Walk on the Wild Side!

Although this wasn't an official Summerwine gathering its worthy of reporting the experience albeit for the fact that we were introducing a newcomer to the group with his wife and well behaved dog Stanley (I think I got that the right way round?).
The 4 of us gathered (eventually) near Chiddingly Church and watched as the sun broke through a grey overcast sky. The bells of the church gave us our time check.... 09.15 and we set off firstly along the Vanguard Way. The walk was to combine several other slightly smaller walks around the fields and lanes surrounding the village of Chiddingly and Gun Hill.

Stanley was scouting at a ferocious pace waiting impatiently at stiles and gates but obediently coming to heel when asked. The sunshine was short-lived and we encountered a few spots of rain in the first mile. Stopping to listen to blackbirds. (well, we identified it because we saw it singing).

The terrain was changing constantly, from long lush green grass to heavy muddy bog states, to open well identified tracks. Stanley, meanwhile was happy to clean himself off in the flowing brook, momentarily sharing the experience with us as he shook vigorously when back on dry land. The sun was more constant and our raincoats were packed away with confidence.

Onwards we trod, through meadows, looking into woods which were still carpeted with bluebells.

Just over 2 hours into the walk and we felt the call of the local pub after stopping off to view the Stream bridge. Up the track and onto the main road, down through another farm where a group of young children were being tested by a variety of challenges. No such challenges for us, as we passed by the Gun Inn (which wasn't open) and on the final leg across new growing crop, the lonely stile with the backdrop of Chiddingly church was once more in our sight.

Just over 7 miles and the church bell chimed again.. 12.15. (3 hours amble) What you having... pint of Harveys!

Sunday 20th May - a plan

Chances are the weather may not be blisteringly hot as is currently forecast for Saturday (I jest).
There are footpaths waiting to be re-trod in the Chiddingly vicinity which means that if there any likely lads (you know who you are!) wanting to join a motley crew at Chiddingly Car Park at 9.00am for a stroll around the fields and lanes (taking in both the Wealdway & Vanguard Way) to return for a swift ale at the six bells, then please confirm back by Saturday evening. 

mushroom brewery walk

Now I could reflect on this walk with much relish and give lots of details about the whole experience. But I think for the sake of preserving some of natures fine food which we foraged with great excitement, I think it best I don't give the exact coordinates of where we found the rings of field mushrooms.

Suffice to say we met up at Birling Gap and walked across the windy fields to Crowlink, back through the village of East Dean and popped into see the workforce of Beachy Head Brewery wiping sweat from his brow, whilst washing the next batch of casks ready for the a brew of 'legless rambler'.
Our condition was far better than the state of this aptly named brew, of which nothing was happening in empty vats.
The skies were mackerel clouded as we returned to our cars and compared our pickings of mushrooms. Probably in excess of 5lbs of mushrooms were picked in as many minutes. Now into the recipe books to find appropriate recipes.

weather watch for next walk

You'd think that by now, we would be able to plan some interesting walks without fear of having to have our waterproofs on stand-by. Don't get us wrong, there's times when a good walk with the rain beating down on your back can be highly therapeutic and invigorating. But when we are all pretty flexible about when we choose to walk, we would like to walk in slightly finer weather than how the weather forecast people seem to present the forthcoming week.

And whilst the provisional plan to make a move to walk this Friday 11th May is still a possibility, our intention of to wait until Thursday morning when we can get a more accurate of the potential rainfall that might swell the rivers once more.

May Day Challenge - Full Report!

Forgive us if this report reflects more than a hint of self congratulating, having set a longer than usual hike that, for once a year, had the opportunity to experience something a little different.
For one, getting up as the sun is not fully over the changing horizon with a forecast that didn't look very favourable, was a good start. There was a drizzle of rain in the air as we met up in the car park with the long man looking down on us. Secondly, by setting off at such an early hour, there was hardly nobody else to see, so the sounds were completely different. (I'll come back to sounds later).
We set off at 6.40am... yes am.
2 miles into the walk and we reached the centre of Alfriston. The wet fields had already exposed the vulnerability of our boots which were moistening our socks. All three of us were not expecting to have to walk with wet feet for the remainder of the journey. But there was little option.

Almost 3 miles and we ascended to the top of the chalk track. Looking back towards Wilmington, there was a hint of sun. The clouds thinning and the sheep came towards us, thinking we had breakfast for them.

There was one small lamb on the wrong side of the boundary fence which we made attempts to guide back through a gap under the fence. The lamb bleeted as we tried to attract its attention to the gap. No such luck. Little 'lamb chop' was not going to fall for our helpful attempts. I think our days as shepherds are numbered.
5 miles and we passed the concrete Firle Trig point in good stride. Looking down across both sides, the mist faded from time to time. There was hardly any breeze to get the clouds moving. The radio masts were looking a long way off as we walked down the next slope.

We reached the 6.2 mile marker, Firle Beacon Car Park. There was a new, well constructed bench waiting for us. Not even commemorated to anyone... perhaps we should put a claim in. It was 9am and felt like a late breakfast time with flasks and sandwiches unpacked from our backpacks.

Still little sign of sun breaking out, the livestock across the fields were munching on their breakfast as much as we were. We were rested and re-fueled so we headed onwards towards the radio masts, which had become much larger, perhaps because they were closer.

We encountered a couple laden with large rucksacks confirming our thoughts that they were on the final stage of the South Downs Way. We spoke a little later with another young chap who had stayed in a B&B last night, even though he also had his tent on his back. Ninja Turtles had nothing on these hikers.
He had walked from Winchester to here in 6 days! that put us in our place as far as challenges were concerned.
We reached the brink of the descent into Southease. This would test our legs out as new muscles were put into play. The official footpath took us slowly down the hill, even though there had been temptations within the ranks to go directly down. What rebels we could of been.

We surveyed the options from the vantage point to either walk into Lewes along the river or go through Southease and Rodmell. Doubt had been put into our head because of the recent rainfall which, we thought, may cause the riverside path to become impassable or at worst very wet.
9 miles and we reached the footbridge over the A26 (Lewes to Newhaven) road, then headed towards the railway station. There was a strange overturned grain hopper looking like a space shuttle that had crashed landed.

We had seen numerous trains going back and forth as we came down the hill and admired the frequency of service provided to the residents of Newhaven and Seaford. The trains didn't appear, however, to be stopping that frequently at Southease.
We got across the Railway line without incident, despite the many CCTV cameras dotted around both platforms.

We took stock of the footpath along the river from the bridge and decided to complete the walk alongside the river.

10 miles and we were into a good stride with only the motivation of knowing that there were no more hills on this route. I mentioned the sounds earlier, but nothing could have prepared us for the unique and privileged experience of listening to several toads communicating with each other. We were no experts on what species, even though a passing dog walker who said he'd never heard the sounds before thought it was probably natterjack toads... whether that was the case, I'm now not so convinced. But to stand and listen to the toad conversation was a highlight of the entire walk, and something to entice us back to record the sound for some official identification.

The tidal river was fast flowing out and reaching its lowest point as we reached the 12 mile point and seeing the Lewes By-Pass (A27) growing closer, even though for a while Lewes was obscured from sight.
The final mile and we were reporting different foot and muscular pain. If we stopped, we might never start our engines again. The Downs behind us were shrouded in mist and there was a threat of rain in the air. Many swans nesting across fields to our left as well as cattle who were making a muddy mess in their field, but thankfully our path remained relatively dry.
Lewes - over 13 miles now as we passed by the Football ground. The railway station was just around the corner. It was midday, but the walk to the nearest pub was a step too far. The train timetable distracted us to find the next train back into Polegate was at 12.09. Tickets were purchased and we surprisingly found seats on the train.

A quick drive back to the car park to pick up our cars, then a welcomed pint of Harveys was consumed at the Giants Rest. A different, testing, challenging walk... another challenge next May 1st!

Cowbeech Blossom & Bluebells

This was a last minute get together primarily to see that all walking ability was stretched and tested in readiness for the May Day Challenge next Tuesday. A walk which we have completed on numerous occasions, however not at this time of year, in the knowledge that the orchard blossom would be starting to show, not to mention the expected fauna to start carpeting the woodland areas. The rain clouds looked threatening although promised by the weathermen to only be the slight threat of scattered showers.
We walked the usual lane route for the first mile, being interrupted by numerous vans, lorries and cars. We eventually reached the orchard and began to climb to the top of the field to be confronted with a 'path closed' sign. It was due to the Electricity Board repairing overhead cables, and therefore the map was redirecting us back down the hill and circumnavigating the orchard along a very muddy track.

Oh yes, the drought conditions and hosepipe ban did not have much support as we picked our steps along the next track. Not only this, there had been a recently fallen tree block the track. The high wind had contributed to its downfall and continued to blow fearlessly.

We continued the tracks and found a gate into Scripp Wood. A private area given only to horses by appointment.

We noted the clever way the orchard boundary allowed certain wildlife in (rabbit flap) and others out (blue string to deter deer).

We crossed the road and headed into Great Gensing Wood, which had b a good show of bluebells, then dropping onto the driveway of the neighbouring farm which overlooked Butlers Wood, which some trees had been cut, allowing us to view a large area of developed bluebells.

We crossed the final field which had been recently ploughed with little evidence of the footpath. The mud stuck to our boots as the going suddenly became 'heavy'. We were out into Hammer Lane where we shed a great amount of the mud we had collected on our boots. At least the rain didn't fall and in fact the sun was in evidence on numerous occasions.
Back into the car park of the Merrie Harriers in just under 2 hours had revived our spirit in readiness for next weeks challenge.

The MAY DAY Challenge

The challenge route is set for next Tuesday 1st May. We will be starting off from Long Man car park at 6.45am. If you want to witness the Long Man Morris Dancing, you'll need to be there for 5.30am.
Our destination is Lewes for a pint in The Landsdown Arms as close to opening time (whenever that is?)...  catching a return train back to Polegate Station (£5.40) and return to pick up cars at Long Man.
*An alternative to alight at Berwick and walk back to Long Man via Berwick may be considered.

The weather forecast is for a wet start but clearing mid morning which is an improvement on recent days. 
Suggest bringing a packed brunch/flask for a mid morning break.

The route will take us through Alfriston then up onto Firle Beacon following the South Down Way route down to Southease and along the river into Lewes. A distance of 13.5 miles....