3 men on a walk 2015: July 2015

Monday, 27 July 2015

Up and over the South Downs Way

The South Downs way from Patcham

Decisions; decisions; decisions ! The original plan was to walk a 15 mile section of the Sussex Border Path but currently the English Summer - isn't. The several long days of rain was forecast to finish this Monday but leaving showers, cold temperatures, gale force winds and probably VERY WET LONG GRASS - our new worst enemy after the walk a couple of weeks ago. So at the last minute we made a switch to the South Downs where we know the grass is short and the chalky upland soaks up the rain like a sponge.

The plan was to walk from Falmer up the South Downs Way westward and then turn down the Sussex Border Path to Patcham at the north edge of Brighton - a nice 10 mile hike that ends at a pub. But when we saw the morning forecast for the strength of the wind it took us no time at all to switch the direction of the hike and start at Patcham and walk eastward to Falmer - and in hindsight this was an excellent decision because we were literally blown up some of the hills and the squally showers hit our backs and not our faces.

Despite the odd shower, the views from up on the South Downs are wonderful and the open countryside is just a joy to walk out on. And there was just enough sunshine helped by the strong wind to dry us out quickly between the showers.

The switch of direction meant we had left the car at Falmer which has no pub so yet another excellent decision led us to Lewes and an old favourite - The John Harvey Pub right across the road from the Brewery! Result.

Stats for the day were...

Finished Hike: 27 Jul 2015 13:48:29

Route: Patcham - Falmer

weather:

temperature	18°C
humidity	83%
wind	20 mph WSW

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20150727-1037

Import Link: Google KML file download

Hike Time: 2:58:58

Stopped Time: 11:42

Distance: 9.59 miles

Average: 3.21 mile per hour

Fastest Pace: 14:53 min/mile

Ascent: 884

Descent: 928

Calories: 981

Monday, 20 July 2015

Cowden to Copthorne Common

Cowden to Copthorne Common along the Sussex Border Path

Complacency gave us a slap this week. I had printed the detailed route maps for this walk earlier in the week but then forgot them. Never mind, we had the route on the Garmin GPS - only to find the batteries hadn't been charged up from last week so it wouldn't boot up. Never mind, I always keep a spare set of batteries in the walk bag - but were they there, nope! So we set out from Cowden with no navigational aids at all other than hopefully, way markers from time to time. So we had to rely on our Boy Scout training - using the sun, but it was cloudy and looking to see what side of the trees the moss grew on. Actually, Ivan said he had found the Girl Guides more informative until they discovered him and kicked him out!

Anyway, with a bit of luck we made the first 7 miles to East Grinstead with only minor errors and then batteries were purchased and once more we had that marvel of the walkers age - GPS. We also stopped for lunch in the town at The Ounce and Ivy Bush situated in the town cinema. Not our usual quaint country retreat but OK all the same.

The walk was "OK" with weather "OK". The trail was a mixture of open country and woodland up until East Grinstead and then it followed an old railway line - The Worth way (see Wikipedia link ) which makes for easy walking but very un-interesting scenery. We finally turned of the Worth way to head north to reach Copthorne common and catch a bus back to the car. There was no rain but very high humidity made it feel damp for most of the day.

I guess the amazing thing about this walk was that it was mostly in peaceful countryside yet took us through one of the most populated parts of the UK and only a few miles from Gatwick Airport.

Out on the trail!

Our unusual lunch stop

This was the longest walk, by just over a mile, of THIS year although our 2015 expeditions have lagged far below the energetic ones of last year. Maybe we are just getting older!

Stats for the walk were...

Finished Hike: 20 Jul 2015 15:38:04

Route: SBP Cowden to Copthorne
Weather:

temperature	19°C
humidity	94%
wind	6 mph SSE

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20150720-0949

Import Link: Google KML link

Hike Time: 4:18:15

Stopped Time: 1:30:16

Distance: 13.66 miles

Average: 3.15 mile per hour

Fastest Pace: 13:50 min/mile

Ascent: 1955

Descent: 1890

Calories: 1422

Monday, 13 July 2015

Northiam to Rye

Northiam to Rye along the Sussex Border Path

We drove in rain to reach Northiam where we finished last week but with fingers crossed we might get a rain free day by 10-00am when we would start walking. The forecast was for a very "heavy" day with low cloud and almost 100% humidity - a far cry from last week!

Setting out with a spring in our step we very soon lost that! This section turned out to be very difficult with the trail uncleared in many places and bastard farmers who ran crops right over the top of the foot path. So the long grass and crops which were wet with the overnight and early morning rain soaked us as we pushed through them. Everything from our thighs (well in Ivan's case his chest!) got soaking wet and even the "waterproof" walking boots were soon squelching. It was also very tiring on the legs.

Even when we reached the River Rother which was to provide the last 6 or 7 miles of the trail it was still overgrown in places. So overall the day was not good; the weather was only just passable; and our progress in parts was very difficult. To add insult to injury, there was NO PUB on the trail! Our plan had been to get to Rye by 2-30pm latest and take sustenance there. But in the end we arrived at 3-15 and the bus we had to get to take us back to Northiam left at 3-30!

None of us could remember a more difficult walk so lets hope that this one was just an oddball.

Wild animals approaching through the under-growth

A pretty Piggy

Looking across the Sussex Levels

More long grass alongside the river

Nice farmers keep the trail clear through the crops

Stats for the day were...

Finished Hike: 13 Jul 2015 15:06:43

Route: Northiam to Rye SBP
Weather:

temperature	18°C
humidity	100%
wind	15 mph SW

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20150713-1023

Import Link: Import Google Earth file

Hike Time: 3:53:00

Stopped Time: 50:27

Distance: 11.79 miles

Average: 3.03 mile per hour

Fastest Pace: 14:24 min/mile

Ascent: 154

Descent: 327

Calories: 1172

Monday, 6 July 2015

Sussex Border Path Northiam to Hawkhurst

Northiam back to Hawkhurst along the SBP

Holidays have disrupted the walk schedule recently and this was our first Monday walk for 4 weeks. So with the legs out of condition (not to mention the tummies!) we thought a nice 8 mile section of the Sussex Border Path was in order. Also, this would then take us to within one final leg next week to complete the eastern part of our nominated summer walk this year.

The weather looked excellent and so we met up at Hawkhurst, left one car there, then drove onto Northiam to pick up the trail back to Hawkhurst. This was a very pretty section and with the fields full of crops and the trees in full leaf it really was a wonderful piece of countryside that we walked through.

The route took us past Bodiam Castle and whenever you see this marvellous structure built in 1385 it looks amazing. The UK has lots of castles but this one with its full moat, draw-bridge and surviving turrets takes some beating.

Leaving Bodiam, the trail continued across the rolling Weald countryside until we hit "The Moor" which is a tiny village just south of Hawkhurst. This was the end of the trail - or rather "The Eight Bells" pub situated on the green of the village was the end - as we enjoyed our refreshment before driving home.