Points of View on The Mount Caburn trail

The weather forecast couldn't make it's mind up, and proved even more inconsistent as we drove out to Glynde in the pouring rain to meet up with the others in the group to start our Friday challenge to make the ascent to Mount Caburn.

Assembled on time outside The Trevor Arms, we started to walk, with canine company, toward Glynde Post Office having crossed over the railway line and looked out on the deserted platforms below.

Just opposite the Post Office, we were able to unleash the dogs and despite there being sheep in the field, there was no concerns of their intention of worrying them. The ascent had started and the first gateway came into view. In fact the gate proved to be the first challenge as there was no access to allow the dogs into the next field. With careful dexterity the gate was lifted from the single hinge and allowed both dogs and all but one of us. The following field was as steep but with little or no chance of obtaining sufficient purchase on the muddy surface. The pace was steady and whilst the dogs made easy progress toward the next gate. The next field was much easier on the friction/grip quotient and after a further 10 minutes we had reached the junction of footpaths and discussing whether, in such wet conditions, we should turn up and formally conquer the summit of Mount Caburn. We thought it was the right thing to do and head up the hill about 500 metres and look out on the A27 traffic below and pose on the seat.

The view, through a grey mist, was all but we should have expected given our trek to the summit. With a wave to a passing train below, we turned and set off back down the hill toward Lewes Golf club. 

Our orientation was then put to the test when we ignored the yellow arrowed marker post. However, just prior to this we were lucky to see a Roe deer flirting across a fence with a herd of cattle. We startled him a little as it scurried away up the hill. Once we'd re-directed our route alongside a barbed wire fence we found 2 sheep entangled amongst bracken bush? As we approached one of the sheep managed to free himself whilst the other appeared totally wrapped up with little hope of freeing himself. Once we got through into the field we ushered the dogs away from the area, whilst 2 hikers equipped with a small pen knife went to free the sheep. After some 5 minutes, the sheep walked away from the bush and the group were reunited on the hill top relieved to have rescued the distressed livestock.

Our next target was Lewes Golf course club house and time to take a rest and re-charged our batteries with a selection of snacks and hot drinks (bar 1). The views across Lewes were taken in from the hill top, identifying memorable landmarks where one of the group had gone to school.

The back-packs were strapped on again and we headed off toward the obelisk which commemorates 

17 Protestant martyrs who were burned to death in Lewes for their beliefs, during the Marian persecutions of 1555-7. It had been erected in 1901 and looks over the area of Lewes known as The Cliffe.

The rain had stopped at this stage and our ambitions were turned to tracking around the golf course. Eventually finding ourselves at the high point of the course we climbed over a stile and walked along a grassy track.

The rotating white blades of the wind turbine, which generates Glyndebourne Opera House's power supply, came into view. The dogs were keeping a careful check on more sheep ahead of us and we soon brought them to order. We were on the home stretch and heading across the high ridge which gave a 360 view. As we dropped down onto the next footpath, a collection of hunters with gun dogs and beaters were positioned at strategic intervals looking into a small copse. We'd heard gun fire earlier and had now discovered where it was originating from. 

None of the group of hunters (or were they poachers?) acknowledged us as we continued uphill again and through a gate where the dogs were given their liberty for a final run.

We were now returning down the hill where we had come up a few hours before. The weather had changed since we were here before and the sight of blue sky to the west gave a pleasant backdrop to our final descent.

We got through the final gate at the bottom of the hill, after just managing to keep our footing on the slippery slope, and saw the post office again. Glynde forge was open and the station platform was occupied by a lonely passenger waiting for the next train into Lewes.

Our work here was complete and our 6.7 mile walk over Mount Caburn was achieved with spirited enjoyment.

Alfriston Heights view

It was our first venture on to high ground in 2015 and having all 6 of us together again, rendezvousing on the western fringe of Alfriston meant that our view of the first hill was in our sights before we'd got out of the car.
Previous hikes up this hill had caused some of the group to shake in dread and anticipation of another grueling ascent.

The dogs were as ready as we were and set the pace for the following half mile ascent toward a junction of footpaths and took in the full view of the Weald below us. Wendover hill to our right and Firle Beacon to our left, there was a grand panoramic vista below us as we headed into the first field of sheep where the wind strengthened around our ears.
The simple task of walking was hampered by the continuing buffeting of wind, but the sun kept threatening to shine on us through grey clouds. After another mile of discussion and sheep counting, we turned south and straight into the wind. We caught glimpses of the ferry maneuvering on the sea outside Newhaven. The conditions out there didn't favour a particularly smooth crossing to Dieppe today, but it slowly disappeared from sight as we descended into the sheltered valley on Green Way.
We weren't the only ones out treading the chalk downs as we encountered several other people making progress across the network of surrounding footpaths.

At the foot of Blackstone Bottom we opened the new gate and started the steep ascent which provided a test of both stamina and grip for our boots. The awaiting bench at the top gave perfect opportunity to sit and refuel ourselves. Flasks and other post Christmas leftovers (and breakfast cereals) were devoured with relish, with dogs looking on for any dropped scraps.

After setting off back inland we soon encountered the company of a circling light aircraft that at around 500 feet was struggling with the similar buffeting wind that we had experiencing as he was trying to head into the westerly wind. Shoreham Airport, we assumed? He soon gave up and was seen with tail wind speeding at nearly the speed of sound. We admit we didn't hear any supersonic boom, but after 10 minutes he was making another overhead pass and making better progress than his previous attempt. He was soon out of view as we courteously passed through a sequence of older gates heading eventually to find a few people who had driven to the car park at Bopeep.
The sun tried to creep through the grey clouds, but with little effect as flocks of crows circled on the next horizon, no doubt disturbed by the windy conditions or by other wildlife that were competing for food sources.

At least the weather hadn't deteriorated despite seeing some serious dark clouds ahead. At least we didn't get rained upon. The sheep looked perplexed as we all arrived at the top of Borstal hill and pervade the scene across the Weald once more. We had reached the high point of the walk, and saw a lonely seagull struggling to get back to the coast with little chance of achieving his objective for the day unless the wind at 200 feet decreased considerably.
A steady descent now along the same path we had walked a couple hours previous. The view of Alfriston and the flooded fields next to the Cuckmere river was all the confirmation we required for the decision to remain on the high ground rather than circumnavigate our route (as we had done before) down towards Frog Firle and for a final walk alongside the river.
Several more dog walkers exchanged pleasantries with us and we were back at the junction of footpaths and steadily walked down the chalk stone trackway.
On our final descent more aircraft. 2 jet aircraft zoomed without any hindrance of the weather conditions as they banked and showed off their profile towards the sea.
The cars were in sight as we reached the bottom of the track and the gardener who was diligently cutting the hedge when we left was still hard at work with his petrol trimmer, filling up his trailer with cuttings.
We unlaced boots and after our 7 mile hike, we congratulated each other on the first walk of the year and made plans for another walk the following week.