Horsey Trek around East Hoathly

The weather forecast tempted some of us to dig out waterproofs and yet with sunny intervals interspersed with showers we could expect to be rained upon at some point during this hike around the fields and lanes of East Hoathly as we met outside the church. Only four were setting out on this adventure and decided on an extension of a described walk set by East Sussex County Council which would take us past Hesmonds Stud and beyond.

The first section however uncovered a new addition to the East Hoathly community. Just after leaving the graveyard of the church we discovered that a once piece of unused field had been converted into allotments for those green fingered citizens wishing to grow their own had been allocated portions of some healthy looking soil. Harvest time was yet to come as we had yet to experience any frost despite some chilly nights.
We crossed over the road and moved aside as the local refuse collection lorry maneuvered its way down the same driveway as we were heading toward the Stud Farm. At the end of the drive the gated community of stables looked securely encased as signs for where the footpath was made certain we wouldn't be trespassing on any hallowed turf.

Another drive slightly uphill walk, we looked to our right and behind us and noticed a newly built white building which looked a little out of place amongst the green surroundings. "Grand Design would have been interested in following this development" we discussed.
At the top of the drive, more 'footpath' signs and we now continued uphill towards a small section of wood (Great Wood). We'd visited the three graves of the horses previously, but gave them a second look to check on the names in case we'd placed any bets on them in whilst in their prime.

We continued on the well signposted Wealden Way footpath through the wood, but when we arrived a few minutes later at the stile to enter the next field, we found a double line of electric fencing inside which were a small flock of sheep.

Somewhat perplexed by this obstacle, we started to circumnavigate the boundary of the field, thinking we could avoid hurdling the wires that had every chance of delivering some effective electrical current through our bodies. Unfortunately when we arrived at the corner of the field, our path was still blocked off and hurdling the wire was the only option. Luckily, with the assistance of a wooden hiking stick, we were able to force the wire lower to make our hurdling efforts much easier.
This process had to be repeated on no less than 6 more occasions.

We reached a lonely looking tree standing in the middle of the next field which was the junction of footpaths. the direction post had been uprooted and despite trying to position it correctly to help future hikers, our map gave better assistance to trek to the boundary fence and hurdle over our final electric fence.

The path dropped into a darkened deep gully through which a small stream flowed. It was a thin north west section of Six Acre Wood which, once we'd come out into the next field would see us crossing over Beechy Road and then follow the Wealden Way into the field opposite. The boundary of this next field proved to be the better option as the field had been freshly ploughed and sowed with sprouting plants. It looked a bit muddy, so the grassy perimeter route was the preferred option.

At the far end of the field, we descended into another deep slippery path with wooden bridge which was equally slippery in the wet mossy covered surfaces. But the hedgerows were a mass of colourful berries, so was this the sign of a hard cold winter we had to look forward to?

We climbed out at the opposite side into another recently ploughed and sowed field, but this time deciding that if we stepped lightly, we wouldn't carry too much mud on our boots into the next field. Our plan came good and as we climbed a further couple stiles we were out on Bushbury Lane. A green woodpecker had quickly flown as we moved towards this final stile but it was good to walk for a while along the lane after the uneven terrain of previous fields.
At the end of the lane we entered a short footpath that led us into Hollow Lane. The gates into the field were equipped with heavy duty chains and padlocks. Clearly this was a hot spot for agricultural gate theft and the locals were doing everything possible to prevent it continuing.

We walked for almost another mile down Hollow Lane back toward East Hoathly, passing road signs in desperate need of repair or replacement and observing houses that looked on the brink of being derelict if it hadn't been for noticing the bin was out the road ready for emptying. We admitted that these were roads we'd ever even driven down least walked along.

Our final field walk had us turning into a field around which we walked, again ignoring the direction of the arrow on the signpost. At several points we had reason to stop and forage for an abundance of chestnuts that had been shaken from their tree by the almost gale force wind that was whipping along the side of the field.

We were now into the final phase of the walk and now at the rear of the white house we had seen earlier. We crossed the final few fields and into a short wooded area before coming out onto the main road into East Hoathly.

The sign on the opposite side of the road reassured us that we were 48 miles of Bow Bells (St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside, London EC2V 6AU) and that if we chose to walk further, it would probably only take us little over 2 more days. But there didn't seem much motivation to undergo this trip juts yet, and decided on walking back to the car after our 5.5 mile walk, or 44 furlongs if we were horse racing!! and without a drop of rain falling upon us.