But we were soon heading down across the fields at the back of the church through the many crooked gravestones. The strong aroma of decomposing straw and manure was a reminder of the rural setting into which we were walking. For most of the first 3+ miles we would be walking along the old coach road which ran at the foot of the South Downs.
The gravel track was peppered with occasional puddles. The first impressive sight was that of a converted barn which was in the final phase of renovation and what appeared to be holiday lets in a single storey extension. The flint stoned walls sparkled in the sun and enviously looked across the idyllic building.
We had to herd the dogs to our side as a tractor trundled past. The driver acknowledged our efforts to allow him through, despite there being no arguing the size of his machine. To our right several large prey birds (possibly red kites) soared around nearby hedgerows and trees.
The newly sown fields were starting to show signs of growth with stripes of green shoots holding sharp perspective and with a gentle breeze, it was looking like we'd chosen the perfect day for walking.
Conversation continued between us, and our pace was only disrupted by the needs of securing the dogs safety at strategic points along the way. We were closing in on a house that we recalled had some guardian dogs who tried to dissuade us from proceeding further, the last time we were there. But just as we were about to capture our dogs to heel we noticed a peacock strut pass the entrance to the house. Thankfully the dogs had not seen them and we managed to walk without hindrance as we heard the dogs barking from within the house.
The pace was testing us as we had to detour into a field as the track was virtually impassable due to the amount of water/chalk mud swamp that would have meant we may have been up to our ankles.
We were about to start the steep ascent to join the South Downs Way path on the top of the Downs.
But before, we thought it about time to crack the seal on our flasks and snack containers so that our energy was primed.
The muddy track upwards and the higher we climbed the windier it became as we met the south westerly wind hitting our faces. The group broke up as we all coped with the climb at different paces.
The views once we were at the high point near Firle Beacon were magnificent. We looked down upon the new Solar Farm near Arlington Reservoir which appeared to be a second watery mass.
Other walkers were striding along the same path, mostly in the opposite direction, heading into the wind which remained relentless across our path. The clouds over the sea were looking a little threatening at times as if they could have given a shower of rain. Thankfully no rain appeared and just as well as none of us were particularly equipped with rainwear.
Heads down, we endured the next 15 minutes trudge as the dogs seemed to be relishing the freedom.
We considered options of which route and decided it would be useful to drop back down at Bo-Peep car park toward the Old Coach road and take shelter from the wind. The dogs required shepherding carefully down the road as a few other cars and the same tractor passed by again.
We were now back down to the relative calm of the old track again and retracing our steps towards Berwick church. The spire could be seen as we turned the corner where the 3 way junction seat directed us in either direct Firle, Alciston or Berwick.
A few clouds were starting to form, bu the sunshine remained as we completed the final few corners of the track and headed back to our respective cars and released the laces on our boots after completing almost 8 miles walk.
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