3 men on a walk 2016: April 2016

Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Bluebell country

Around the Weald in Bluebells

It was a "so-so" forecast with possibly some showers but we couldn't miss the opportunity to take this walk through Bluebell country. The season is at its peak right now and with the wild garlic adding white into the sea of blue this wonderful sight was something worth taking a walk for.

We have done this walk before and we parked up at Igtham Mote and set out along the "Greensand Way" towards another old house - Knole Park. We regularly come across sections of the Greensand Way which is a ridge of hills along the north of the Weald (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensand_Ridge ) and its pretty and steep in places. As it runs East to West, the southern ridge is very sunny and wooded - ideal conditions for our native British Bluebells. And we were not disappointed as the photos below show.

From Knole park we looped around through Godden Green to have lunch at an old favourite; the Plough at Ivy Hatch. Then onward to Shipbourne before arriving back at the car.

The 700 year old manor of Igtham Mote

Walking along the Greensand Way through Bluebells

Ivan who got his "J's" and "H's" muddled up !

Lunch stop !

Stats for the walk were...

Finished Hike: 25 Apr 2016, 15:22:36

Route: Igtham Knole loop

Weather:

temperature	9°C
humidity	82%
wind	12 mph W

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20160425-1008

Import KML Link: http://share.abvio.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Walkmeter-Hike-20160425-1008.kml

Hike Time: 3:51:01

Stopped Time: 1:18:59

Distance: 11.37 miles

Average: 2.95 mile per hr

Fastest Pace: 14:38 min/mile

Ascent: 1098

Descent: 1129

Calories: 1185

Monday, 18 April 2016

Hastings To Rye

Hastings to Rye along the Saxon Shore Path

At last a good weather day so we got up early; drove to Rye; caught the bus to Hastings and walked back to the car at Rye. Went this way partly because the wind was a bit sharp and from the west so we had our backs to it and also because the first 6 miles are a killer with very steep hills and we really didn't want to be doing this section at the end of a 12 mile hike.

The initial climb from the beach at Hastings to the top of the cliffs is a real pull and then you get some fantastic views along the coast and to the original Norman Castle The French King William of Normandy built as the base for his conquering troops after beating our King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It was at this battle that the French fired an Arrow into King Harold's eye and ever since those darn frenchies will poke us in the eye when it suits them.

Following the coast the path ups & downs steep valleys all the way to Fairlight cove and beyond. This is a very strenuous section but the views especially with the Bluebells out made it well worth the effort. Our first disappointment came when we finally reached the beach again at Pett Level and found "The Smugglers Inn" closed. Never mind, there is a cafe half-a-mile further along the path - but that was also closed. So we trudged on another 4 miles to Winchelsea beach where at last the cafe there was open and serving food all day.

We only had 4 miles left to run after lunch and most of this was across the "levels" - land that originally was under the sea but is now reclaimed via drainage channels crossing it. The trail passed the old ruin of Camber Castle, a fort built by King Henry VIII to ward off any French raiders that crossed from Calais only 21 miles away across the English Channel.

Looking Down on Hastings from the East Hill

Happy Walkers in the Sun!

The Steep coastal path

Bluebells are looking great now

More of the coast

Looking towards the beach at Pett Level

The Castle Remains

A once busy courtyard

Stats for the day were...

Finished Hike: 18 Apr 2016, 15:43:08

Route: Hastings Rye

Weather:

temperature	11°C
humidity	62%
wind	16 mph WSW

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20160418-1053

Import Link: Download KML file

Hike Time: 3:49:55

Stopped Time: 59:43

Distance: 12.32 miles

Average: 3.21 mile per hr

Fastest Pace: 14:21 min/mile

Ascent: 2045

Descent: 2067

Calories: 1290

Monday, 11 April 2016

Nutley to Sheffield Forest Loop

Sheffield Forest / Chelwood / Nutley loop

We had to postpone our planned coastal path walk because rain was scheduled from lunchtime so Ivan quickly ran out a copy of a Fancy Free walk we had done three years ago which took in the western edge of the Ashdown Forest. And right on queue it started to rain at noon!

We parked up at Furner's Green and walked North East along the edge of Sheffield Forest to Chelwood before we turned South East to loop across the Ashdown Forest to Nutley Windmill before looping back westward towards Nutley Village for our lunch stop at "The Nutley Arms". But after 7 miles of hard slog across the forest and with tongues hanging out we arrived at the hostelry only to find it shut! After beating Ivan's feet with sticks for his inept walk preparation we had no choice but to set off for the remaining 3 miles back to the car, hoping that hunger and thirst didn't strike us down before we reached it!

By this time the rain had decided it was here for the rest of the day and we got wetter and wetter as time passed by. Fortunately we had parked just a mile or so from Sheffield Park Station on the heritage "Bluebell Line" so we popped down there to their Cafe and took late refreshment before driving home.

Whether it was the overcast weather or just the time of year but we saw very little wildlife on this walk. However, the Bluebells are now showing in places although they have yet to reach the wonderful full carpet of blue that will be on us in a couple of weeks time and the Primroses are a beautiful sight.