Friday 1 September
Walked started from car park at Seven Sisters Country Park, through woodlands of Friston Forest and across open down land to reach coast via Crowlink. Hard work from here as roller coaster climbs over 4 of the Seven Sisters which is a succession of chalk cliffs, at one point we left our mark ESSEX DEAF RAMBLE GROUP 2011 in white chalk stones on the grass. After the Seven Sisters we followed a path that offered excellent views over Cuckmere Haven and Cuckmere River, this path stayed close to river right back to car park. We had great weather, very sunny and very windy at Seven Sisters. Distance 7 miles.
Friday 2 September
Parked near Arundel Castle. Walk was a short one of just under 5 miles. Used tow path along River Arun, passing wetlands and wild fowl centre to a delighful pub, The Black Rabbit (we had meal here in evening), then on road for approx 1 mile and turned into Arundel Park, the path took us into a valley which offered excellent views of the park and some hard walking. We left park by the lodge and passed the Cathedral on our journey back. As the walk was short we had half the day left and this was spent visiting the castle, exploring the town or just relaxing as it was a lovely day. Distance 4.6 miles.
Saturday 3 September
Drove to Bosham and took route over boggy fields to reach Fishbourne then followed path by Chichester harbour waters with a stop at waterside pub Dell Quay. The walk by waterside took us to several different marinas with some lovely boats on display. At West Itchenor a ferry was required to cross over otherwise we would need to go back to where we came. The ferry was only a 9 seater boat and difficult to get hold of but we were lucky as we spotted it on the river and all rushed to get on it, on arrival on the other side Andree realised she had left her favourite jumper behind but since the ferry had gone, she regretfully accepted she had lost it and hoped who ever found it would 'lovingly' look after it. After leaving the ferry the route back to Bosham was mainly road but we had to take path near Bosham as the water from river was coming up and the road was soon underwater and would not be used. Although the walk was 10 miles it was mainly flat and with the weather still nice with sun it was very enjoyable. Distance 10 miles.
Sunday 4 September
Change in weather, dull, rain and very windy. Meet up with group from Southern Deaf Ramble so there were over 30 of us. Some of our own group came over for the day from Essex. We set off from Devil's Dyke pub following a path that offered marvellous views, when it is clear it's possible to see Isle of Wight. Following a very tricky downhill route (which may have been wrong way!) we came to village of Fulking, although not intending to stop here we were forced to as it poured with rain. Being quite close to lunch time, we decided to have lunch stop here and hope rain ease off. With only light rain falling after lunch we continued and at first the walk was mainly over fields but eventually we reached a sign 'Devils Dyke' and we all took a deep breath and got stuck into a hard climb. Everyone eventually made it to the top and made a beeline straight to the warm pub as it was feeling chilly in the strong winds. Since we had an evening meal booked at pub, we were able to chat to our Southern friends who stayed on for little while after. Distance 5.5 miles.
Monday 5 September
Since some of the group returned home on Sunday and only 6 left, we decided no walks. We paid a brief visit to Jack and Jill windmills at Clayton which offered excellent views. We then visited Lewes and spent a few hours exploring and had a look at Anne of Cloves house. We left mid afternoon for our journey home.
Our base was at Premier Inn at Burgess Hill which was excellent and restaurant next door offered a hearty breakfast and a place to relax in evening when we had quiz, cards etc.
The success of this long weekend was due to the hard work of Chrissie and Terry Greenwald who beforehand more trips down south to plan the routes and also book the Premier Inn and meals for the evenings. As special thanks to Chrissie for driving the minibus almost every day - Andree took the wheel one day - not all women drivers are rubbish!
Walkers
Chrissie & Terry Greenwald, Debbie & Ken Burgess, Valerie & Richard Willson, Marlene Rayner, Andree Illand, Ashni Kumar and Deborah van Halle.
Very special thanks to Ken Burgess for written this report :0)
Walked started from car park at Seven Sisters Country Park, through woodlands of Friston Forest and across open down land to reach coast via Crowlink. Hard work from here as roller coaster climbs over 4 of the Seven Sisters which is a succession of chalk cliffs, at one point we left our mark ESSEX DEAF RAMBLE GROUP 2011 in white chalk stones on the grass. After the Seven Sisters we followed a path that offered excellent views over Cuckmere Haven and Cuckmere River, this path stayed close to river right back to car park. We had great weather, very sunny and very windy at Seven Sisters. Distance 7 miles.
Friday 2 September
Parked near Arundel Castle. Walk was a short one of just under 5 miles. Used tow path along River Arun, passing wetlands and wild fowl centre to a delighful pub, The Black Rabbit (we had meal here in evening), then on road for approx 1 mile and turned into Arundel Park, the path took us into a valley which offered excellent views of the park and some hard walking. We left park by the lodge and passed the Cathedral on our journey back. As the walk was short we had half the day left and this was spent visiting the castle, exploring the town or just relaxing as it was a lovely day. Distance 4.6 miles.
Saturday 3 September
Drove to Bosham and took route over boggy fields to reach Fishbourne then followed path by Chichester harbour waters with a stop at waterside pub Dell Quay. The walk by waterside took us to several different marinas with some lovely boats on display. At West Itchenor a ferry was required to cross over otherwise we would need to go back to where we came. The ferry was only a 9 seater boat and difficult to get hold of but we were lucky as we spotted it on the river and all rushed to get on it, on arrival on the other side Andree realised she had left her favourite jumper behind but since the ferry had gone, she regretfully accepted she had lost it and hoped who ever found it would 'lovingly' look after it. After leaving the ferry the route back to Bosham was mainly road but we had to take path near Bosham as the water from river was coming up and the road was soon underwater and would not be used. Although the walk was 10 miles it was mainly flat and with the weather still nice with sun it was very enjoyable. Distance 10 miles.
Sunday 4 September
Change in weather, dull, rain and very windy. Meet up with group from Southern Deaf Ramble so there were over 30 of us. Some of our own group came over for the day from Essex. We set off from Devil's Dyke pub following a path that offered marvellous views, when it is clear it's possible to see Isle of Wight. Following a very tricky downhill route (which may have been wrong way!) we came to village of Fulking, although not intending to stop here we were forced to as it poured with rain. Being quite close to lunch time, we decided to have lunch stop here and hope rain ease off. With only light rain falling after lunch we continued and at first the walk was mainly over fields but eventually we reached a sign 'Devils Dyke' and we all took a deep breath and got stuck into a hard climb. Everyone eventually made it to the top and made a beeline straight to the warm pub as it was feeling chilly in the strong winds. Since we had an evening meal booked at pub, we were able to chat to our Southern friends who stayed on for little while after. Distance 5.5 miles.
Monday 5 September
Since some of the group returned home on Sunday and only 6 left, we decided no walks. We paid a brief visit to Jack and Jill windmills at Clayton which offered excellent views. We then visited Lewes and spent a few hours exploring and had a look at Anne of Cloves house. We left mid afternoon for our journey home.
Our base was at Premier Inn at Burgess Hill which was excellent and restaurant next door offered a hearty breakfast and a place to relax in evening when we had quiz, cards etc.
The success of this long weekend was due to the hard work of Chrissie and Terry Greenwald who beforehand more trips down south to plan the routes and also book the Premier Inn and meals for the evenings. As special thanks to Chrissie for driving the minibus almost every day - Andree took the wheel one day - not all women drivers are rubbish!
Walkers
Chrissie & Terry Greenwald, Debbie & Ken Burgess, Valerie & Richard Willson, Marlene Rayner, Andree Illand, Ashni Kumar and Deborah van Halle.
Very special thanks to Ken Burgess for written this report :0)