The first track was steep and heavily rutted with the traffic that had used the route between Wilmington and Folkington. Our concentration on maintaining balance and grip was focussed as we walked along the flint and chalk based terrain. each step became a small challenge and with the first threat of drizzle in the air it was starting to look as though our timing had backfired.
Every now and again there were breaks in the fence and hedges allowing glimpses of the valley expanding beyond the immediate fields.
The track continued through a wooded area toward Folkington. The trees had dropped a good percentage of their leaves and the track was littered with the rejected brown, orange remnants.
We steadily trudged upwards, still mindful of selecting our steps between the deep gulleys and greasy surfaces.
We eventually came to a junction and soon afterwards negotiated our way passing a couple horses and their riders. There was a moment of the horse stirring, but we allowed adequate space to ensure we were unscathed by the event.
The glimpses of scenic terrain were rarely spotted as conversation distracted the process of ascending even further to the summit where the 360° views opened up. It was the first opportunity to examine the state of the clouds that continued to threaten but no rain of any significance had yet fallen.
Lullington Heath was to our left as we carefully descended down to a valley, then climbed a short distance uphill again.
A short detour, as we reached the 4 mile marker on our walk, we took a brief break for food and drink. As we sat, the rain started to threaten and some of us decided to don our raincoats.
We re-traced our steps back to the junction of footpaths and walked downhill toward Alfriston. The clouds remained dark as we picked out step and soaked in the views around us. Ahead we saw Alfriston come closer into view whilst a feint mist started to descend on the hills beyond.
Arriving in the lane at the bottom of the track we orientated ourselves to consider the best route to take.
We headed along the lane and turned at the junction to find our way into the field and then toward the newly repaired and painted white bridge upon which all the South Down Way walkers would pass over. Just before we reached the bridge we came across a newly constructed stile which had be re-positioned with scalping built up to enable walkers to mount and dismount with barely breaking stride. It was tested for the purpose of balance and good design and qualified on all accounts.
We stood on the white bridge and admired the new signpost. We then headed along side the river which was filling with tidal water and reached our 6 mile point.
The pace had been maintained relatively well at this point, but was aware that the final hill toward the car park at Long Man and few stiles might be testing.
The fine mist that we observed earlier had turned its attention to us and the drizzle was becoming more persistent. For those without raincoats on at this point it was little point in dressing up for the final half mile.
We'd reached 7 miles as we crossed into the field that would lead us to the church where the mighty Yew was rooted to the spot outside the door to the church.
A farmer was spraying toxic smelling chemical fertilizer on his field as we reached the churchyard.
Not to worry, the milometer had clicked onto 7.7 miles as we entered the car park. Completed in 3hrs 13mins....
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