Plods 2012

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)

Date: 20th June

Where: Staplefield

Designer: Pete F

Pub: The Jolly Tanners

Turnout was 12 plus Tarber, including some new faces.

The weather was kind to us, a pleasant evening with only a few stretches that were slightly muddy underfoot. We started on the green opposite the Jolly Tanners and walked 7.0 miles anti-clockwise. Some of the southern paths had featured in plods of previous years but for the most part the route was new. Although not a match for some of the other walks the vistas were generally good and it was quiet.

As we emerged back on the green at the end of the walk Morris dancing was finishing at the Victory. Fortunately they had a second session booked at the Jolly Tanners. Several of our party had not heard of Morris dancing, let alone seen it. While waiting for that to start we sat out in the fine garden drinking a good selection of ales.

Route: GPX file (with .txt suffix added)

Map: PDF file (1:50k)

Date: 23rd May

Time:18:07

Where: Southease Station

Designer: Mark L.

Pub: John Harvey Tavern

Route:

This is a one-way walk so you either need to catch the train to Southease from Gatwick (or other preferred station) or park in Lewes and catch the train from there.

About time I got round to the report….

Fortunately the train from Lewes to Seaford is designed as a connector…. therefore it waited for the London train and the people travelling down from Gatwick were able to catch it despite their late arrival. (It was also useful for Terry D. as he wasn’t as quick as Clark Kent at changing and only just caught the train…).

A few minutes late a crew of 8 made it’s way down to Southease. It was a very pleasant evening so the turnout was a tad disappointing but that’s their loss .

The first climb of the day was accomplished with ease – though there was a certain amount of trepidation as we walked with Tarber through a herd of cattle; fortunately the bull’s attention was directed elsewhere. From the top of the downs we had fine, if somewhat hazy, views before dropping down into the Glynde valley.

Across the A27 we arrived in Glynde and stopped for a well deserved pint of Harvey’s in the Trevor Arms. No one chickened out and caught the train back to Lewes so we all continued over Caburn Down towards Lewes. As Mr Zimmermann was to remark later this climb seemed to go so much more easily…

We arrived at the John Harvey Tavern in good time for their Jazz night. That and an excellent pint of Harvey’s rounded off a fine evening.

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Date: 18th April

Where: Ardingly – public car park opposite the Ardingly Inn

Designer: Andy D.

Pub: The Oak

Just a short post to get the details of this walk on the blog.

A really good turnout considering the lousy weather. After a certain amount of faffing around (which allowed DT to turn up before we left) we departed a bit later than intended. The route took us south across the old railway line then east towards Horsted Keynes. We made very slow progress due to the muddy paths and when we got to the road south of Horsted Keynes station we had to make a decision as to whether to complete the course or bail out with a more direct route back to Ardingly. As we’d been making slow progress due to the treacherous surfaces and were running somewhat later than intended it was decided to take the sensible decision and cut the route short.

We managed to get back to the Oak before dark and dried out in front of the very welcome fire in the bar area!

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Walk
Date: 9th May 2012
Where: Chelwood Gate

Location:Google Map
Parking: Red Lion Pub Car Park, please double park in the area to the right of the entrance
Designer: Steve M
Pub: Red Lion

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Report
Started out dry at the Red Lion but the going underfoot was rather damp. By the time we reached Long Car Park it was wet and windy. Tarba was not impressed when we stopped to wait for the Sewels who had a boot lace and waterproof halt. A brief halt was called at the Gorge in Chelwood Vachery for a Photo call and then on past the Nowhere bridge to Braberry ponds and back for a well earned pint at the Red Lion.

Walk
Date: 28th March 2012
Where: Wineham
Parking: Royal Oak pub car park
Designer: Ian
Pub: Royal Oak

Report

We were very lucky with the weather for the first walk of the 2012 season – blue skies and temperature above 20 degrees. Sixteen people plus Tarber took part in the walk, which started promptly at 6pm. The walk was about 4.9 miles in length, through low lying farmland in a clockwise direction. Steve M. joined us at the half way point as previously arranged, then Andy D and Tarber caught up with us shortly afterwards. The whole party then continued to the Royal Oak, arriving there just before dark for some well-earned refreshment!

Route

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Map: (1:50000 jpeg image)