AAC walk time once again, this time it was from Singleton, with a car
transport from Chichester station for those from London. The original aim was
to cross to Charlton then go up the West Sussex Literary Trail to the SDW,
down over Manorfarm Down to Cocking. Pub lunch then up over Cocking down back
to the SDW and a long loop around to re-emerge over Chills down and into
Singleton.
However .... The Weald and downland museum had its Christmas fair on and
parking was restricted to the Goodwood race course with none in the village
(however the parish council wrote back to say it did not apply to us). In
addition a half marathon had been arranged going down to Charlton and up to
the SDW back to the racecourse some how - this was also using the racecourse
parking.
My alternative was the trundle car park and so I drove down that way passing
the racecourse as the runners were setting off, past the parking for the
Trundle ( spaces were available) and down to Singleton. Here I parked in the
spaces at the top of the Lees (the signs just mentioned event goers, not us so
we brazened it out) never mind there were numerous free places..
Other cars were there already and we met chatting about the options and stayed
where we were and waited for the London contingent to be ferried over from
Chichester train station. The morning had been very frosty (-2deg at home) and
so layers were put on, while Bertie and I settled into second breakfast.
The remainder arrived and 12 of us + Bertie set out through the village. A last
minute change (to avoid the runners) had reversed the route. Over the A286 and
through the playing fields.
beyond the playing fields we crossed a field and joined a hedge lined track that
climbed up to the dismantled railway that used to join Chichester to Midhust and
beyond. Over the railway and a steep climb up Holly Hat hill
The climb gradually lessened as we went over the top, before going along the
side of a turnip field.
A Puttock's copse we took the field option (you can stay in the trees or go
through the field beside it) as it was in the sun. They both meet again at the
farm track leading to a back road.
The back road goes through Colworth farm and then continues as a farm track down
the hill passing Colworth barn and into West Dean woods. In these woods we
followed the Bridleway as it climbed past the charcoal making site to a multiple
cross roads. A pause for coffee break here before continuing through the woods
climbing up towards the south downs ridge.
Escaping from the woods (and the heavily churned up track from the logging
machinery)we followed a dog leg to come out onto the SDW. There was a hunt going
on in the distance - I guess it was on the West dean forest and fields.
We followed the SDW East onto Cocking Down before picking up the path descending
towards the village of the same name across fields. Bertie found a water trough
that needed the ice breaking so he could drink!
Down at Crypt farm we joined the driveway as it meandered into the village -
along side was a chalk stream and pond. In the village we took a very small
diversion to the see the "history column" - a jubilee celebration bronze column
and scroll showing the history of the village.
Pub stop in the Bluebell Inn (a local community owned and operated) It was after
2pm before the food arrived so we had to rush to get going afterwards. Down a
lane on the other side of the A286, then taking the second path of to the
side
The path took us across a grass field gently rising to the base of the downs,
then more steeply up the side of a ploughed field. At the end of the field the
path moved into the woods.
Climbing steeply in the woods to come out on the fields leading up more gently
to the ridge at Manorfarm down. We crossed the fields to meet up again with the
SDW.
The sun was now visibly sinking so we cut the section along the SDW to the West
Sussex Literary Trail, and headed down the south side of the ridge through
Charlton forest. The sun was setting over the horizon when we reached the path
junction above Broadham House.
A last climb up the back side of Levin Down watching the sunsetting - this was a
cow field, but they were not interested in us or Bertie.
Around the end of Levin Down on the horizon was the isle of Wight - difficult to
see in the picture. On the other side the moon was up and shining.
Ahead on the skyline was the Goodwood race course as well as an artistic tree.
We dropped down the side of the hill that curved around then down to the village of Singleton. This path came out beside the school and opposite the place where we had parked the vehicles. It was still light enough to walk, but was quickly getting dark. By the time I was home it was completely dark.
