Newstead Abbey Circuit, Nottingham

This morning's torrential rain had given way to bright sunshine, so we chose to go for a stroll ... not as far as the last one, but more than around the local park. Lloyd chose one around Newstead Abbey, starting from a nearby village - Linby. We parked in a layby just outside the village of Papplewick and headed up the track into the woods beside a very "managed" stream.

The stream ended at a weir out of a reservoir and a sign showing the extent of the local trails. Bertie of course enjoyed the water

Coming out of the woods and crossing ploughed fields we came out onto the road leading into Linby (the same road we had parked beside). Following the footpath beside road through the village

At a small roundabout we turned 90 degrees right down the Linby trail - an old railway line - odd since it was next to a working line

A lot of conservation work was on-going, but the track was good gravel and free from most mud.

We followed this trail in a straight line until we reached the outskirts of Newstead and Annesley Country Park at an old bridge with cast iron railings.

Turning 90 degrees right (again) we cut down to the road (Station Avenue) leading to the Abbey. Again in a very straight line.

The straight road angled slightly as we got close to the abbey , end twisted slightly through some woods, before opening out to the large upper lake and views across to a large house on the far shore

The remains of the abbey and priory at the end of the lake, views across to the fort (a folly on the lake side)

We stopped off for a drink at the café before rushing around the gardens (they were due to close at 4pm and we were only just in time to get in.

The plan was to go around in such a way that we could escape out the back onto our designated track back to the van, however it seems they closed the far gate before the one we entered by and when we got there it was chained up, so we had to go out the way we came in, and walk around.

The gardens were arranged in a number of rooms and we wandered through most of them before exiting beside the priory, and the large cedar tree being abused by children despite the sign not to climb on it.

From teh front of the abbey we continued through the car park to the cricket pitch where a path led around the side and through some woods before opening onto a lane - Robin Hoods way - Another right angled turn to the right and a long straight track 

Around a gate and gatehouse, before more straigh track in the same direction that ended up at Papplewick hall

A short section on the road, until we could take a track through some grazing fields back to the end of the Papplewick trail with the weir. The final section was back along the stream to the layby and the van, keeping Bertie out of the water this time! A square route with relatively straight sides.

Lewis SDW Circuit, Lewis

It was half term and after last week's Uckfield emergency and this weekend visit to Nottingham, we decided to take a day off in the week and go for a walk. Another piece of the South Downs Way jigsaw was on the drawing board. The next section would go from Castle Hill to Black cap (to meet up with the last point we had reached) then back via the old racecourse and the Juggs lane windmill We set off for a little village south of Lewis called Kingston (near Lewis). I had spotted on "street view" what I assumed was a public car park next to a recreation ground, which turned out to be a pub one. I chanced leaving the van there instead of on the road next door, and we hurried away down the street.

The road ended in a junction of drives and paths, however we continued straight on up a chalk path, initially rising gently through the scrub bushes, before opening out onto the downs above, and a much steeper ascent, although contouring across the slope.

Now it changed and went straight up ...  luckily the steps were not too slippery, and were soon easing up as we crossed a stile. Now it was a gentler slope up to the ridge.

Looking back down to the village, windmill and outskirts of Lewis. Along the ridge to Castle Hill was a very gentle slope following the rolling ridge.

Continuing around the end of castle hill, watching a Kestrel/ falcon stalking some prey

The route up to black cap (on the skyline) starting by descending the fence line across the middle of the scene.

Dropping down a long shallow and straight ridge to the A27 and railway line 

As the fields gave way to a path through a wood before zigzagging under the railway line

Then along a path between the railway and the A27 until reaching a slip road that went up and over the dual carriageway to a farm.

A signpost pointed the way up the hill away from the A27 up the side of a field.

A slight undulation through a wood with a pause for refreshments - the wind had been quite fierce up on the tops and had followed us down to the valley ... this gave some respite.

Out the other side and another long gentle climb up towards the ridge and Black Cap. The weather had not been warm and sunny, as forecast, but rather cloudy with occasional rain showers, however it did make for spectacular moody image.

The endless climb through the crop fields is nearly completed, as the path takes a sharp right turn and heads directly for the ridge, with Black cap slightly to the right. This is where we meet our last achievement along the SDW.

Leaving the SDW and following the ridge to the trig point on Black cap.

Looking along the ridge to Lewis and around to the coast.

Following the ridge onwards towards Lewis and the beacon on Mount Harry (in the scrub)

Looking down from the beacon to the old racecourse - we would follow the main race track past the houses on a path between the course and the crop filed next to it.

A long way down the path, before turning down a steeper section on a slippy chalk path, but at least some respite from the wind. Enough to have a second stop for refreshments.

The path lead down to a farm track ..  the muddiest part of the day as it dropped down past the Houndean farm. The views across the valley showed the windmill and castle hill where we had started the day.

Crossing the A277 spur road, and down to the rail track, under the rails and then up and over the A27 once more.

Back on the south side of the dual carriageway the path climbed back up quite steeply through a horse pasture.

Picking up Juggs road above which started off as an access road and got narrower and narrower until it ended at a field gate.

Across the pasture field heading for the windmill, passing a kestrel/ falcon hunting - maybe the same as the one we had seen at the start of the walk.

Past the windmill ... it seemed to be under renovation, and then down to the village road.

We followed the road back to the pub carpark and the van. Conscious of the parking situation we quickly loaded up and left, stopping at a layby on the A27 for a final cup of coffee, and a chocolate bar before returning home. A long walk with a lot of vertical ascent