3 men on a walk 2015: Another Lanberhurst Loop

Bewl Bridge to Lamberhurst and back

It was a perfect winter walk day. Arctic winds had been with us for a few days and so our balmy November came to a sudden end. But today the wind dropped completely and with a decent overnight frost in place the day turned out to be clear, bright and sunny but cold enough for gloves and a beanie hat - if you are Ivan that is! Todays walk was another "made up one". You know the drill by now: a) Choose the pub ; b) find a track back from it for about 6 or 7 miles and this is the starting point; c) from the pub find a trail back to where you would leave the car and hope it doesn't have too many hills on it.

So today we started at the Bridge on the south side of Bewl Water Reservoir and followed the edge of the reservoir NW and across the main dam. From here we headed out into the Weald and gently looped around to the village of Lamberhurst where "The Chequers" awaited us. This is an old favourite of ours. There is always a warm welcome from the landlady and in winter a lovely log fire in the very ancient bar room. Food is excellent too.

After lunch we picked up the trail to Kilndown Village which crosses the National Trust parkland of Scotney Castle. Once at the top of the hill it was a pleasant gentle downhill saunter back to the bridge and the car.

THere were a couple of notable things along the way today. We had a Spitfire overhead on a couple of occasions just soaring about above our heads. The sound of the Merlin Engine is unmissable. We also surprised a Woodcock which quickly flew away in front of us. On a small pond there was what I think was a Barnacle Goose and I don't think we have seen one of those before.