In my own footsteps

Sunday Sept 27, 2009: Approx 2.75 miles; ascent about 100m (Map: see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks)

A rendezvous with the family for a picnic lunch and a short walk in a delightful spot in West Sussex. Harting Down a few miles SE of Petersfield and NW of Chichester is a truly lovely place. It seemed quieter than the East Sussex Downs, with less traffic noise, though on this beautiful late September Sunday it was a popular spot for walkers, picnickers, etc.

We met at the National Trust car park just of the B2141. Although we used a map of Harting Down from the National Trust http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-harting_down-wildlife_walk.pdf, we didn't follow the route described as we failed to pay attention to it! This leaflet gives instructions on getting to Harting Down,which is also on the South Downs Way. The car park costs £2 (currently) for non-members/ free to N members.

From the car park we headed roughly E along the top of the ridge, with one bit of noticable up and down - my first for some months and it felt like it! Our route took us to the trig point and monument atop beacon hill, about a mile from the car park.

The monument shows directions of various neaby hills etc and after failing to spot most of these, we stopped a few yards to the S for a leisurely lunch break, watching the housemartins flying in their dozens around us, and also seeing a lovely kestrel hovering over te slopes in front of us. The sun was out, the sky was blue and it was perfect sunbathing weather. There were a few butterflies around the nearby scrub, though most of the flowers seemed to have gone over to seed or were on their way.

Rested and replenished we returned towards the trig point and then headed roughly S/ SE on the South Downs Way for about 1/3 of a mile (to reach some houses). Here we turned sharply NW and the N, still on the SDW, first along a hedge-lined track and the just above a broad Downland bottom, to rejoin our outward route on the ridge. Following a slightly lower and more shaded track parallel to our outward path (to the N), we headed W back towards the car park and then off to tea!

Monday September 21st, 2009; approx 3 flat miles (Map OS Explorer 123)

I've been missing the downs like mad! A couple of hours gentle stroll combined with a spot of birding was needed with my mate Gail (another Monday slacker).

We parked at BoPeep car park, which is on top of the Downs above BoPeep farm and quarry. It is reached by turning N off the A27 near the village of Selmeston, which is a few miles NW of Alfriston in East Sussex.

We opted for a simple out and back along a bridleway SW and then S from the carpark. This path takes in open downland with great views of the sea and well as an old trackway with hedgerow and scrub the lovely views into the downland bottom below. The sky was almost clear of cloud with a bit of a S/SW breeze. The light was lovely, long shadows and a slight golden tint as the afternoon lengthened.

We saw a few wheatears not far from th car park, probably waiting for a more favourable wind direction for thier channel crossing. Swallows and housemartins were on their way south as well, flitting over the grass, eeding themselves up for the jorney ahead. A kestrel out hunting, a buzzard being mobbed by crows, and lots of long-tailed tits also contributed to a lovely afternoon, as did some lovely small but delicious blackberries.

No new walks since June??

Well no, I'm afraid. Although Slovenia was wonderful, a slight niggle in my knee got worse and worse as the week went on. Maybe I should have stopped walking sooner, but the scenery was so wonderful.

Anyway things didn't improve when I got back, so no long walks, some physio and lots of exercises to hopefully fix things. I'm being good, doing my exercises every day and things have improved somewhat (but not enough yet). I'll be doing the odd couple of miles now and again (entry for today to follow), but that's going to be all for a while yet I think. In the meantime I'm having lessons to improve my swimming, doing what I can in the gym, and birdwatching to help with my craving for the outdors.

Have some great walks for me. I'm sure I'll be back on track soon enough!