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