3 men on a walk 2016: August 2016

Monday, 22 August 2016

Across the Pevensey Levels

Hailsham to Pevensey loop

Another great summer day but already we are seeing the days taking longer to warm up as Autumn approaches at an amazing pace. This week we thought we deserved a "Flat" walk after last weeks switch-back along the North Downs so we went down to the Pevensey Levels, an area of very low lying land that has to be cris-crossed with drainage ditched to ensure it doesn't revert back to swamp-land.

We parked up at the east edge of Hailsham, once a small market town and now a massive housing estate and quickly walked down onto the levels. We were heading for Pevensey as it was the only place on the route that had a pub for lunch! In fact it had 4 pubs but we weren't greedy and the first one we came across looked good enough to us so that's where we stopped.

The problem with walking the levels is that there are so many drainage canals all different sizes and each feeding into one another that its essential that you keep to the trails as these cross the canals on bridges. However, the maps can be out of date and some bridges collapse and others get erected and on a couple of occasions we found ourselves "trapped" and having to locate the new paths that led us through this maze. Still it was flat and there was plenty of wildlife about to keep us amused although the very strong headwind was noticeable..

We eventually arrived at Pevensey emerging from the levels directly at the Castle and guess what, all those Norman Soldiers would have been mighty thirsty and so they built a pub right opposite the main gate! So if it was good enough for those conquering French Normans back in 1066 then it was good enough for us - so that's where we stopped for lunch.

Heading back to Hailsham, we again picked our way across the drainage canals and zig-zaged our way across the fields towards the car. The weather was improving all the time and with the wind at our backs now it was a very pleasant walk back.

Typical "levels" drainage canal

Big views from the flat landscape

Lunch Stop

Those Normans knew where to site their pubs !

Trudging across the levels

Looking back to Pevensey and the castle

Stats for the day were ...

Finished Hike: 22 Aug 2016, 19:53:17

Route: Hailsham to Pevensey

Weather:

temperature	20°C
humidity	88%
wind	16 mph SW

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20160822-1016

Import Link: http://share.abvio.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Walkmeter-Hike-20160822-1016.kml

Hike Time: 4:22:48

Stopped Time: 1:15:15

Distance: 13.84 miles

Average: 3.16 mile per hr

Fastest Pace: 14:40 min/mile

Ascent: 831

Descent: 867

Calories: 1398

Monday, 15 August 2016

Box Hill Loop

Mogador to Mickleham along the North Downs Way

This was a biggy but we needed to find new horizons to walk and this walk along the North Downs seemd to fit the bill. But it turned out to be a biggy and with plenty of steep climbs and falls the old legs certainly knew they had been on a walk today.

We parked up at Mogador, a tiny village on the top of the North Downs and only a stones throw from the M25 London Circular Motorway. The weather was forecast to be hot - well for the UK that means around 25 deg C - but with a light breeze it was a perfect walk day especially as the trail dipped in and out of woodland so we got a good mix of sun and shade.

The path mostly strode along the southern edge of the Downs and along the very steep escarpment, so often the views were truly amazing across the Wold to the south.

We knew this would be a pretty long walk and the original plan was to drop down from Box Hill to a "Greasy Spoon" Bikers cafe and stuff ourselves full of cholesterol for the second half of the walk. But not having an exact position for it we turned the wrong way and once we realised this we decided to walk on into the village of Mickleham where the map showed a pub existed. This was not a bad move as it was a very nice pub (The Running Horses) in a very pretty village. But it meant that we were off plan and so had to navigate a new route back to the car which meant that the three old men had to concentrate - never a good thing after lunch!

The very long pulls up to the top of Box Hill was a killer and the map reading more demanding but the biggest disappointment was the ice cream stall we found that didn't have any ice cream! We were mighty glad to reach the car as the legs were starting to complain. This has turned out to be the longest and steepest walk of 2016 to date and it felt like it.

On the way to Box Hill

Amazing views over the Weald and Surrey Hills

At Box Hill

You never know what you might find on a walk. This guy must have loved the views as he was buried head down on top of Box Hill!

Our very nice lunch stop

The pretty village of Mickleham

Mickleham Church

Stats for the day were...

Finished Hike: 15 Aug 2016, 16:11:50

Route: Box Hill Loop

Weather:

temperature	21°C
humidity	68%
wind	9 mph ENE

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20160815-0952

Import Link: http://share.abvio.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Walkmeter-Hike-20160815-0952.kml

Hike Time: 4:39:42

Stopped Time: 1:39:30

Distance: 14.78 miles

Average: 3.16 mile per hr

Fastest Pace: 11:33 min/mile

Ascent: 2102

Descent: 2132

Calories: 1506

Monday, 8 August 2016

Up on the North Downs

Riverhead to Westerham

Ivan and I did this walk back in August 2014 without Trevor and as Ivan was needed for Babysitting duties today it was a good opportunity to walk it again with Trevor. Yet another perfect walking weather day with sun and high cloud with a decent breeze to keep us cool.

We parked up at Riverhead and picked up the Darent Way path following it northwards until we reached the bottom of the North Downs. Then there was the good pull up to the top of the downs where we met the North Downs Way which we followed westward along the escarpment for about 5 miles before dropping down and into Westerham. Lunch was at the old favourite "George and Dragon" pub before we caught the bus back to Riverhead and the car.

View across the Darent Valley

View across to Westerham

Lunch stop at the George & Dragon

Stats for the day were...

Finished Hike: 8 Aug 2016, 12:44:04

Route: Riverhead to Westerham

Weather:

Temperature	17°C
humidity	63%
wind	14 mph NW

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20160808-0920

Import Link: http://share.abvio.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Walkmeter-Hike-20160808-0920.kml

Hike Time: 3:05:55

Stopped Time: 17:30

Distance: 9.53 miles

Average: 3.07 mile per he

Fastest Pace: 9:53 min/mile

Ascent: 588

Descent: 502

Calories: 976

Monday, 1 August 2016

To the "Spotted Dog" the other way around !

Speldhurst to Penshurst clockwise this time

Ivan and I had done this loop walk 6 weeks ago but without Trevor who was occupied that day. Because we were taking the "ladies" out for the 3-Amigos summer outing this evening the boys wanted to be home early to wash their hair and polish their nails so we thought this nice 10 mile loop would be a perfect route. And just to make it interesting we would walk it the other way around!

It was a good walking day, not too hot and filtered sun through high cloud. Rain was forecast for mid afternoon so it became a little humid after lunch but generally it was a pretty walk in excellent weather.

We parked up at Speldhurst and walked the 5 miles or so to "The Spotted Dog" a favourite resting place with excellent food, beer and views from the back terrace. Then the loop back took us into the River Eden valley before the long climb back up to Speldhurst. This is a very pretty walk with great views across the Medway and Eden valleys.