Wealdway vs the Vanguard Way

Out last Friday to test out some new Berghaus Boots that were delivered earlier in the week. The previous pair were letting in the water, and it now being October and pretty much wet every day, it was time to afford some new boots.

Just the 2 of us were out for a relatively short walk between Chiddingly and East Hoathly.
We headed out on the Wealdway and returned slightly north of our outward trek on the Vanguard Way.

The path took us through fields and farmyards. Spotting some autumn mushrooms, later to be identified as 'parasol' mushrooms, but left in place as we were uncertain of their edibleness.

We also witnessed a heron in full flight above us, being chased off by a couple of well intentioned crows who were not giving permission for the heron to fly in their air space.

Our westward trek eventually descended into the village of East Hoathly where the rich brewing aroma of hops brewing in the 1648 Brewery next door to the Kings Head.

We turned right and found a bench upon which was inscribed an inspiring verse.

The boots were holding up well as we were trampling across wet grass and muddy gateways. Walking adjacent to a caravan park, we noted various caravans and motorhomes occupying both the wooded area as well as the open field pitches.
The clouds had cleared and were privileged to have blue skies and strong warm sunshine.

We headed south back towards Chiddingly after a couple hours and an enjoyable 5.5 mile walk.

almost forgot we walked last week

 3rd August 2012
Well, It was almost a week ago now that 4 of us likely intrepid adventurers met up at Birling Gap and went in search of any rogue mushrooms that had been overlooked by the recent passers by.
It was a fairly early start to avoid the massing hoards of visitors. In fact they never appeared and we had much of the car park to ourselves.
I took the trusty motorhome and parked up in readiness for our return to cook up a fairly basic brunch.
Although, actually I had some Ostrich meat that had been sitting in the freezer for a while.
The walk took in some of the outstanding views across the seven sisters and beyond. The tide was creeping in as we turned inland to Crowlink and then down to East Dean. Noticing the abundant number of manure bags near a stables, it was clear that the world of gardening had been put on hold. Not unless they were planning to make an Olympic sport out of allotment produce, I think the bags would be staying there for the next few weeks.
We briefly visited a local 'micro' brewery where there were no samples on offer... only the raw materials... malt! a little late for breakfast cereal, but interesting flavours.

We shouldn't have stopped there, as within a few minutes of leaving and on the final 10 minute walk back to the car park, the sea mist turned into torrents of rain, which had us all soaked, by the time we sought shelter in the motorhome.

Not to worry... the feast was soon cooking, and although no mushrooms were picked, a contingency supply of bought mushrooms were an ample substitute, alongside an egg, black pudding, onion, kidneys and of course, the Ostrich!

The Friday Brunch club was back on form.

Chiddingly is getting overgrown

A favourite starting point for where the Wealden Way and the Vanguard Way meet at the car park near Chiddingly Church car park. There were options to go in different directions however we replicated a circular walk completed a couple months back (see April 15th 2012) , but in the opposite direction.
The only hazardous experience was battling our way through areas that a month or so ago, were easily accessible, but now looking lush with various vegetation which were at times intent on preventing us from accessing certain secluded paths.
The weather didn't look too threatening (according to the forecast) however aware that cloud density was increasing whilst on our 2 hour hike around the fields and lanes around Chiddingly. Most noticeable was the amount of honeysuckle growing through the hedgerows. The water under the Old Stream Bridge was in full flow and the hammer pond next to it looking a little deeper than the last time we visited.
Back to the car park in Chiddingly. around 6 miles completed and time for lunch.

An East Dean walk in the mist

Realised that I hadn't put on record that a few of us managed to get a circuit from Butts Brow to East Dean and back on top to the Golf Course last Wednesday.
The only reason I had not made a big deal about it was because we were mainly walking up in the clouds and didn't see much sunshine.
No photos were taken so a bit of a short report on this one, but a very surreal experience as the atmosphere
The highlight was getting down to East Dean Market and making a purchase of a tasty little pasty.
We did the round walk in around 3hours... not a big rush for around 8 miles.... (or as recorded on the GPS... 11km?)

a little break, a little longer

sorry guys.... the plans went  bit pear shaped today, so another walk will be planned and posted shortly for next week.

A Little Break and Ready To Go

I must admit it was not my plan to take a rest, but the other summer wine hikers were taking it steady whilst I was exploring, this time last week, the heights of Snowdon. Yes, all 1085 metres of it. A walk up which took my wife and I 4 hours to the summit and another 2 hours to descend.
But it was a sense of achievement despite saying, once we had completed the walk.."never again".
The weather couldn't have been better... a little sunny at first with a slight breeze on the top ridge. Not even a need for a raincoat of any description.
So now we're back, there's a call to walk this coming Friday at 9.30am at Butts Brow.

How Many Bridges to make a Footpath?

When we set off we didn't realise that we were to encounter a record number of bridges on a relatively short 5 mile walk. A substantial investment of wooden bridges across a variety of streams, rivers and general undulations were in evidence and hence the title of this posting.
The Jubilee bunting was in evidence throughout the village of Rushlake Green as we parked the car. The initial footpath was to take us through both the front and rear garden of a small cottage. A neatly kept area with a small vegetable plot and views down towards two small ponds between which we walked. Both ponds were surrounded by a colourful display of rhododendrons and Azaleas.

Like the bridges, we neither accounted for the amount of hills and vales that this walk would present. Nevertheless, it wasn't to distract from the slightly cooler than recent days enjoyment of heading across new territory. The fields of wheat in rich dark green expectancy of turning golden with the next 4 - 6 weeks.

The footpaths were well signposted and most paths well maintained and trodden as we headed towards Vines Cross. A field with a couple of frisky horses were our only entertainment, as we circumnavigated the perimeter of the field and jumped over a convenient positioned style.

We momentarily went onto the road from one farm, and entered another footpath which directed us into a massive field of well established broad bean plants. Interestingly, one of the residents of Vines Cross, whose garden backed onto this field had also planted a rather sad couple of rows of broad beans. No competition really... the farmer won hands down, and whats to stop the resident from jumping over the fence and picking a cooking for himself, whenever he pleases??

We didn't pass by the Brewers Arms in Vines Cross, but were soon heading into another field of broad beans and going towards Warbleton Church. Both inside and outside there were reminders of the events linked to the Sussex Martyrs. People from surrounding villages and towns were taken to Lewes and burned in barrels for not denouncing their Protestant faith. We had seen the tower several times on the walk around to Vines Cross. But now it was straight ahead of us, standing proud and resolute.
Our pace was steady throughout, but the hills were noticeably getting steeper. The gradient up to the Church had generated a need to take a look inside and inspect the curiosities that had accumulated over the centuries.

After coming back out into the daylight, we descended past the newly named Black Duck on Church Hill. They advertised the Soap Box Derby on a board outside for Bank Holiday Monday (4th June). We walked the route where many intrepid pilots would be steering their man made contraptions next Monday.

A half mile or so of walking on the lane, and we were on the final footpath back into Rushlake Green. A final gate through which we went had a notice declaring the gate had been erected in memory of the death of Ian Price who died whilst repairing power lines in the 1987 Hurricane.

A walk of just over 5 miles, and took (with stops) around 2.5 hours