Plods 2008

Next (and probably final plod of 2008)
Date: 1st October 2008
Time: 5:15pm for a 5:30 start
Diatance: 7.5km
Parking: On the road outside the Pub
Pub: Red Lion

Report 

Amost all arrived early and we left promply at 5:30 passing though some nice ancient woodland on the way to the Worth Way (old Railway). On the nortern loop we met one man and his dog coming the other way, Andy and Tarba had arrived just after we left and followed us most of the eay but then went round the otherway at Rowfant. Then back to the Worth Way at Rowfant station and met Andy & Tarba for the return through Tulleys farm.  The Red Lion was reached without resort to torches and the fruits of Lewes were consumed.

Date: 20th August 2008
Time: 5:45pm
Distance: 10.4Km
Parking: at the pub or on the street in Cowden
Pub: The
Fountain

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=TN8+7JG&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=51.14411,0.092327&spn=0.00316,0.006925&t=h&z=18

A walk in the High Weald taking in an Iron age Hill fort and sites of old Iron works

rename to .gpx

Certainly the car I was in was travelling slightly underprepared compared to Gomshall. This time we headed south on M23 / A23 before realising, (a) we didn’t know where we were going (b) both a GPS and our only map were in the boot.
Miraculously we arrived at The Plough in time for a pint of Harveys.
Birthday boy Mark led us up Wolstonbury Hill where a clear evening led to extensive views, heated debate as to the exact position of Burgess Hill, the Leith Hill / North Downs debate and even woke the InTouch on-call phone from peaceful slumber.

West down the hill and then across the flatlands towards, Poynings where we enjoyed the quintessential English village sound of leather on willow. The pub looked good as well so don’t be surprised if we return.
A short, sharp, shock climb led us up The South Downs but, again, blessed us with spectacular views and, most importantly, a pint of Timmy Taylor’s at The Devils Dyke Pub. I’m glad to report that the temptation to get the bus back down into Brighton was resisted by all and sundry.
Homeward bound past Devils Dyke, through Saddlescombe and over Cow Down, a hot air balloon joining us along the way. The lagging Neill and Roy found a controversial short-cut across the A23 to summit at The Plough bar first. (Conversation in central reservation; Neill: Is this legal? Roy: Well, it’s not a motorway.)
I know we’re not finished yet, but gets my vote for Plod Of The Year. Great views, challenging climb, a pub half way round and it started a flurry of internet research into both conventional and funicular railways.

Date: 25th June 2008
Time: 5:30pm
Parking: Ardingly Reservoir, TQ 33523 28675 (WGS84)
Pub: Apres-walk watering-hole to be determined

Summary:-

A Roy Carter Special. An exploration of the natural and industrial history of the Ardingly area affording spectacular views of the Ouse Valley Viaduct. Followed a few pints and some crisps.

Map in PDF format:-

GPS Route for technophiles (and people who don’t trust Roy’s map-reading):-

Meet near the Frankland Arms There should be some roadside parking
W 0.40499896 N 50.90456208
E 512251 N 112908

Dave Tilling could not make it but did volunteer this write up:-
Someone was late- we got going, we got lost, we
found the way again, Bradlg faffed, someone else fell over , we got to the pub
and all was well.

Well almost correct! Most cars left from Victory house on time and arrived in Washington and parked with time to spare, since it was a nice afternoon and there was a Pub garden opposite it seemed foolish not to take advantage while waiting for the rest of the group. Pizzas were ordered as an incentive to get back on time! However due to traffic problems on the A23 Andy and family were not able to join us so off across the fields we went. Once the accent up Chanctonbury was started Neill showed his prowess at hill climbing as was soon waiting for the rest at the top. After a brief rest Neill followed the unofficial path round the North side while the rest went the normal way along the South Downs path. Soon Cissbury was reached and a bonus Trig point. Steve & Neill went off to locate a Geocache which was found hidden in brambles. The return leg involved a long climb back upto the summit of the ridge west of Chanctonbury and then a descent in the gathering gloom through he woods an back to the promised Pizzas at the Frankland arms.

14th May
After a bit of a faff due to parking in 2 different locations we header off almost following the planned route towards Sharpthorne then away accross the field to follow the Bluebell railway to Horsted Keynes. After crossing the railway we found a Geocache and proved they do exist.
Past Ardingly and on to the woods between Wakehurst and Philpots but failed to spot the ‘Large upon little’ stone feature.

30th April
All met by the Church in Slaugham on a dismal evening with promise rain. Headed South to Warniglid and across the A23 . Completed the Carter collection when Roys brother joined us on the walk towards Staplefield. Prevented a delay by aborting a breakway to the Pub and continued to the lakes below Nymans Gardens then back across the A23 at Handcross and a return to Slaugham and a welcome refeshment at the pub.

9th April
Started in the Carpark at Forest Row, most people turned up on time and we welcomed some new recruits including Roy, Andy & Pete. Headed out past the Golf Corse then then over the A22 into the wilds of Ashdown Forest. Roy-in-blue went his own way but we all emerged on the other side to cross priory lane and dropped down to the Pale. We were luckier than deer in the past and were able to escape from the forest and soon had a view of Weir Wood reservoir. On the way down Steve had a look for a Geocache but in plodding tradition it was ellusive. Passing Brambletye ruins the pace was stepped up as the light was dimming and the Chequers beckoning.