Tuesday June 24, 2008: 5.5 miles, approx 330m ascent (Map: OS Explorer 122)

It was already midsummer and I had't been for an after-work walk on the Downs yet. The route I chose started from the car park by the Jack and Jill windmills on the Downs near Clayton in West Sussex. I followed a shorter version of the route described in the walk "Fresh Air and Exercise and Jack and Jill" from March 31 this year.

It was a lovely evening when I set off  at about 6.30 pm. I followed the bridleway just north of the car park, heading east for a short distance and then roughly southeast, passing New Barn Farm, where I saw a few linnets, and crossing the South Downs Way by the golf course. Keeping going in the same general direction, and seeing my first and only poppies of the evening, after wiggle and a short eastward section, I then joined the Sussex Border Path going northeast.  Close to the SDW I detoured north for a short stretch to cross the SDW at Keymer Post (a big footpath signpost - not on the map, it's near the marked 234m spot height). Here I went east for a couple of hundred yards in the access land north of the SDW, to pick up Burnhouse Bostal, which I followed down hill (northeast-ish) to Underhill Lane. The slopes above the bostal were scattered with orchids, little pink ones and pale pink spotty ones (apart from bee and spider orchids and early purples, that's the sum of my orchid knowledge).

Going east for about a half mile along the lane I arrived at the car park (not marked on the map) by the Beacon road at the foot of Ditchling Beacon. Crossing the car park I took the footpath south for an uphill slog onto the ridge half a mile west of the Beacon trig point, passing a yellowhammer on a gorse bush, I was greeted at the top by a stonechat sitting on a fencepost. Staying on the access land north of the SDW, I headed west, crossing my outward path back at Keymer post . Here I turned  north on the bridleway down hill, joining Underhill Lane just east of Whitelands. Following the lane west this time, after just over half a mile I turned onto the footpath continuing west and the curving south round the lip of an old  chalk pit to join the bridleway up towards my starting point by the windmills.

Although disappointed by the lack of poppies (had I missed them, or wasn't it a good year for poppies?), I got back to the car feeling like I'd had some good exercise on a lovely evening, and headed home for toast.

Sunday June 15, 2008: a very long 13 miles (should have been 10, at least 400m (should have been 340m) ascent (Maps: OS Explorer 124 & 136)

My shredded feet had recovered from Scotland, they were getting itchy again, and I had a date for a walk in my diary, so off to the High Weald I went for an change of Sussex scene. For those of you that don't know this part of the world, the landscape is different from my usual Downland habitat, has a fascinating history, and is well worth a visit. Another important thing you need to know is that this landscape is a richly varied mix of small fields and woodlands, meaning that there's an awful lot going on navigationally in a small area, well that's my excuse ...

Anyway... various potential walking companions cried off for various reasons, but four of us eventually made it to Burwash in East Sussex on a mixed sunny/cloudy morning and set off from the car park by the Bear Inn, heading towards the church and down through the graveyard to the southeast.

This is where I made my first mistake, too busy yakking I missed my footpath going east/southeast towards Grandturzel and we ended up at a dead end near Glebe Farm. Roughly retracing our steps back  and south we eventually found the path we wanted, joining a bridleway going south, passing near Grandturzel and continuing on to Fontridge Lane.

The next leg was more straightforward, heading south on a bridleway past Socknersh Manor and through Mill Wood and OIdhole Wood. Just past Manor Farm we took the footpath southwest to Oxley's Green for our first encounter with stingers, brambles, and dog roses (ouch a lot). At the crossroads at Oxley's Green we took the lane south, past the apparently now-dead Jack Fuller pub, and then picked up the footpath southeast towards Kent Lane, stopping for lunch in a sloping meadow just before we reached the lane.

After lunch another error in nav saw us climbing a fence onto Kent Lane a couple of hundred yards to the west of where we should have joined it, at least I spotted this as we walked up the lane, and half a mile later we easily found our bridleway south through Scaland Wood to cross Darwell Stream (which feeds Darwell Reservoir). This track wiggled a bit through the woods and after a short wander in the wrong direction we righted ourselves and picked up the bridleway again where is crossed over the conveyor track, which runs between  Brightling and Mountfield Gypsum mines.

On the map, the bridleway continuing southwest-ish through Darwell Woods looks obvious, but the wood is crisscrossed with tracks giving ample opportunity to screw up. As we plodded up hill, I thought that we were making more height than we should have been; the sound of cars gave away the direction of the road we were making for and I realised that we had gone more south than southwest. A turn to the west eventually brought us back on course where the bridleway crosses a road about a quarter of a mile southeast of Cackle Street.

Crossing the road, we continued roughly west and then north of west through Prinkle Wood and then Coblye  and Mansbrook Woods where the path was boggy and the air was filled with midges and horse flies that had me for lunch (ow!). We then climbed gradually towards the road east of Brightling Down. After a short hop south on the road we took the footpath northeast-ish towards Brightling Down and into Upper Plantation. Here I screwed up big time, and instead of taking the footpath northwest towards Great Worge, and convinced I was right, I took the bridleway southwest into lower plantation. This was truly the path from hell - a morass, but foolishly I didn't check the compass - distracted by the sunshie and the sound of turtle doves calling in the thick woodland. When we reached the ford at the bottom of Forge Wood it clicked that we were way off course. I worked out where I thought we were and we soon picked up a footpath that tallied with te map. A bit spooked by my cock-up I opted for a short cut along a track, which didn't quite work out, but after climbing a gate we eventually rejoined the footpath just west of Great Worge.

Not wanting to compound my errors further, we stuck to this path to join the bridleway (a concrete track) just east of Little Worge Farm, which we then followed east-ish to join the road by a great big stone obelisk (one of many follies in this area). We followed the road at a good pace heading northwest and past Perch Hill Farm, home of Sarah Raven's Cutting Garden (as seen on Gardeners' World, etc). Here we were back on more familiar territory, taking a bridelway just after (northeast of) Perch Hill Farm, which led roughly north and down hill via Park Farm into the Dudwell Valley to Batemans, erstwhile home of Rudyard Kipling (zzzzz). Here we joined a road which we followed east for a couple of hundred yards, to pick up a footpath north and uphill back to Burwash, emerging utterly knackered into the car park, from where we had stared 6.5 hours before. An epic walk, glovely walking weather, but absolutely piss-poor nav.

So, that leaves three last comments:

1. I'm going back to to get this route right.
2. Next time I won't wear shorts as I got prickled, stung, and bitten to bits.
3. It rained back in Lewes but not in the High Weald (ha ha).
4. Sorry no photos, I was too busy with the map, I'll try again next time.

Walking Women Spring Gathering 24th to 30th May 2008

On the Saturday of the late May bank holiday weekend, I headed north on the train for a 6-day adventure with Walking Women. We stayed at Comrie Crofts, a privately-run hostel between Crieff and Comrie about 40 mins drive west from Perth.

Arriving on the Saturday evening, we settled in and sorted ourselves out to start walking the next morning, smug in the knowledge that we were in for a few days of excellent weather.

On the Sunday we warmed up with a walk around the hills, streams, and gorges northwest of the hostel and north of Comrie. (about 7 miles, approx 250m ascent)

The Monday found us travelling to the dam at the foot of Loch Turret, source of the water for Famous Grouse Whisky. Walking via a lochside track we made for the summit of Auchnafree Hill 789m (a Corbett) enjoying some off-piste walking through heather and boggy ground on the way and seeing our first mountain hares. The journey back down was a long trudge on a track, although we were rewarded with bright sunshine and excellent views of curlews towards the end of the afternoon. (about 11 miles, at least 550m ascent)

We were dropped off at St Fillans by Loch Earne on the Tuesday morning. After making our way along the side of the loch for a short distance we headed up (north-ish)to Loch Boltachan. From the north side of this litle loch we went roughly west down Glen Boltachan and across fields and through woodland to Comrie for tea. (about 8.5 miles, approx 400m ascent)

By Wednesday I was knackered and, unusually, I had a big fat blister on my heel. It rained so plans were changed and from a high hill walk to a lower level wander in the countryside around Crieff. Feeling uninspired by everything today, when we reached the Famous Grouse distillery I opted to cut my day short. (5-6 miles, not much more than 100m ascent)

Thursday started with feet patched and taped and the all-weather gear packed. From Glen Lednock near Comrie, we followed the track beside Invergeldie Burn before heading cross country up through the mist towards Ben Chonzie. It was a long slog up for me with legs tired from the last few days, but after a short lunch stop the weather cleared as we made the summit at 931m. Some of us (me included) had bagged our first Munro. We looked out across Loch Turret below and across to Auchnafree Hill where we had been on Monday. We descended roughly southeast, stopping to play in the last of the snow on the way and spotting a few mountain hares. We picked up a track running southwest along a stream and eventually to the river Lednock below. (about 9 miles, approx ascent 710m; only another 283 Munros to go...)

We were going home on Friday, but there was still time for a couple of hours walking on the hill behind Comrie Crofts. It had been a wonderful few days with great company, scenery, and wildlife. We'd seen ospreys, eagles, mountain hares, and roe deer, as well as a huge variety of wild plants, including sundew, butterwort, and bog cotton. My feet were knackered and it was along way home on the train. I'm already thinking about my next holiday.

First of all, thanks to Helen for making it all happen...

Twenty nine of us stayed at Kington Youth Hostel in Herefordshire, close to the Offa's Dyke national trail and in the shadow of Hergest Ridge. Suffice to say we all had a great time with the usual great organisation, superb catering, and fun, fun, fun!
But... that's for those of us who were there, and I'll just stick to describing the two lovely walks that I went on.

Saturday May 17, 2008 10.5 miles, approx 350m ascent (Map OS Explorer 201)
Hergest Ridge Circular

This was my contribution to the weekend. I led 20 of us off from Kington YH in light rain, going down the high street and then turning northwest up hill along Church Street to join the Offa's Dyke trail by the church.

We soon warmed up as we started up the east end of Hergest Ridge along Ridgebourne Road. Where the road ended, the trail passed through a gate and we paused for a breather and to shed layers as the rain stopped. The trail continues west and upwards as a broad track and crosses the route of an old racecourse. At the western side of the old racetrack there's a small plantation of monkey puzzle trees (why?) where we stopped for elevenses.

The trail continues along the top of Hergest Ridge, and we were soon beyond the highest point, heading down to the southwest. After a brief interlude recapturing Duncan after he made a bid to run away and join the doggy circus, we headed onwards an down to the Royal Oak at Gladestry. Some made for the pub, some sat outside for sandwiches, and some did both, though it started raining a bit again and wasn't ideal picnic weather.

After gathering everyone together again (my biggest challenge of the day), we retraced our steps east out of the village and the rain switched off. At the turning for Offa's Dyke path, we stayed on the road southeast-ish for about half a mile, turning northeast at Llan-y-Felin farm on a bridleway towards Upper Rabber, with red kites circling above us.

At Upper Rabber we turned north-ish, making a short steep climb and stopping for a necessary breather and to round up stargglers before heading east on a bridleway towards Rabber Dingle where we recrossed the border back into England. We followed this bridleway east through open country seeing more red kites and a buzzard. We then followed the continuing footpath northeast to the crossing of paths above Bage, where we had an afternoon tea stop before going southeast down the lane from Bage to Castle Twts. The verges of this lane were covered with wild flowers: bluebells, yellow archangel, red campion, greater stitchwort, jack by the hedge, and bush vetch (among others).

We took the footpath north-ish at the base the mound of Castle Twts, crossing several stiles over the fields to Park Wood. The rhodedendrons were in magnificent bloom as we passed through Park Wood on the footpath running northeast. Where this footpath leaves the wood it joins a lane that runs roughly east. A quarter of a mile after joining this lane we turned onto a short stretch of footpath running steeply downhill (south east) to a road.

We crossed the road and turned south west past Mill House to pick up the Herefordshire Way back into Kington (going roughly northeast). From the town centre we retraced our outward route back to the hostel for tea, cake, and the end of the FA cup final. We'd had a great day's walking and all made it bacl more or less unscathed.

Sunday May 18, 2008 6 miles, approx 200m ascent (Map OS Explorer 201)
Bradnor and Rushock Hill Circular

A shorter walk today before we headed for home, led by Wendy, with expert back-up from Caroline. Twenty of us (with a few swaps with the whippet group) made off through town towards the church and then roughly northwest by road to the A44 at Floodgates.

Crossing the A44 we turned east and shortly after this picked up the footpath northeast passing through Bradnor Wood, then north past Dunfield, and curving northeast and east to Holywell. After a short detour and a "navigational adjustment", we curved round to the north for a short uphill to join the Offa's Dyke trail.

After a short breather and photo session we followed the trail east along a short section of Offa's Dyke on Rushock Hill. We stopped after about three quarters of a mile for a lunch break on the hillside looking south over the beautiful soft green hills.

The last stretch of our walk was along the Offas Dyke trail south back to Kington. We crossed fields edged with bluebells and passed an oak wood with more bluebells, before crossing the edge of the golf course on our way down. We came into Kington along grassy paths between cottages, crossed the stream at Crooked Well (still following the Offa's Dyke trail), and made our way back to the hostel via the lanes behind the high street.

Another lovely walk, with a variety of landscapes and scenery - just enough to send us on our way.

Sorry no pictures this time.

Sunday May 11, 2008: 11 miles, approx 280m ascent (Map: OS Explorer 123)

It was hot hot hot again, and only 8 o'clock in the morning. So with 2 litres of water and a similar amount of sunblock I set off for this month's walk with the Sussex Women's Walking Group.

After collecting 3 Londoners from Lewes station and narrowly avoiding picking up a few more ladies from the Croydon Ramblers, we drove to the Bo Peep car park, which is on top of the Downs a couple of miles northwest of Alfriston in East Sussex. The car park was stuffed and the top of the Downs was crawling with paragliding enthusiasts launching themselves up into the spiralling thermals.

Collecting ourselves together we set off just before 11 o'clock over open Downland on a bridleway southwest to Heighton Hill, where we had a short break; Gardener's Hill; Stump Bottom where we got stung; and Poverty Bottom. The path southeast through Poverty Bottom is one I like very much and the shade over the sunken track was very welcome today.

We continued to Norton, where we headed northeast-ish on the footpath along Devilsrest Bottom, making height gradually and then more steeply as we made for the ridge ahead. It was hot going and we arrived at he junction of paths on the ridge in need of a breather and lunch in a shady spot. We stopped at the bench by the junction and made our own entertainment, which included me modelling her new Merchant-Ivory-style summer walking scarf.

Following a longish break we followed the bridleway curving southeast along the top of the ridge (a track called The Comp) past Camp Hill and Cradle Hill. Crossing the Afriston Road, we made our way northeast across the Access Land down to the river Cuck. Following the river we crossed the footbridge at Litlington and continued towards Alfriston beside river on the Vanguard Way.

Recrossing the river on the footbridge at Alfriston, we wended up into the centre of the village still following the Vanguard Way. We were lucky to get a table in the garden of the best tea shop in town for a good long break for tea and the excellent (as usual) cakes and scones. If you want to know which tea shop is the best you'll have to go and try them all and decide for yourself.

Duly replenished, we continued on the Vanguard Way, following the road northwest out of Alfrison. Where the road ran out, we left the Vanguard Way and picked up the byway (Comp Lane) that was the once coach road (see last entry), continuing roughly northwest towards Alciston. Apart from one lovely shady section, it was hot and dusty on the track, and we were glad of a shady interlude on the Millenium bench at the junction with the lane to Alciston. We had a short break cool off and to prepare ourselves for the hot slog uphill back to the top of the Downs.

Just northwest of this junction, we picked up the footpath going roughly southwest along a field edge and then a sunken track, before emerging onto the open hillside and heading southeast and steeply up.

We made our way up hot and tired, to arrive on the top among the paragliders and their owners who were attempting to launch themselves into the almost cloudless sky. Like us, it seemed that they had already had the best of the day so we didn't get to see any spectacular take-offs. So, leaving the would-be aeronauts behind us we followed the South Downs Way northwest for the last half-mile back to the car park.

It was still hot hot hot, but we'd enjoyed a beautiful walk across open Downland, and along cow parsley-lined tracks, river banks, and shady sunken paths, as well as in and out of the tea shop garden.

Thanks to Beth for her photos.

Wednesday April 30, 2008: 9.25 miles, approx 360m ascent (Map: OS Explorer 123)

The morning off started unpromisingly as expected, but by 10 the showers seemed to be abating so I stuck to my plan for the day - a walk in the Downs above Berwick, Alciston, and Firle. The route I chose was an old favourite, a slight variation on the Berwick figure-of-eight walk, which I last did in December, in the fog.

I parked in the Berwick Church car park and walked through the churchyard, exiting by the gate on the eastern side. Following the perimeter round to the west, I picked up the bridleway going roughly west and then southwest to cross a byway, Comp Lane, which was originally the coach road - I guess before what is now the A27 was built. The old coach road, running between Firle and Alfriston forms the spine of this walk.

Continuing southwest, I shed my windproof husk as the sun tried to come out, and followed the bridleway zigzagging up to the top of the Downs where I joined the South Downs Way going northwest.

On top of the downs there was a stiff southeasterly blowing off the sea, and the sun was fighting with big shower-laden clouds in the diatance. I got back into the windproof for a brisk walk along the top to Firle Beacon. About a quarter mile after the beacon trig point I forked down northwest, through grassland dotted with cowslips, on the bridleway that passes Firle Plantation. Here the heavens gradually opened and I descended in a bit more than light rain, pulling out waterproofs, hats, and rucksack covers as I went, and also lunch, which I ate on the hoof (vegetable pasty - Waitrose, OK-ish). By the time I arrived down at the coach road on the edge of the Firle Estate, the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to push through the clouds again.

After going east on the coach road for a short distance, I took the first bridleway north-ish (towards Heighton Street), and then the first bridelway east-ish, passing Firle Tower and crossing the fields towards Charleston Farm about a mile away.

Charleston House was open for visitors, and so were the loos. So, after a very brief stop I made for Tilton Farm, where I continued on the bridleway as it turned southwest-ish back towards and across the coach road again. I kept going south-ish, climbing up again onto the Downs on an old sunken path. All day it had been slippery underfoot, especially on the steep north-facing slopes and I was beginning to feel the effects of this, it was harder going than usual. Nevermind though, it was alovely day and I was rewarded with bluebells along the wooded pathway, before emerging onto the open hillside, which was again scattered with cowslips.

Back on the South Downs Way I retraced my steps southeast as far as the BoPeep Car Park. After the car park I forked slightly down, just north of the South Downs Way until I picked up the footpath (not the bridleway) northwest and then north along a sunken wooded track towards the coach road south of the hamlet of Alciston. After a brief stop on the Millenium Bench at the top of the road down to Alciston, I followed the coach road back towards Berwick and retraced my path back to the church via the bridleway.

Saturday Apr 26th, 2008: 10.5 miles, approx 200m ascent (Map: OS Explorer 149)

I spent the weekend in Kent with some excellent chums (you know who you are...). Among the many treats planned for the weekend was a walk with the excellent WWINK group, perfectly timed to see the bluebells in full, spectacular flower.

This is only a brief description of the walk as Claire from WWINK has written a really good entry about the walk on her blog at http://wwink.blogspot.com/.

The walk started and finished in the village of Selling, a few miles south of Faversham. Sixteen of us, led by Jayne and Mary set off from Selling under a sunny sky.

Heading south towards Perry Wood we were soon spotting our first bluebells by the footpath, and watching lambs playing in the fields. We made our way through Perry Wood, where the woodland floor was a sea of shimmering blue, and up to the wooden pulpit tower on top of the Mount, where we were reunited with a few lost stragglers.

After admiring the view from the Mount, we continued south-ish to Shottenden, passing more lambs and some llamas on the way. From Shottenden we made our way further south and into King's Wood.

Again, the bluebells were spectacular, with scattered wood anenomes, and occasional clusters of primroses by the North Downs Way. We stopped in a sunny spot in King's Wood for our lunch break, relaxing in the warm sun.

After lunch we went northwest to Molash, continuing in the same direction across the fields back to Perry Wood and more bluebells. Leaving the wood near the Rose and Crown pub we made our way back to Selling and the White Lion pub, to say goodbye to WWINK member Suz who is off on an adventure to New Zealand. A great way to end a wonderful walk.

The spring wild flowers this year are wonderful, so get out and look at them!

Thanks to El for the photos.

Sunday Apr 20th, 2008: 9 miles, approx 370m ascent (Map: OS Explorer 123)

My chum Clare had come down for a walk. I had thought about heading over to Burwash for a walk in the High Weald, but neither of us could be arsed with sitting in the car, so we decided to do something from my house instead.

We decided to walk over to Glynde from Lewes via Mount Caburn, for lunch at the Trevor Arms or the Little Cottage tea shop. Hence the title - the hill refers to the big lump of Downs that I can see from my conservatory at home, which sat between us and our lunch.

Although showers had been forecast, we set off on a sunny-ish morning, making for the footbridge over the river Ouse (known locally as Willey's Bridge), crossing towards South Malling and following the path along the river towards Cliffe. Going down Cliffe High Street (passing the church marked on the map) we continued ahead across South Street and up Chapel Hill going roughy southeast and climbing towards the golf club house (road marked as a byway on the map).

We soon warmed up and, at the top of the hill after passing the club house, we were in open Downland. After a pause to shed layers and photograph cowslips, etc, we turned east-ish on the footpath and then southeast and downhill to Oxendale Bottom. The pasture around us was dotted with clusters of young lambs and ewes, including a set of very new triplets, the newest of which was being licked clean by its mum.

Putting aside thoughts of mint sauce, we continued southeast ascending to the ridge above Glynde. After admiring the view briefly we turned southwest for the quartermile-ish detour to the earthworks of Mount Caburn, where we looked out over the Ouse flood plain below us. After retracing our steps from Mount Caburn we continued on our route on the footpath southeast and down through more fields of sheep.This path arrives in Glynde opposite the post office, which is also the location of a tea shop.

Bypassing the tea shop, we went south through Glynde to the Trevor Arms, which is just south of the station. It was a lovely warm lunchtime and so we sat outside for lunch for the first time this year (me: roast lamb; Clare: lamb chops). The food at the Trevor Arms is average, but good enough after a bit of a walk. They also had Hadlow on tap - my favourite Harvey's beer.

Heading north through Glynde after lunch, I saw my first swallow of the year and also a few bluebells. We paid a quick visit to the rather unusual 18th century church by Glynde Place and set off back to Lewes.

About 100 yards north of the church, we turned northwest onto the permitted footpath that leads back up onto the Downs. About two-thirds up this path there's a bench with a view across towards Firle Beacon, so we stopped for a breather before finishing this uphill section.

Back up on top of the downs we headed north-ish on the permitted footpath, crossing a junction of ancient sunken tracks and continung to the junction with Week Lane, which is by a concrete-lined dew pond. Here we turned southwest on a footpath and then left this on another path heading just north of west and parallel to the steep slope below us and passing north of Cliffe Hill. The sun was shining and above the slope we saw one and then three more kestrels hovering over the hillside, probably on the lookout for rabbits.

Heading towards Malling Hill, after paying too much attention to kestrels, my navigation went tits up and we ended up passing down between the two pairs of disused chalk pits before briefly joining the footpath along the bottom of the hill going roughly southwest. Leaving the footpath we continued southwest on a short road to reach the A26. Crossing the A26, we passed Sussex Police HQ, and wended our way via Church Lane and a path through the park back to Willey's bridge and home for a nice cup of tea.

Sunday Apr 13th, 2008: 10 miles, approx 300m ascent (Map: OS Explorer 123)

This was a walk for the Sussex Women's Walking Group. The route that we followed is described in detail in the walk "Ten Miles and Five Tons" from Feb 25th, 2008, so I won't give much of a description of that here. Suffice to say that this walk includes a variety of Sussex landscapes, including churches, cottages, chalk heathland, and open downland.

Having met at the Long Man car park in Wilmington, East Sussex, five of us set off in patchy sunshine with some big clouds above us. The forecast was confused to say the least, which probably put a few people off walking that day.

Crossing Wilmington churchyard past the 1600-year old yew tree, we headed over the fields via Milton to the river Cuck near Alfriston. We stayed on the east side of the river, although we did discuss the best tearoom in Alfriston - top secret... We then went east towards Lullington, and after a detour onto the edge of the downs we went down to Litlington in time for an early lunchtime drink at the Plough and Harrow.

Crossing the road outside the pub we picked up the South Downs Way going south to Charleston Bottom. The rain had stayed away, and about half a mile along the bottom we stopped for lunch on the hillside. The grass around us was dotted with tiny cowslips. Another sign of spring was that we weren't wrapped up in hats, waterproof jackets, etc, and it was warm enough to sit and enjoy the scenery for a while.

Going north through the edge of Friston Forest, the sun was shining and some of us shed our long-sleeved layers. After stopping to admire some very laid-back and handsome British White cows sunning themselves by the path, we crossed Lullington Heath Nature Reserve and joined the outh Downs Way again at Jevington Holt.

Heading northwest along the SDW, with fantastic views of the sea and inland as far as the High Weald, we made for Windover Hill (above the Long Man), where we stopped on the earthworks on of of the hill for a breather and to admire the views in the sunshine.

We took the bridleway down the side of the Long Man to join the WealdWay heading northeast to The Holt where we joined the byway heading back to Wilmington.

It had been a wonderful spring day, the weather was great. We finished the day off with a visit to the Giant's Rest pub for late afternoon refreshments and all agreed that this had been a lovely walk, possibly our best route so far with the group.

Once again, thanks to Emma for her photos of the day.

Monday Mar 31, 2008: 7.75 miles, ascent approx 440m (Map: OS Explorer 122)

Hoorah! The clocks went forward this weekend and, as I am usually at this time of year, I was looking forward to being able to get some nice walks in without having to get going too early in the morning. Now, as much as I like the mornings, sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day and it's great to be able get stuff done and then start a walk in the afternoon and not fret about when it's going to get dark!

During my break up t'north I realised that I needed to get my act together and get used to walking up hils a bit more before my trip to Scotland in a couple of months. So, with a long afternoon to spare, I planned a shortish route with a couple of good ups - or at least as good as you get in these parts.

The route was cobbled together from bits of various walks I've done over the years, including one I enjoyed as an after-work jaunt a couple of time last year with a big fat hill in it. I parked the Vauxhall Broomstick in the Jack and Jill windmills car park on the Downs above Clayton, which about a mile or so from Hassocks in West Sussex.

Heading roughly southeast, I passed New Barn Farm and crossed the South Downs Way by the golf course. Zig-zagging along in the same overall direction, about three quarters of a mile further on I turned northeast onto the Sussex Border Path. I followed this all the way up to the SDW again and then down the north side of the Downs via Burnhouse Bostal to Underhill Lane.

About a half mile of the lane (going east) brought me to the car park (not on map) at the foot of Ditchling Beacon by the Beacon road. I took the footpath south and nice and steeply up. After seeing my first wood anenomes of the year, I forked southeast through the nature reserve. After a stop for a breather and a drink on a conveniently positioned bench, I slogged on up to the SDW at 230m or so.

After a tiny dogleg (a puppyleg?) across the SDW (again), I headed south and then southeast on the bridleway to Heathy Brow and North Bottom. Continuing towards Lower Standean Farm, I piked up the track to pass to the north of the farm buildings, after which I turned north onto a footpath, climbing gradually (and feeling it) back towards the SDW (again).

Crossing my earlier tracks near Keymer Post (not on map) at the SDW, I continued down hill (north) on a bridleway, forking westwards to rejoin Underhill lane, this time going west towards Clayton. After about two-thirds of a mile of lane, I turned onto a footpath rising steeply from the road (southwest/west) to begin my climb back up to Jack and Jill. Taking the footpath that curves around the top of a chalk pit, and then the bridleway going southeast, Jack and Jill appeared above me, and after a short stop to admire the view and eat more junk food, I was back at the start of my walk.

Note to self: Do more walks with big hills in - you need the exercise!