Manipulating the walk postulated by the Austrian Alpine club local walk and
moved it slightly more Easterly. Also I planned to start at the Kithurst car
park, following the SDW to Chantry Post car park and then on bending south
away from the SDW. At the A280 we would pick up the Monarch's way and follow
it back west to Warningcamp, a little fiddleto reach Burpham, then up the
lanes back up to South Downs ridge and Kithurst.
We were early to the car park and had our pick of places, selecting a shady spot
under tree branches. Picking up the SDW towards Kithurst Hill.
The SDW actually bypasses the top of Kithurst Hill to the south, following the
rolling hills towards Chantry Post.
A few cars were at Chantry Post, and a significant finger post.
Once past Sullington Hill the views opened out to the north and also through the
hill tops to the windfarm out to sea at the south.
We took a path that pulled away from the SDW, and passed south of Highden
Beeches wood
Gently dropping down on a Byway, passing an adventure centre (and a number of
cars heading for a shooting session). After a driveway we transitioned onto
pasture fields heading for the A280 at the end of Church Hill
Now on the Monarch's Way - following a chalk track over the hills in a line to
the horizon. We had to pause on the rise up the last slope, whilst some cows
were moved to a different field, so we could avoid Bertie panicking too much
between the barriers of the fences.
Over the top the lane merged into a footpath, through a dip then up the other
side to meet Longfurlong lane
We crossed the lane and followed a farm driveway that ended at Myrtle-Grove farm
- diverse workshops for mower repair and ambulance works. Then a footpath
between pasture fields continued the westerly direction.
The path moved on to Corn fields, before meeting the road at Michelgrove.
We had now entered the Angmering Park estate, and into the Michelgrove park
wood.
Around a hairpin on the track and deeper into the wood - nice and shady and
cool
After a forest lodge we left the forest tracks and continued on a tarmacked,
still through the woods in a straight line.
At the end of the woods we split away from the road and dropped down a steep
slope into a pasture dell with steep sides, where we followed the bottom.
The MW path crossed into South Woodleighs wood - this was partially blocked and
a notice about Dutch Elm tree work, but it should have been completed according
to the notice. However the workmen at the other end told us off, but allowed us
to pass by and come out on the Burpham road.
In search for some water for Bertie, we cut over the fields towards the river
Arun, the tributary was dry, however ....
He sniffed out a muddy wallow and lost all the white colour, before we cut a
deeper river where he could clean up - the banks were a little steep but such
was his desire to get in he jumped.
Looking up to the village of Burpham, we climbed up the edge of a steep bank
known as Jacob's ladder. We walked along the top of the cliff and across the
playing fields. The temptation of the pub in the village was almost too much,
but we crossed through the church graveyard and up the path beyond.
Beyond the village we dropped dopwn a back road until we could turn up a chalk
farm track passing between high hedges which gave us some shade as the sun beat
down from clear skies.
The lane wound slightly as it rose gently up to the horizon.
Above us the red kites vied with the gliders for mastery of the skies.
At last the end was in sight, after a number of false summits. However we did
have to zigzag across a corn field and then up the side of the woods.
Up a slight depression alongside a small wood beside a corn field. Climbing up to the ridge line and coming out at the car park. Pausing by the car for a small picnic (as well as several other parties scattered through the car park!). Then home.
