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...
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.
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.
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