Hastings - "Very Hilly”

Another Sunday walk, and my second with the Brighton and Hove Ramblers. Again, there was a choice of walks and I joined the 20-30s group on what was described as a "Very Hilly" circular walk along the coast from Hastings. As the meeting point was Brighton Station I decided to leave the car at home and make my way to Brighton by train. Consequently, I feel even "greener" and worthy than I usually do.

As explained would likely happen, I met a different group of walkers this week, but there were a few I had met the week before. Again, everyone was very friendly and welcoming and I enjoyed getting to know the very diverse set of 20 or so people who came along today.

We had a whole hour of chat and introductions on the train from Brighton to Hastings, as we made our way through some very pretty stations and stretches of coastline. At Hastings we were joined by a few more who'd come along by car and then set off through Hastings town centre to the start of the countryside proper.

Once we'd passed the amusement arcades and bucket and spade outlets, we reached a set of steps leading up... very up indeed. The "very hilly" billing was confirmed as we ascended a steep set of steps up to a heath, scattered with gorse bushes. It was also at this stage that a light sea mist began rolling in. Frankly, this cool mist was welcome as the coast path took a number of steep dips followed by seemingly much steeper climbs.

The sun shone through the mist periodically and revealed a millpond still sea. Breaks to catch our breath were most welcome, as was our lunch stop after the first 3 and a half miles.

We crossed through one field which contained these darling Aberdeen Angus (we think) cattle, and much joy was had from their furry legs and "darling little horns". I hasten to add that I made sure I was the other side of a sturdy metal gate when I stopped for this shot. Horns are horns and I wasn't taking any risks.

A few miles later our circular walk crossed back over familiar ground and we headed back over the heath where the view over Hastings was much improved since the mist had cleared.

We had a brief detour through winding alleyways of the old town, thanks to one of our party who lives in Hastings. Then it was back into the town centre where we settled upon a very sweet little Greek-run café where I was immediately seduced by an old-school milkshake made with ice-cream and syrup from a bottle. Note that the sugar matches the café décor... also note the use of two consecutive words with an accented 'e'.

I have enjoyed my "freebie" walks with the Brighton and Hove Ramblers very much and will be signing up as a full member this week.

See you soon, Dee.

Firle again, but not alone this time

Sooo... this week, a new campaign to expand my circle of friends has led me to look for Walking groups in the area. Through the Ramblers Association, I found a group in Brighton & Hove and dropped a line to the organiser who sent me a list of planned walks including a couple of options for today.

There were two walks scheduled; one for the main group starting at 9:30 going to Horsted Keynes (Bluebell Railway area) and one for the 20-30 group starting at 10:00 and going to Firle and Alfriston. So, having been to Firle just a few weeks ago, I rocked up at 9:30 looking to join the first walk to Horsted Keynes. The silver haired brigade took one look at me and my open-top car, smiled and said "Ah, you want the 20's lot, you're early." I was too flattered / shy to say otherwise, so I hung around for the later group.

They were much more my age bracket and after a few preliminaries, we jumped into our cars and drove to Firle to park up in the same place as I did just a few weeks ago. Once suitably booted, we headed off, led by a chap with a map in a plastic case... I knew they meant business. At the meeting point in Brighton, I had already met a very chatty lady from London who is getting to know people down here before she moves to Hove (owns 3 cats, 2 of which spray... apparently) so I continued talking to her. We stopped periodically and each time we set off, I'd latch on to a different person or little group within the party of 16 who were out today.

They were all, exclusively, very friendly, chatty and pleasant company and I had a thoroughly good time exchanging "what do you do?" stories and commenting on how beautiful Sussex is and isn't the weather nice today.

5 miles down the line, we arrived in Alfriston (perfect place to take the parents when they visit... I agree) where we decamped to various pubs, not wanting to all crowd into one and frighten the waitresses. I joined the walk leader and a couple of others and the four of us found The George which is all oak beams, "mind- the-step" and log fires. Lunch, for me, was Welsh Rarebit with added ham and a side of chips. Others laid into roasts of beef and lamb but I wasn't about to lug too much extra weight up the South Downs!

After lunch we headed for a highly recommended Chocolate shop where I tried Chocolate Ginger (delicious, bought a bag) and had my first outdoor Ice Cream of 2009... mint choc chip.

Now came the hard part of climbing up the scarp onto the South Downs Way where we'd walk along the ridge back to Firle.

Now, my many avid readers will know that last time I was in this part of the world, I met some very fashionable sheep. In the intervening time, there has been much going on and the Ewes have done what they do best in spring time.

WARNING: The following photos must only be viewed after one has warned anyone else in the house to put their fingers in their ears.

Yes, a whole field full of Litta Lambs wiv dair Mummies. They were all sleepy and very little frolicking was going on.

Sadly, despite promising to feed him and clean him, the rest of the party would not let me bring one home.

When we got back to the cars, we said our farewells, I thanked the leader for his map-reading skills and said how much I looked forward to meeting them again soon.

Oh, and best of all, I didn't get lost this week.

Sunday 23 March 2009, Burwash and Rudyard Kipling's Country Retreat

Despite waking with a headache, I vowed not to let it beat me, took some pills, got ready at leisure and chose another walk from my 50 walks in Sussex book. Based on distance to drive and that it was gone 2:00pm before I even left the house, I chose Burwash, about 30 miles away, the other side of Lewes from me. 

It was a delicious, bright clear sunny day when I arrived at my starting point not long after 3 o'clock.

With my walking stick in one hand and an apple in the other I strode down the hill into the valley in which I would find Rudyard Kipling's Sussex home "Bateman's". I'm only slightly disturbed by the fact that all the other people I saw with sticks were somewhat senior to me in years. 

You don't have to be a Nobel literature prize winner to see why Kipling enjoyed this area so much. Stunning rolling hills, traditional farm buildings and oast houses all around.

This time, I took care to make sure I followed the walk in the right direction… except I got horribly lost not far into the route. I could see where I had to get back to though, so no big deal, just a question of picking to route up somewhere further along. I think I must have walked an extra couple of miles or more in the end, but it did mean I got to see another one of John "Mad Jack" Fuller's follies. This is Brightling Needle and sadly, as there is no public access, this is as close as I got.

I'd already seen a few of them when I did a walk around the village of Brightling in 2007. Wonderful story of a rich, eccentric Englishman of the most traditional kind.

I managed to pick the footpath up again after a few miles and when I was confident I was back on track I took a break in this staggeringly pretty little valley.

The route ended with a second pass by Bateman's. Here's a shot with the sun setting. Nice gaff Rudyard.

So, a rather longer walk than I had anticipated, but fantastically tranquil and exactly what the doctor ordered on a bright Spring afternoon.

Dee

First Ramble Blog

Folks,

I'm very much enjoying Twitter, but there are times when you want to write more than 140 characters.

I like to fill my Sundays with a good walk in the country. I live on the South Coast of England (find London, head due south and just before you get wet, I'm right about there) amid the rolling hills and softly inspiring coastline so there is plenty to enjoy right on my doorstep.

So, today I had a typical Sunday, woke in time to listen to "The Archers" omnibus on BBC Radio 4 and pottered around getting ready for a stroll.

I was in two minds where to go today. I have a book of 50 walks in Sussex and am working my way through it. There was Horsted Keynes, near the Bluebell Steam Railway, but as this was the first decent sunny Sunday all year, I figured it might be a bit of a tourist trap, so instead went to Firle. Firle is not far from Lewes, just off the A27 and nestles below the South Downs escarpment. 

I parked in the free (yes FREE!) car park, and started to follow the route through the Village.

The village, as I read, is an example of a "Closed Village" which grew up on a private estate. I think this is reflected in the very substantial houses and classically English farm buildings.

The road through the village took me to the foot of the South Downs escarpment and the long, often very steep climb up.

I've slogged up the South Downs escarpment on a previous walk, so I knew what I was getting myself into. Take it steady, use my faithful stick (a piece of branch that I found beside the path on a walk 3 years ago) as extra traction, take breaks and don't overdo it.

Some way up, I stopped to take a few photos looking inland, including these featuring Firle Tower.

It was around this point that I realised I was following the route given in the

book, backwards. Too late to retrace steps now, plus it was a very simple circular walk, so no matter.

Anyhoo, I slogged on and reached the top of the South Downs ridge where I joined the South Downs Way. Heading east, I arrived at Firle Beacon which was my highest point of the day at 217 metres above sea level. There was a slight haze, but nothing too much to stop the tremendous views on offer.

I took a well-earned break here and sent a few Tweets to the world. Hard to believe that I got a connection on top of a hill like that. I had just turned my NetBook off when an oriental family arrived for a picnic (bit blowy for that if you ask me) including a girl flying a kite.

I turned back on myself at this point, heading back west and back on track (following the route backwards still). The walkers and cyclists were out in force today, just as you'd expect from the English on a sunny spring Sunday.

Also out in force were sheep. Here we see one who is taking on the 1980's revival and wearing green plastic earrings with pride... she was giving the 80's look her own twist though by accessorising the her ensemble with a great lump of bramble. Chic Sheep!

After fraternising with livestock, I arrived at a car park (so that's where the lady wearing inappropriate shoes had come from!), sent a few more Tweets and had this delicious view as I waited for pictures to upload, drank cloudy lemonade and munched on Wine Gums.

Now the easy part came, downhill back to the village. One last photo to share here. This is for my Mum. She loves doorways, so here's a lovely one.

Retracing my steps through the village, I met a couple of kids who asked me, quite politely, why I was using a stick? "Because it makes it easier to walk up hills." "No it doesn't." they giggled and scooted off. Their parting shot, I cannot deny. "You're wearing a tiny rucksack!". Ain't no denying it. I was indeed wearing a tiny rucksack. Sharp kids.

Back to the car, I put the roof down (I still can't stop myself mentioning I drive a convertible... may the novelty never wear off) and drove down to the coast to cruise back to Lancing.

The sun was setting at this point and gave me one last photo op of the day.

So, I'll end my first blog here with a picture. Thanks for reading and behold Brighton Palace Pier at sunset.

Tchau Tchau. x