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.