Ditchling Beacon to Stanmer Down circuit, South Downs

 

The continuation of the South Downs way jigsaw puzzle saw us back at Ditchling Beacon for the next section across towards Lewis.

Parking in the National trust car park at the Beacon we headed East along the tops.

The first section was fairly flat with rounded bumps on it. Looking north to the Weald with very moody skies - it had promised to be dry with sunny intervals, but we would not see much sun today.

The new Brighton football stadium to the South, as the route continued along the ridge. 

The path dipped slightly then climbed again on the others side, passed a small coffee and drinks outlet - presumably the local farmer diversifying.

Looking South to Newhaven and the port ...  the SDW will cross the hills to the right of the port.

Passing Plumpton college below, on a wide clean gravel path, still undulating slightly.

Just before the mound that is called "black cap" the SDW turns sharp right and cuts down south beside a wooded area. In the distance you could see the windmill on a hill above Kingston near Lewis - another piece of this jigsaw will see us go past there I believe - the SDW keeps to the ridge to the south though..

The view from here looking South to the coast between Newhaven and Brighton.

We left the SDW at a junction of tracks and continued south, initially on a wide farm track, but as we curved around Balmer Huff, we cut off onto an  overgrown and hemmed ion footpath. This was the least interesting part of the walk as there was little to see beyond the hedges on each side and avoiding the nettles.

Eventually the path came out onto the road up to to St Mary's Farm, we diverted off the road into the wooded area to the right of the track, where there were some footpaths going in the same direction, and also provided a quiet spot for a short refreshment break.

There was a steep drop back down to the road, which lead onto the farm and a few parking spaces for Clay Pidgeon shooting.

We however took the track heading straight up the hill 

From the top of this very straight track we could look across to the ridge and the carpark at Ditchling Beacon. The track took a rising diagonal cut across a hay field. However before that was a slight drop and twist through the hedges.

A steep(ish) start across a cow field - for once Bertie was not interested in the widely scattered cow dung, chasing sticks was far better fun.

Rounding the top and back onto the ridge line and the SDW with a short run to the car park.

The car park had filled up since we had left, and there was even an ice-cream van making the most of the day.

Lunch in the van before heading home, another piece completed.