ketley Wood. We made a steady ascent through the shaded glade and eventually came out at the other side, arriving on the main road. We crossed it and found the footpath to Quidley which was directly opposite.

The sun was out again as we took chance to view the Weald which provided an ideal backdrop to a very well maintained Dale Hill golf course. We obligingly followed the markers across the fairways as we had before, but not before one of the group managed to strike a perfect 7 iron shot he just happened to be carrying... (not).

It was time to drop down through a very neglected looking wood in which we saw deer prints and spent cartridges where no doubt the seasonal quarry had been tracked.
We were heading for the final 'high risk' section of the walk along 500yds of Pashley Road. To reduce risk of incident, a high vis vest was donned to ward off any potential events which wasn't written in our instructions. It seemed to work, as during the brief yet intrepid walk toward the next stile, we didn't encounter any threat of car, lorry, white van or bus. What could be described as a result in some respects and will consider using it again the next time we have to walk along roads with no grass verge.

We clambered over a few more stiles, exchanged some worried looks with sheep then through a wooded section and were soon heading along the final path and into the centre of Ticehurst where we rested in the central shelter to watch the locals purchase their early lunch from a mobile Fish & Chip van.
The walk had everything you might have expected in 3 hours... 7 miles of waterside, wood, fields, golf course,  paths of varying terrain and some amazing views... surprising what you can do when you put your mind to it!!