Date: 1st August
Where: West Hoathly
Designer: Pete F
Pub: Vinols Cross Inn
Turnout was 8 plus Thaba and two new additions: Dexter and Dizzy. They are a pair of black labradors who’ve just joined the Forman household. The walk was clockwise from Finches Field car park, 6.5 miles with 280 m of ascent.
The bulk of the walk was dry, the rain being contained to West Hoathly. There was a very light drizzle as we set off and slightly more as we arrived back. Those of us who had left coats behind were not bothered by it.
The route started through Sharpthorne, partly over the Bluebell railway tunnel. We were then in open countryside for most of the rest of the walk. We were able to take in Highbrook which had been skipped on the Ardingly walk in May. The Smokery was open, so we had a quick look in there.
On the way down the hill towards Fulling Mill Farm we saw a herd of deer. Dexter decided to have a closer look but came back eventually.
In the pub afterwards the dogs slumped by the table. This was on the route from the main bar area to the toilets but no-one seemed to mind picking their way over the obstacle course.
Route: GPX file (with .txt suffix added)
Map: PDF file (1:50k)
