The day started off with heavy rain, and I though we were in for a
miserable day, however around 10am it cleared up and the sun came out. Keen
not to miss out Bertie and I went for a walk on Chanctonbury Down. We parked
in the Weston estate car park just outside Washington (where we had been
before), after negotiating a number of tree work stoppages on the way across.
The car park was empty when we arrived, and set off up the farm track following
the South Downs Way (SDW).
climbing up the track as it curved up to the skyline away from the north side of
the ridge.
Looking south over the top towards Cissbury ring and the coast.
We left the SDW and took a track down the gentle slopes, heading towards
Blackpatch hill over the valley from Cissbury.
Before we got too close to the A24 we turned left along the farm drive towards
Pest house, cutting up through some horse fields slightly before.
Beside the cottages the path became rather boggy as we climbed back up the
shoulder and alongside a grass field.
Across a track and into a large field with training jumps and a long gallop
ring, before coming out at the car park beside Nepcote green (we had parked here
before to walk up to Cissbury). Then up the lane slightly before we could pick
up a path to the side.
Along the path (part of the Monarch's Way), we climbed up between fenced off
fields
Looking East over the undulations
A drop down to the ubiquitously named "No Mans Land", before climbing up the
other side.
A steady climb up the track to meet the SDW once again at the top of the
slope.
The clouds were blowing over and we met a strong wind as we turned back along
the SDW, though the sun and clouds made interesting patterns over Cissbury.
The blue skies belied the fact that we had just come through a sleet storm and
the wind was continuing to blast us. The SDW winds over the undulations on the
ridge heading towards Chanctonbury Ring.
Approaching the ring, and we dived inside for a break from the wind and a snack
before the final descent.
Across to the trig point and down through a grass field and the dissused quarry beyond (steep, slippy chalk paths!)
Picking up the farm track back to the car park and our late lunch.
