In my own footsteps

Sunday Aug 17, 2008: 9.25 miles, ascent approx 400m (Map: OS Explorer 122)

Emma liked the last walk that we did from Plumpton (see January 08, A Cracking Walk for a Blustery Day), but I didn't want to include the lower loop this time, as this wasn't the most exciting bit of the walk last time and is probably best kept for stormy days when too much walking higher up isn't a good idea (and very rare that is).

So here we were again - another outing (so to speak) for the Sussex Womens' Walking group. Six of us met at the Half Moon pub at Plumpton (on the B2116 about 2.5 miles east of Ditchling). It was a fair but breezy late morning and we set off across the B road from the pub and headed SW up Plumpton Bostal (bridleway), crossing the South Downs Way at the top of the hill and continuing SW to Streathill farm.

Passing the farm we took the footpath (not the bridleway) heading just W of S and then SW across fields to a junction with 3 bridleways. Turning SE, we took the path to St Mary's farm and continued on the bridleway (metalled driveway) to Moon's Corner, where we turned back on ourselves on the bridleway going N and the NE to Waterpit Hill, where the first outbreak of blackberry picking occurred in the party.

At the fork in the track, we took the northernmost option, heading down hill to the NW (more blackberrying) and then up again bearing N. About half a mile from the fork we stopped on the hillside for lunch (various qualities and quantities). Although it was breezy, the sun was warm and we'd chosen a lovely quiet spot in a hiiden-away valley. Posh vegetable crisps (Lori's) won hands down over Tesco's Value Cheesy Puffs (Tina's).

After our break we continued N to join the SDW, following it east to the crossroads of paths just W of Blackcap. Then followed one of my favourite bits in this area as we took the path S and then SW through Ashcombe Bottom, stopping for more blackberries and to show Emma the hazlenuts (still green and tasty). Making our way through the usual mud at the bottom of the wood, we turned W, stopping briefly at my usual place on the hillside (also more blackberry picking going on) before continuing on to cross the SDW.

We continued W and then curved SW to skirt the edge of an ancient field system, before joining the track (bridleway) going roughly N at Buckland Bank, after about a third of a mile, the SDW joins this track and we continued onwards (NE) back again to the crossroads W of Blackcap.

At the crossroads we took the track going roughly NE and down, and after a couple of hundred yards, the footpath NW and down, winding through ancient beech trees and then through wheat and barley fields, to arrive back at the B road a short distance E of the pub.

We were of course obliged to stop for refreshment having used the pub car park . Also, as the pub is now under new ownership and has been completely refurbished I was curious. Sadly they'd run out of Hophead, but a pint of Harvey's best was welcome and the menu looked yummy. One more for the pub food research programme, I think.

Thanks to the ladies for joining me on this lovely walk and to Emma of course for her photos.

Sunday Aug 10, 2008: 9.75 miles, ascent approx 400m (Map: OS Explorer 123)

Something challenging was needed as I hadn't been doing enough walking of late and also my weekend visitor is something of a mountain whippet (i.e. like a mountain goat only faster). Mary & Jayne recommended a walk from Alfriston from the excellent book Walk the South Downs (Martin Simons; Discovery Walking Guides), which they described as being "A very big 10 miles". We consulted the book and the OS map and decided to do something based on this route, but backwards, mainly because between us we'd done a lot of the route in the other direction and also because I thought it looked nicer the other way round.

It was a sunny/cloudy morning, but with a stiff SW wind blowing off the sea yet again (very much a feature of this summer). We followed the book's advice and saved 4 quid by parking on a side street away from the twee hell of downtown Alfriston. Booted up we made our way along the main drag going south. About a quarter mile from the village centre we took a footpath bearing west-ish and signposted for France Bottom.

The footpath skirts a farm and a caravan site and then follows a sweeping curve along field edges towards France Bottom. About a mie and a quarter from the road, we took the hairpin fork in the path that heads up hill and roughly E, to join a bridleway above, which we followed SW and then NW for about a mile.

As we reached the top of the hill (where it says Cross Dyke on the map) the SW breeze was strong but welcome and we turned into it and down along field edges to reach a wooded area below the next ridge. After a brief stop to put on/take off layers, have a drink, etc, we took the bridlepath NW up the steep face of the ridge to join a broad track (The Comp) at the top.

Crossing the track we both thought about lunch, but decided to do a bit more first. Our next leg took us SW again (into the wind) down into the marvllously-named Devilsrest Bottom towards the hamlet of Norton. As we neared Norton (one of us on the high track and one on the lower track), we looked out for a sheltered spot and eventually found a suitable niche on the hillside. Lunch was a picnic with a sort of Mediterranean theme (hummus, anchovies, etc) and  very welcome.

We continued to Norton and rather than take the footpath route from the book (done before - bit boring I think), we stuck with the single-track road S to Bishopstone. The breeze was salty and warm as we walked between the hedgerows, a bit like being in Cornwall I thought. After ascending through Bishopstone, we picked up a track (bridleway) going E and upwards, and where this forked (above East Blatchingdon), we took the footpath roughly NE and continuing up, above New Barn and then alongside the golf course (fortunately well hidden by hedges), inhaling the fresh sea-laden air as we went.

A mile and a half from Bishopstone we joined a bridleway N and recrossed our route on The Comp, taking the bridleway NE and down towards Blackstone Bottom. After another brief stop for layers/hydration, we started our last ascent of the day, following the Green Way Track (bridleway) up and NE above Greenway Bottom and Jerry's Bottom, to join the South Downs Way.

Turnng SE on the SDW we made our highest point for the day and continued on towards Alfriston, leaving the SDW as we arrived back in the village and making for the tea shop. Unfortunately, there was no room at the inn (or for tea) and not being able to bear the thought of an inferior establishment, we returned to the car and went back to Lewes for tea at mine instead.

A lovely day, fine walking weather (wndy though), good company, and a really great walk. This one could be a close runner up for Best Walk in Sussex.