Alfriston Riverbank walk

Our group had been depleted by 50% as aches! pains and infections meant that a rest recovery strategy was an essential need for those 3 that stayed at home.

We did have an aim to head north and convene at mark across, however there had been early morning weather warnings about conditions not favouring any strenuous exercise due to a southerly breeze carrying on it Sahara desert dust. Pollution in the air, we reconsidered our plan and took the decision to head to a less hilly walk and park up at the Long Man car park in Wilmington.

The 3 of us laced up and pulled on our rucksacks to head off toward Alfriston from the ruins of Wilmington priory. At the end of the first field we observed a large black rabbit sat in a cooage garden next to the footpath. A little later there were other younger looking rabbits crossing the road to join the adult rabbit. The air was warm and the haze of pollution could be seen across the freshly sprouting wheat in the large field just after crossing the road in Milton Street.

Cows were grazing in the next field but took little notice of us as our intention was to head toward the white bridge in Alfriston and walk down one side of the river toward Littlingron and cross over to the other side and return into Alfrston. The warm breeze kept constant but soon caused us to shed layers as we warmed by the exercise. 

There was certainly a strange odour in the air and were pleased we heeded the advice earlier. Our lung capacity may have been good, but probably been tested if we'd decided to ascend any of the nearby hills. 

We progressed further along the river path making pleasant exchanges with the numerous walkers who were out strolling at a similar pace.

Swans were out pecking at strands of grass by the river, but again little attention was paid to us.

We turned the bend of the path as it followed the river around the corner and through a double gate. We sat for a short while before continuing onto Littlington, where the next bridge enabled us to cross over and head back toward Alfrsiton. But not before taking in the views south where the white horse overlooking the river appeared splendidly proud in the sunshine.

The first and only piece of muddy track was easily walked around. The lack of rain over the previous week had enabled us to find a route along the west side of the river without too much hindrance however there were still a few remaining areas where the mud had resisted the need to dry out.

We were soon observing the village of Alfriston from a different angle, and after seeing the swans on the opposite side again, we passed Deans Place hotel and then the Clergy House, which was the very first National Trust building that was taken on by the newly formed organisation.

This side of the river was the less popular side to walk along as we saw more walkers on the opposite side.

Our aim was to take a short rest on one of the numerous selection of seats on a patch of grass just north of the church.

After a drink and a slice of cake (lemon drizzle & poppy seed!!), we felt able to continue along the west side of the river bank. 

A young heron was static on the riverbank, watching for a possible catch. We waited for a minute or so, to see if there would be a catch, but the heron appeared to loose concentration even though it wasn't caused by us distracting him. 

We reached the brick bridge and retraced our footsteps through the same gates and across the fields where we had walked a couple hours before. A large family group of several generations were heading in the opposite direction. Again we exchanged the pleasantries of the day as the post Easter exercise group headed into Alfiston.

We arrived back at the car park and took a final look at the Long Man standing on the hillside. The 6 miles had been completed in just under 3 hours which given the weather conditions was an adequate pace for the day.

Windover (Fools Day) Hill circuit

It was a second week where all 6 of us gathered in the car park at Butts Brow. The sun was once again shining bright and the sky was very blue, but the only difference was the chilling strong wind was blowing across the top of the hill. But we were ready to get walking to generate some body heat, but this week we would be heading off in a different direction.

Downwards into the valley, our intended direction would lead us off to Jevington, trudging along the relatively dry pathway where, for the first time this year, we were managing to go through gateways without serious jumping of muddy puddles with fear of losing both grip and balance in equal measure. The pace for some was speedier than for others, well controlled whilst conversations of the week were exchanged between pairs.

We took a moment to catch our breath in a small copse after the wind had been hammering us face on. A gradual descent into the village of Jevington and our accompanying dogs were soon exciting the local canine inhabitants as we walked the short lane toward the main road. We carefully crossed over and into the opposite lane to join the horse owners after passing along the lane where the church stood surrounded by daffodils.

The well groomed horses bathed in the morning sunshine as their coats and harnesses lay across the fence where we walked. They weren't bothered by our passing and we continued uphill towards Windover Hill. The route continued up through the deeply rutted track where only the highest axle vehicles could of maneuvered.

After the second junction of footpaths and we'd reached the summit of the first ascent on the hill. We barely broke our stride and turned right and then out onto the exposed field where we absorbed views in all directions.

We stopped at the next gate and took stock of the surroundings. The added bonus of bright sunshine and blue sky caused the day and views to lift the spirit of the hike. On days like this, despite the windy conditions, made the South Downs Way a very unique experience.
The signposts across the field led us to the top of the hill where the chalk outline of the Long Man lay beneath us. A lonesome horse and rider passed us in the opposite direction and with nods of polite acknowledgment he was probably thankful we'd taken control of the dogs with us, for fear of him being dismounted. But he looked an experienced jockey and the horse appeared calm.

Hardly recognisable from this angle, The Long Man had as good a view as we did across to Alfriston, Firle Beacon and the feint vision of the Glyndbourne wind turbine and Lewes beyond.

A few more minutes and our route took us carefully down the side of the hill. The light and shade of the hillside demonstrated the undulations of the rippled earth that draped across the Downs.
Such was our fortune, when we came to the next gate, that we discovered a convenient fallen tree upon which the majority of us were able to sit and take a short rest and refreshments. The highlight noted this week was of a breakfast cereal packet of rice boulders (88 calories/portion). tasty... mmm.

Such details were becoming a feature of our conversation, but we gathered up our rucksacks and tread more steps through some more rugged terrain, where even deeper rutted tracks had left mud and water lying in wait.

In fact the next phase of track after walking on the outskirts of Folkington, deceived us at first, but soon found further areas of muddy tracks that took careful attention for navigating around without getting our boots covered in mud.
The track soon leveled out and we were turning left and in need of keeping the dogs to heel while we walked along the road toward the 'Eight Bells' pub.

The final uphill assault towards Butts Brow eventually exposed further views at the top of Eastbourne and the views of Eastbourne below us and Hastings beyond. The dogs were as pleased as were were to arrive back after a 7½ miles hike around 3 hours...