A cold finale hike of 2014

There couldn't have been a better day to have taken to the Downs and put the group through an endurance hike. On a crisp, frozen, sunny, blue sky morning, the 6 strong troupe assembled at 9.30am and took to striding through the groups of mainly dogwalkers and off road cyclist towards Beachy Head from Butts Brow. The sun was in our eyes and the terrain was hardened by the sub zero temperature. We were soon generating heat from our swinging limbs and with dogs accompanying us today, they were soon making light of the occasion by going in different directions.
We soon gathered them and indicated our direction and were able to maintain interest and as much pace as we were for the first mile. We reached the first dew pond which was frozen however not strong enough to take our weight. Not even the dogs were interested in the idea of a skating lesson.
The golf course soon after, was sparsely occupied as we dodged aside to allow more cyclist go through in the opposite direction. We reached the junction of footpaths that left us pondering whether we could manage a little further distance or head down through our more relied route through more of the golf course.
We decided on continuing towards Beachy Head a little further and then cut across another footpath to drop down into East Dean.
We crossed the main coastal road between Eastbourne and Seaford and reached the second Dew Pond which again was half covered in thick sheets of ice. The dogs were again intrigued to find ice and whilst one was more attracted to the idea of bathing, the other looked on with no interest to wallow.
We continued and crossed the road leading out of Old Town area of Eastbourne. The sun continued to shine bright and low in the sky and the ground showed little evidence of it ever thawing today.
The small camp site on our right had a few festive camper vans pitched in for the duration and would likely be seeing the new year in tomorrow evening from their vantage point which gave views across the bay toward Hastings.
We needed to walk briefly alongside the road before heading back across the Downs onto a Bridlepath known as 'Long Down'. We walked passed fields of sheep. In fact we disturbed a Ram that was resting next to the flint wall after perhaps some early morning 'tupping'. The flock had appeared to have devoured a field of Brussels sprouts... unless the farmer had removed the Brussels and left the stalks for them to finish off before cutting them down. Our journey toward Belle Tout lighthouse was straight and after walking passed a herd of cattle feeding hay from galvanized hoppers we spotted a rather large bloated brown cow laying on its side showing no signs of life, even after one of the dogs went to investigate. It was evident that the farmer hadn't stock checked for a few days and had left the cattle to fend for themselves. The mood quietened for a short while as it was clearly a distressing scene to observe to an otherwise healthy looking herd.
A steady walk down into East Dean, however one of our fold was starting to suffer with an ongoing complaint of plantar fasciitis, which meant that the final few miles would be impossible for him to complete. He'd phoned to request his wife meet him opposite the Tiger Inn whilst we took a break and refueled with flasks and mince pies! at the 6 mile point.
We were now 1 man down and ready to do justice to the final stretch uphill toward the junction that would eventually lead us to the Old Willingdon Road. A route which was a regular return to Butts Brow, but one which always had to be negotiated with more cyclists and walkers out for their post Christmas exercise.
As we looked behind, the sun was beaming down pools of light onto the sea and the fields of winter greens were abundant with growth for the livestock that were likely to need sustenance over the coming months.
Our walk was completed as we walked down toward the car park and the time was 1.30pm. The dogs had to be rounded up whilst we had little hesitation in unlacing our boots and collapsing into the cars after completing 9.5 miles

A Christmas Trail (around Isfield)

The logistics on paper appeared to work out for us. The usual 6 suspects would meet at the Laughing Fish at 10am, then walk a pre-planned route (courtesy of an Argos walk published in July 2012), then back to the pub for a Christmas meal after what looked like an achievable 5¼ mile walk in just over 2 hours. Without our usual refreshment break, it seemed the perfect days activity.
What we hadn't bargained for was the the underfoot conditions and the lack of signposting which had us disorientated soon after we'd departed the pub and reaching the first stile.

Looking around and reading the directions we didn't pick out any of the described landmarks. Some instinctive treading along worn walkways in the field led us to one gate and then eventually another stile. It wasn't looking good as we failed to maintain good purchase on the slippery muddy fields.
Heading towards a farm which we thought would lead us out onto the main road was in our sights after crossing fields that had been cordoned off with temporary electric fences that had been organised to allow horses to have their right to roam over our rights.

"Can I help you?"... a lady came from the barn walked towards us. Her manner was pleasant however she informed us that the way along the drive to the road wasn't a 'right of way' and that the owner of the land would be none to pleased about us walking through this route. She advised us of the alternative route, which meant re-tracing our slippery steps in the same few fields.
The toil of walking on this surface was beginning to tell on us and realised there might be difficulty in keeping on track. 

Time was precious and our chances of continuing on the same route to walk across the National Golf course was fading fast. We consulted the OS map and decided on an alternative route that would take us further north yet still encounter the Lavender Line, which was part of the original route.
We found our way across some more fields and eventually out onto the A26 where the convenience of a footpath was a pleasant relief to walk on.

We soon turned off onto a lane with the golf course on our right and Wharton Wood on our left. It wasn't long before we were treading across another field where we'd eventually discover the welcome sight of the Railway line which ran between Isfield and a halt affectionately referred to as Dingly Dell (on the OS map).

But although the railway line was in sight, the challenge to find the crossing point left us concerned about the lack of signposting, but we eventually found it and stopped to observe 3 roe deer attempting to find a way out from the confines of the railway line.

The final phase of the walk would take us through treacherous conditions and that the addition of snorkels in our equipment might have been a good idea. We were about to walk alongside the banks of the Rivere Uck which was swelling and flowing fast.

"This way looks better" every man to his own route seemed to be the optional strategy. Puddles of muddy water were ankle deep and creeping into our boots!!
Horses looked on with bemused wonderment as we made our way through barricaded gateways. Someone was making it difficult for us, even though the green dotted lines on the OS map and the few footpath signs gave us clues that we were on a legitimate route.

Another 10 minutes and we had reached Elms Farm and walked through despite signs that suggested we may have been trespassing.

The Isfield sign welcomed us back into the village and the sight of the pub came into view. It was coming up to midday and after 3.5 miles we had disrobed in the car park and ready to take up our places at the reserved table to consume a tasty Christmas meal....

We spent the afternoon around the table reflecting on the year's walking and all agreed the amazing walks we'd achieved although also considered that the last couple of hours wouldn't necessarily feature as one of the highlighted walks. We will now be taking a couple weeks off and plan some more interesting and maybe adventurous walks for 2015.

A Bridge too Far (Polegate Wetland Trail)

We should have taken more notice of the small print on the Wealden Walk guide sheet.

"CAUTION - The route east of the Cuckoo Trail crosses a wetland area and may be flooded following wet weather"

Most walks at this time of year could have this added to it, however our need to take to the fields in the surrounding fields between Hailsham and Polegate appeared to be a worthwhile venture.

But not all was as easy as we'd planned. We arrived around 9.20 at our rendezvous point at the Old Loom Mill car park on the Ersham Road.We found the access gate to the Cuckoo Trail was locked with a sign indicating that it would be opened at 10.00am.

We discovered that the lady who runs the fabric Dept in the Loom held the key and would be arriving shortly by bus and her first task of the morning was to open the gate. We stood and waited her arriving wondering what to do if her bus was held up behind a convoy of buses and what their contingency plan was if she phoned in sick for the day. Our hike plans were in jeopardy.

But wait, here she came. Strolling up the drive and as promised her first task of the day was to make a B line to the gate and unlock the gate.

We exchanged morning greetings with her as she headed back to her fabrics whilst we escaped the compound and headed north on the Cuckoo Trail.

The sun was shining bright and the wind on our back as we got into our stride along the path toward the pelican crossing and onwards towards Hailsham. But it wasn't long after crossing the road before we headed across the first series of fields divided by stiles of varying heights and state of repair.

We trudged our way along the Saltmarsh Lane (that was the clue of the state of the fields we were about to cross) after spying on a barn full of vegetables that were being boxed up and transported by white vans to local markets and shops.

The traffic along the lane was relatively busy as over recent years has become a short-cut into the centre of Hailsham. We were thankful to be escaping over the roadside stile after a 5 minute walk along this lane and once again finding our way across a sequence of stiles and fields and a short wooded area which then had us entering a field of Shetland Ponies that were inquisitive at first. Once getting out of the field one of the ponies suddenly galloped at full throttle the length of the field and we were pleased they hadn't displayed such activity as we entered the field. We threaded our way around Little Downash Farm which was surrounded by fields of horses of varying sizes and started to discover more moisture in the sequence of fields that followed. Sheep as well as horses looked at the 4 of us attempted to find the driest route across the marshy fields. 

We stopped and confirmed our position as the lack of signposts gave an impression that although there were dotted green lines on the OS map, there were no indication that we were on the right track.

As we traversed the swamplands a fox scampered across the field ahead of us. It seemed intent on finding the nearest hiding place.

A bridge across a stream located our position and assumed our route across it although still faltered on the opposite side for a few minutes but retraced our muddy foot tracks and walked alongside the next ditch. Almost by accident, we discovered a signposted gap in the hedge and small wooden bridge which enabled our walk to continue toward Decoy Wood. Once again the driest route eluded us to some extent, whilst we excited a herd of cattle who probably thought we had food for them. Thankfully their stampede toward us was hindered by a few ditches of water between them and us, which distracted their willingness to cross and therefore allow us to reach the gate and then into the wood. There was a momentary stand-off as we were in the same field as the cattle and noted the bull amongst them was ready to assert his authority in front of his pose.

We were soon trekking our way through part of the grounds of Glyndley Manor which eventually came out onto Glynleigh Road which was the local access road to Hankham. We were only on it a few minutes as the route took us down the driveway to Priesthawes Farm where a collection of barns and outbuildings were occupied by different businesses. Chafins had their winter stock of logs ready after a summer of tree surgery work and a Barn full of red double decker buses were in hibernation ready for next years 'hop on - hop off' sightseeing tours of the Eastbourne area.

More fields of horses lined the driveway as we continued through the farm passing by the Priesthawes House. At the end of the drive were 2 large metal posts upon which was mounted a drill head. We crossed the main road and went directly opposite down towards the Polegate Bypass. Our powers of navigation left us bemused as although the OS map indicated the direction in which we needed to walk in order to reach the footbridge that crossed the bypass, we seemed to be led into a corner of a field with no escape. We walked a short distance to find a gateway onto Shepham Lane.

A chance to kick some mud from out boots as we walked the lane and find our bearings and see whereabouts the footpath would have been marked around the small reservoir of water in the field to our left. 

The sound of the traffic on the By-Pass was growing louder and we crossed the bridge to find a convenient place to sit for a short while and re-hydrate our thirst from our silver flasks.

We debated the options on which route  to take us back toward the Cuckoo Trail and the final approx.1½ miles northwards trek from where we'd joined the Trail.

We decided on what at first looked to be both quicker and less muddy path. Little did we think our final gateway would be totally awash with thick deep mud. 

The foot bridge that would take us back to the Old Loom appeared as we turned right onto the Cuckoo Trail. on the opposite side a couple horses were coming toward us, but turned down to the left as we reached them as it was feared that the width of the bridge would struggle to entertain us walking four abreast as well as 2 horses and riders.

The growing number of benches with memorial plaques adorned the final stretch of the Cuckoo Trail. No time for us to sit and watch the wildlife now, even though the notice board offered us useful information to identify anything that should pass us by.

Dodging the occasional cyclist we reached the car park without further hindrance unscathed. The gates were still open thankfully and ready to release the laces from our boots after our walk of 5.8 miles.