Overcast today, but above freezing with the exception of a cold breeze. I had planned a walk around the Arlington reservoir over towards Eastbourne, by extending a route from the OS book. The idea was to park at the reservoir, then walk around the lake to Sessingham farm, then up to Upper Dicker. From here across to Michelham priory and on to Knockhatch farm. Around the adventure park and down to Wilmington wood. A circuit of the wood and back into Abbot's wood before leaving via the car park, and down to Hayreed lane. along the lane to the water works, before curving back to the reservoir. Around the reservoir and back to the car park.
Parking in the reservoir car park (low barrier and £2.50 per day) and setting off to the lake through the picnic area. Then along the circular walk around the lake clockwise.
Around the corner of the lake and climbing on the open side away from the water.
At a junction of paths following the bridleway over a field under power lines before joining a byway at Sessingham farm.
At the edge of Cuckmere river I turned into the fields before the bridge. The path was wet but not too muddy.
The path followed the river before climbing up to a cottage on a drive to Parkwood farm.
Over the drive and climbing beside park wood. This came out onto playing fields (now partially planted with trees). Eventually coming out on the road through Upper Dicker.
Through the village (past the Plough inn - where we had been to a wake the previous month), and on to the shop (set back from the road). Here I picked up the Weald way which passed down the side of the building and into the fields behind.
The path crossed the playing fields of the St Bede's school - these were sodden. Then into the paddocks behind the farm buildings belonging to Michelham Priory.
It was not possible to see the priory buildings, the old water mill or even the huge moat (behind trees). A zigzag down a farm track and into the field leading east - very cut up and sodden.
Across a final field and into Bramble Grove - a dryer wood with lots of fallen leaves.
Leaving the wood and onto a byway via a grass field. The byway (Hempstead Lane) led up to the buildings of Knock Hatch farm.
Through the car park to the adventure playground and down the driveway, until a path left into a field. This path returned down the other side of the park following the fence line.
Along the path I had views of some of the attractions, still along the boundary fence.
Final field with views of the dry ski slope, which came out on a gravel track, down to a back road.
The path followed the edge of Wilmington wood (boggy) until I could follow a forestry track into the depths of the wood. This came out the other side onto Robin Post lane - a byway.
back into the wood on the next track - this was very muddy and a couple of places needed fairy steps to get over the mud puddles.
Around a lake in the middle of the wood brought a dryer track, until it crossed the Weir at the end of the lake.
Now in Abbot's wood and on a gravel track (although it was slightly muddy in patches)
The track curved around towards the main car park
Past the car park and into the surrounding forest on smaller paths, through Placket Coppice.
The paths led to the corner of the woods and a junction of back roads. Here the path continued through a house and garden into the fields beyond.
Across the grass fields to Hayreed and a green lane of the same name. This lane bend around and zigzagged before reaching a back road above the water works.
Down the water works drive (this was back on the Weald Way), and into the fields beyond Stapley's farm.
Through the scrappy fields aiming for the church steeple at Arlington. At a hedge line I turned down to the river and over the metal bridge.
A soggy grass climb up to the dam wall and a look over the lake.
The reservoir panorama.
Along the dam passing the outlet filter, to its end at the driveway to Polhill's farm.
Around the farm buildings on a bypass, and back on the circular walk. Following this back to the car park.
