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Cloud Spotting over Jevington

So this turned out to be the first afternoon hike that we'd undertaken and whilst there were only the three of us, it made it no less an enjoyable walk.
We met, as we did last week, at Butts Brow car park and decided on an alternative direction to head off. We were to head west and down the steep incline through the protected path which, after a few gates and a short walk through a wooded copse ended up in Willingdon Lane. We were greeted at the gate by a couple heading into the field. We walked past numbers 1, 2 and 3 Marina Cottages that were adorned with brick and flint frontage. At the end of the lane we crossed over and walked a short distance to the foot of another chalk track which would lead a straight route to the top of the hill on the edge of Friston Forest.

The weather had been a little overcast and breezy as we headed into Jevington from the car park, however by the time we'd arrived at the bench at the top of the next hill, the sun was shining and the need for fleece and coats were unnecessary and were soon shed as we took a short break to look at the route from the Butts Brow.

The next stage of the walk was through the trackway in Friston Forest with the intention to find our way across the Lullington Heath. Without map in hand we arrived at the edge of the Heathland in a different place as planned and therefore found a different route through a field of sheep to arrive at the gate where the information to the Heath was positioned.

It was with some caution we considered options and thought at first we could walk across to the edge of Windover Hill where the Long Man looked across the Weald. However after walking to the next gate and crossing toward the field we reconsidered this idea and decided that after a refreshment break, we'd be better to head back down toward Jevington.

So we stopped and watched a nearby farmer in tractor and following seagulls. The sky was constantly changing in all directions. A little bit of cumulus nimbus with some stratus thrown in for good measure. The sea glistened in the sun across the channel and the breeze on this sheltered side of the hill seemed a pleasant change. We collected up our back backs and gathered our vertical pose once more and headed back a short way, then down into the deep gully that would eventually lead us back to Jevington.

Not before making a swift inspection to what sounded and by all the evidence available was a bee nest buzzing with activity in the deep hedgerow. A little further and we made another inspection. This time the organic produce of a house that displayed produce from a small shelter with a parasol over it to provide added protection. A price list gave all the different vegetables available which could still be seen across the nearby garden.

We eventually came out onto the main Wannock to East Road and dodged a few white vans that raced through the village.

Our final climb onto Butts Brow awaited and after the sudden ascent the remaining climb was a gentle slope which didn't tax us too much. The views continued to be amazing from this vantage point. We had spied eastwards along the coastline and could make out the white cooling towers at Dungeness power station beyond Hastings. From a distance we could look back at the forest and adjoining trees and see the first tinges of autumn showing in the changing colours.

Just as we were getting to the summit of the hill, the countryside sounds were disturbed by a Chinook Helicopter flying through the valley between us and the opposite forested area from where we had walked an hour before. We watched it gently navigate its way toward the coastline into the distance. However after 10 minutes it was making a return flight at low altitude below us, along the same valley and headed northeastward.

We turned the corner and were on the final stretch toward the car park again. Our 3 hour walk had taken us 6 miles in total and provided us with some marvelous sights.

Off to Market

The barometer was set fair and the sky was misty as the 3 trudging hikers (yes, we were down to 3) parked up at Butts Brow car park amongst dog walkers going off in all directions.
We were setting our first warm up stretch toward Beachy Head, passing a dew pond which had notices warning dog walkers that the bottom of the watering hole had broken glass in it and that dogs should be kept from entering.
The site of Eastbourne below us was coming into focus and we were soon passing through the Eastbourne Downs golf course. The groundsmen were out keeping the grass looking in prime condition and for this time of year, the green had a certain lush gloss, that we were certain was appreciated by the golfers who trundled their golf trolleys across it.

We headed westward down the concrete drive toward the farm, firstly waiting for a three ball game that was just teeing off from an elevated tee, then shortly after the farm entrance, we managed to avoid a cyclist who was head down and looking like she was reaching exhaustion status.
We made steady progress along the enclosed path and reached the end of the track where options of further directions were displayed on the well weathered signpost.

Our aim was to continue along the lane which came out onto the main coast road and then toward the Village Hall and car park where the weekly Market was already in full swing. In fact we'd arrived around 11.30 and the rush of the first couple of hours activity were subsiding although there were still a bountiful display of fruit and veg as well as the meat and fish van which had a queue accumulating as we walked by. The main attraction of the day was the Ugly Baking Company, which had the usual selection of pastie styled snacks. The Moroccan Lamb was our only attraction which was simply consumed within minutes of purchase.

We eventually took rest on a bench in the shade of a horse chestnut tree which was starting to drop its prickly shells overlooking the village green and the Tiger Inn.
After a short snack and some drink, we gathered our backpacks and started the climb toward the church through a field of rare breed sheep from the nearby sheep centre.
As we reached the top of the field, a large dog (possibly a great dane), who's owner had allowed it to be off leash, started to bound after one of the sheep. Desperate shouts from the owner eventually caught the dogs attention before the sheep took to running down the hill, appearing to be none the worse for its encounter. Through the gate at the top of the field, we examined a few inscriptions on gravestones as we walked along the path toward the newly refurbished pond outside the church gates.

We had to cross the road again to then walk back up the Old Willingdon Road, enviously examining large houses that overlooked Friston Forest on the opposite side of the valley. The sheep were very much in evidence and as we reached the top of the track, we observed the modern method of rounding up a flock of sheep. The farmer was seen at the bottom of the hill steering his quad bike around the flock which were scattered around a large 5 acre field, with a spaniel on the back barking frantically for good effect, while the farmer continued to also give shouts to the sheep. He quickly took his hand from the handlebar to give a wave to us as we watched this speeding quad bike go whistling past near to the fence. No doubt the shouts were a familiar cry and after about 5 minutes we saw the entire flock had been herded down the bottom of the field and heading through a gate into another field.

In stark contrast, a few minutes later, we saw a more idyllic scene of sheep resting in the shade of trees, looking like they had all the day to ponder what they should do next. The field was full of greens, probably being grown as food for the sheep.

The car park would soon be in sight as we got through the final gate, but not before being engaged in a conversation with a lady who had walked to this point from Alfriston and was seeking our advice on which direction to head next. She was enthused by the idea of walking to the coast and along the footpath that goes west on the top of the Seven Sisters, which would get her to Exceat and then follow the river back to Alfriston. It appeared she was in no rush and seemed like she had the stamina to last the remaining hours of daylight to complete her challenge. Meanwhile behind us a runner requested our attention to identify what turned out to be a baby adder, wriggling with efficient style through the grass.

The car park was only a short downhill trek and we completed our walk which was 7.2 miles.

Cowbeech Fruit Walk 2

We had to quickly re-schedule this walk due to the availability of a couple of walkers. Two others currently away, had we not changed the day, we would hardly have constituted a quorum of hikers (or whatever a collective noun is for us gentle folk).

We had already focused our efforts on re-examining the status of Greenway Fruit Farm just a few fields away from Cowbeech, so as we assembled in the car park of the Merrie Harriers, safe in the knowledge that we'd at least be able to rehydrate ourselves upon return, we laced our boots and made a hasty stroll (if there is such a term?) across the road and down the first quiet lane. The road to Cowbeech was in fact closed to the usual flow of "busy" rush hour traffic. There was evidence of road closures beyond the pub, but we didn't find out exactly what was being repaired further along the road.

After a few turns and dodging Postman Pat in his van (both ways) we arrived at the farm gate to observe the Alpacas that were being kept as either a tasty christmas treat or some conversation piece for passing hikers. The weather was being kind to us with the blue sky and sun and the occasional cloud formations passing shade on us from time to time.

We descended into Cattle Wood, for a short shaded period and came out and were confronted by row upon row of pear trees. They looked ripe and ready to pick, and were soon proven right when we saw a group of pickers on hands and knees picking at the trees. There were massive crates of pears ready to be moved out of the field and off to market.

We steadily walked through the large field of fruit, passing apples of all varieties and raspberries in abundance.
We came out of the farm and onto the road where a couple of roadside stands attracted our attention, one selling a variety of apples and plums and the other just selling plums, all bagged up for sale for £1. Unable to resist the temptation, a purchase was made, but not after checking the quality control inspection before depositing a pound coin into the rusty money box which was probably securely screwed to the stand.

Onwards into the next field, we took in the views across the Weald toward Burwash Common and beyond. We then crossed into the main Cowbeech Road, then into a field of maze standing 7 feet tall  towering over all of us and obscuring the usual views towards the South Downs. The footpath was thankfully dry and clear for us the walk along.

It was nearing that time where a light snack and liquid refueling was necessary and after walking through Great Gensing wood, we unstrapped our back packs and sat down amongst a variety of cut logs.
The final stretch required us to walk along a long drive that led to Blackford Farm. The owner was busily cutting grass at the gate to the farm and gave us all a cheery wave. The attraction of at least 40 or more pheasants in the nearby field had distracted us briefly before we acknowledged his greetings.
The shooting season would soon be upon us and the sound of gun fire would soon be ringing through the very same woods that we'd just walked.

We continued through the heart of the farm buildings and out onto the lane beyond and observed the Cowbeech Waterworks which stood neglected. We were uncertain whether it was still functioning as a water treatment plant (more affectionately known as a sewage plant) as the windows were boarded up and there was little sign of regular activity.

We headed back into the village but not before doing a final forage for blackberries that were peppered within the hedgerows on both sides of the road. With a plastic bag in hand we arrived back at the pub with at a tidy bag full sufficient to make its impression in an apple and blackberry crumble. With recipes exchanged we threw our boots back into the car and consumed a small amount of liquid served at the pub. A 2 hour walk pleasantly spent completing the 4.5 miles.

Walking the Line to East Grinstead

The decision to allow a 'newbie' into the ranks of us humble hikers was not taken lightly as the request for 6 miles on relatively level terrain was an added request. It was a postponed journey from earlier in the year when it was raining. So it quickly came to mind that a walk from Forest Row to East Grinstead via the old railway line would fit the requirements.
We firstly congregated in a local car park and accompanied by a new canine recruit to the posse we drove to the car park in Forest Row and prepared ourselves for the walk along the Forest Way.
Whilst some were ready to take to the track, others were more attracted by the idea of exercise on a static 'nordic walker'. Alongside a new skateboard park, it seemed the Forest Row had won a lottery donation had it not been for noticing a plaque which described some alternative stream of funding.

We soon got into our stride and the steady walk through to the Forest Way allowed 'Blake' to have a taste of freedom from his leash. The A22 was our next and only major road to encounter and with the aid of a pelican crossing the 4 of us (and Blake) made easy passage to the other side, where the track provided simple direction for the walk to East Grinstead.

There was a steady flow of other walkers and cyclists traveling in the opposite direction. We noted the variety of willingness to engage in the pleasantries of interaction, however these observations were soon cancelled by a cheery 'good morning' given by a cyclist heading off to Forest Row. He certainly looked like a local on a local mission.
There was a steady incline to the old line to East Grinstead. The ghosts of steam trains that chuffed up the very same gradient was a distance echo today. Firstly through Minepit Wood and then Luxfords Wood, we were making good pace with the intention of reaching the High Street in East Grinstead in a little under 90 minutes.

There was an increase of dog walkers who seemed attracted to Blake, but was not reflected in him as he was much more keen to explore the undergrowth in search of rabbits and blackberries.
We emerged onto the main A22 road next to the road which opposite was aptly named 'Beeching Way' as this was where the famous Baron Beeching finally resided from the 1960's and died in the town's Queen Victoria Hospital on 23rd March 1985. So even more appropriate to have been walking one of the lines which was made obsolete when the British Rail network was reduced from 18,771 miles in 1960 to 13,261 miles by 1969.

But we'd arrived in the High Street, very much on schedule to explore for a while the variety of shops which comprised mainly of fishing tackle, guns and an experienced cobbler in a shop named 'The Menders'.

We didn't tax the economy too excessively as we between us a banana and dressed crab was purchased and we then took short rest outside Sackville College next to a statue of Archibold McIndoe, a plastic surgeon who moved to Queen Victoria Hospital shortly after it was built and founded a Centre for Plastic and Jaw Surgery. 

Clouds were gathering and concerns that rainfall was imminent, we gathered up our backpacks and headed back on the same route that we arrived. The added advantage that it was a downhill trek with no need to refer to the OS map which had remained in the bag for the entire walk. The dog trail was soon re-established as other dogs were engaged in momentary exchanges (if any) with Blake. He was seeking refuge in the valleys either side of the high embankment that we were now walking along. An engineering feat in itself, we considered, as we assumed that the gradient for the rail line must have been man made.

The trees in the woods were starting to show early signs of colour change and the farmer was busily ploughing his field in readiness for the next crop to sow. 
The final mile and heading back into Forest Row, we saw signs for an Biodynamic and Organic Farm shop and cafe which attracted our attention for further investigation. Once over the Pelican crossing we headed into Tablehurst Farm. Before reaching the farm shop, there were a couple of Sun Bee Hives positioned outside one of the houses. 

The Farm shop was busy with regular shoppers and others enjoying a coffee and lunch.
Our final stretch back into the car park took only 5 minutes and whilst the dog took up his position lying in the back of the car, the others of us took up our places and strapped ourselves in for the return drive.
Data recorded for the walk: Distance 7.36 miles, Hike Time - 3hr 12m, Average Pace 26:07/mile, ascent 2797ft descent 2845ft. Calories - 552