3 men on a walk 2015: September 2015

Monday, 28 September 2015

Ashurst - Penshurst loop

Ashurst to the Leicester Arms loop

We have walked all the main "trails" around Kent and Sussex and so Ivan sat down and plotted this walk using the smaller local footpaths. And being Ivan he ensured that we would find refreshment on-route. The smaller pathways are not always marked very well and we did have a couple of double-backs to keep to the route but thankfully, with the GPS we rarely go more than a few hundred yards before we realise we are deviating.

Last week we were drowned to within an inch of our lives but this being the good old UK where the weather changes by the hour we walked today in wonderful sunshine and short sleeve shirts.

We parked up at Ashurst and walked up across the hill to pick up "The Wealdway" path which took us to Fordcombe. From there we dropped down to the River Medway at Poundsbridge and followed it to Penshurst where we lunched at "The Leicester Arms" a fine medieval inn.

After lunch we climbed up over the hills that separate the River Eden from the Medway to reach Chiddingstone Hoath. From here we turned South until we hit the Sussex Border Path at Kent water and following this trail all the way back to Ashurst. As we approached the village we saw two Red Kite's soaring across the valley and assuming we are correct (we have seen them once before last year) then its likely that they are now colonising the Ashdown forest which would be wonderful.

Wonderful views in great Autumn weather

Looking across the Weald

Short Sleeve time again!

Penshurst village from the Medway valley

Stats for the walk were ...

Finished Hike: 28 Sep 2015, 16:04:33

Route: Ashurst Penshurst loop

Weather:

temperature	16°C
humidity	94%
wind	6 mph NE

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20150928-0950

Import Link: Download Google KML file

Hike Time: 4:17:32

Stopped Time: 1:14:48

Distance: 12.75 miles

Average: 2.97 mile per hour

Fastest Pace: 15:20 min/mile

Ascent: 1933

Descent: 1988

Calories: 1335

Monday, 21 September 2015

Sussex Border Path - job done

Sussex Border Path - Haywards Heath to Patcham

This was the last section of the track and we wanted to get it done and out the way. To be honest it was probably not the best day to do this walk but as we had been dogged by poor weather right the way through this summer Ivan thought we should just complete it and then be rid of it. The forecast was for "Light Rain" to set in about 1-00pm but as our journey to the start would take till 10-30 and the 12 mile trek would take another 4 hours it was pretty clear we would end up wet - and wet we were!

We parked up at Patcham just behind the "Black Lion" pub and caught a bus to Haywards Heath. Then setting out southwards, we had about 2 miles of road and cross country walking to reach the Sussex Border Path trail. The day was warm but we could see cloud closing in. Showers started around noon but at that time we were in heavy woodland and so were relatively unaffected by the showers.

Not so an hour later when out in the open the full force of rain and strong headwinds forced the wet weather gear on and we trudged on, heads down against the wind and blinding rain. The only stop available to us on the trail was the "Bull" in the village of Ditchling. However we were by now very wet and the pub looked "posh" so we decided to push on and use the Black Lion at the end of the walk to refresh ourselves. There was another good reason for not stopping at the Bull and that was because Ditchling nestles under the very steepest part of the South Downs. As soon as we left the village the climb started and it was probably the last thing we needed after a lunch stop as the rain and wind was enough to contend with.

The climb up the north face of the downs was indeed a challenge. The wind got stronger with each foot of climb and the rain was really pelting down. It took us the best part of 45 mins to reach the top but from here we had a long and gentle downhill run back down to Patcham. Three very wet and bedraggled walkers were just delighted to be sitting enjoying a drink in the bar of the Black Lion and glad that the Sussex Border Path was well and truly conquered.

Through the Sussex woodland

Wet gear on boys!

Leaving Dichling Village. Who put that hill in our way

Halfway up!

Stats for the day were ...

Finished Hike: 21 Sep 2015, 17:31:13

Route: Haywards Heath to Patcham

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20150921-1034

Import Link:Google KML download link

Hike Time: 3:59:55

Stopped Time: 27:37

Distance: 12.63 miles

Average: 3.16 mile per hour

Fastest Pace: 13:42 min/mile

Ascent: 1403

Descent: 1500

Calories: 1334

Wednesday, 2 September 2015

Jevington - East Dean loop

Jevington; through Friston Forest and up onto the Seven Sisters

We pinched this walk from our friends at the Fancy Free Walks site and it was an excellent choice. The day was bright but showers were forecast from 2-00pm and would you believe it, at exactly 2-00pm rain drops started falling on our head! Still it was such a light shower and it passed so quickly that we hardly noticed.

We know this area well but its such an amazing section of the South Downs that no matter how many times you walk the area the beauty still hits home. This walk had us parking up at the very pretty village of Jevington nestled in a steep valley. All the houses like many villages in this area are all built from Flint Stones. We had a steep pull up the hill out of the village and at the top we entered Friston Forest and the path wound slowly down hill and into the very attractive hamlet of West Dean. From here it was up and over another hill to reach Exceat and the path along the River Cuckmere towards its mouth at Cuckmere Haven.

We have walked this section many times as it leads up to the Seven Sisters cliff tops and on a bright day like today you could almost (legs permitting) keep walk it back and forth the views are so breathtaking. The trail took us across the Seven Sisters and almost to Birling Gap (we resisted the urge to grab a bacon sandwich at the cafe there) before turning north up West Hill and then down into East Dean where our lunch stop was at "The Tiger Inn". This is an exceptionally pretty village and the pub and houses border the village green. The only drawback that on a beautiful day like today we were not the only people wishing to take refreshment and whilst we stopped for a pint (it would be rude not to after all) the food order waiting time was beyond 30 mins, so we nipped across the green to a local cafe for food.

More hills after lunch as we had the long pull back up to Friston Forest and then down into Jevington and the car.