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