I had somehow tweaked my back yesterday and needed to exercise and see
if it would ease. The weather was muggy under a cloudy sky, so I planned a
route that would take in wooded areas especially at the end of the walk after
teh morning haze had gone. The aim was to park at one of the car parks around
Stanmer park, then head over towards the west and up to the Chattri war
memorial. From the memorial continuing up to the SDW on the ridge, then along
the SDW to the east passing Ditchling Beacon until the junction at Streathill
farm. Turning south and dropping past Stanmer down and into the park,
following the edge past the university, across the driveway and up the other
side back to the car park.
We parked in the upper lodges car park, then I spent 10 mins trying to get the
app working to pay for it. Then we set out across the fields next door. A slight
error meant we missed the entrance to the lane alongside the A27 and stayed in
the field, hopping over the fence as we neared the end.
Since my map had been published the local authority had negotiated open access
for the the fields around the traveller site, so we could cut the corner off and
head across the fields towards the Chattri memorial path. WE could see the
memorial on the next ridge so navigation was not an issue.
Up to the ridge opposite through grazing fields, joining the path coming up from
Patcham. The path continued past the memorial.
Slightly less steep now following the ridge up to the SDW at the top passing
through a number of wheat fields.
Up on the SDW looking first from where we have come and around to the west
then from the east and back to the south.
Heading along the SDW on the edge of the downs with Ditchling beacon in the
distance. Bertie had to go and inspect each and every dew pond as we passed
them
Up to Ditching beacon, with the trig point hiding in the grass
Over the road and onwards along the SDW. Bertie warily rushing past the cows.
Across Home Brow and Western Brow, until we reached the driveway for Streathill
farm. Last time we were here there was a mobile coffee van,
Turning down past the farm and into the fields beyond following the slope over
into a winding dip.
Dropping into the dip, and following the winding bottom to teh edge of Stanmer
Park.
At the park we followed a chalk path that climbed into the woods - the end of
the wide views as we were constrained by the trees. All the paths were
signposted and well used.
A dew pond hidden in the trees was discovered by Bertie, then we continued on
the circumference track.
A very brief view down to the manor house, before continuing in the trees.
At the end of the woods we dropped through a field to the edge of the university
and the manor driveway. Across the road and up the field on the other
side.
Then back into the woods, very similar to the other side, however there were a
number of specimen trees visible on this side, mainly on the house side, rather than the A27.
Turning back north and away from the A27, the woods changed to beech with little undergrowth. Then back to the car park and the warm car waiting.
