Firstly, apologies for the lack of photos of the walking - Pete and Val took the photos and are not yet home to be able to send them to me (no, they're not stuck in a snowdrift somewhere, they left us to visit their 2 sons and their families in North London!)
Secondly, thought you might all like to see the wonderful results of the fabulously talented Clatters' knitting challenge! What an absolute masterpiece! Chris was just thrilled (and surprised) when he opened the present and I have to report didn't have the jumper off his back all of Christmas! Clatters, your fame is now spread far and wide as everyone wanted to know where it came from!
Now for the walking . .
Venues: Isfield to Barcombe, and Balcombe Viaduct from Ardingly
Distances: Isfield - about 6 miles, Ardingly about 6 1/2 to 7.
Times taken: Isfield 2 1/2 hrs, Ardingly 3 hrs, including stops
Walkers: Capt & Mrs P, Pete and Val (brother and sister in law)
Weather: Both days cold, damp, but luckily we avoided most showers
On New Year's day we decided the only thing to clear the muzzy heads was to put on the walking boots and head out! We also needed to work off some of those mince pies, christmas pud, brandy butter . . . the list is endless!
We set off on one of our favourite local walks (almost the one I did with Miss Nohills and Polly Possibly, but backwards this time if you see what I mean!). It's very flat (especially designed for Miss Nohills) and pretty and follows the course of the river Ouse for much of the walk. Surprisingly, it wasn't that muddy apart from having to plough across one very sticky claggy field. Being New Year's Day there were loads of walkers out, mostly big family groups with dogs and none looking very ramblerish! We decided not to stop at the pub (the Anchor at Barcombe) as it has recently changed hands and all the reports we've heard are not good, so moved swifly on and drank instead in the best local hostelry - chez us! Much cheaper and no-one has to drive home. En route home we passed the scene of our eventful cow dunking and fortunately this time the field was devoid of cows - think they must have learned their lesson and are keeping well away from the river!
Pete and Val were keen to see Balcombe viaduct, so on Tuesday (4th) we set off for Ardingly. We parked in the village close to the church and headed off down Church road towards Balcombe reservoir. I fell in love with most of the houses on this road and have decided that if ever we move - this is where it'll be! Despite the gloomy weather the view from the top of the field was just stunning and there were flocks of Canada geese flying overhead before landing in the water. Walking around the lake we came across a beautiful young black lab taking his owner for a walk and he was so excited to see us he managed to cover all our jackets in his muddy paws! We forgave him as he was so adorable . . I then began to recognise parts of the walk from previous RARA outings - however, Capt P and bro in law had as usual taken over the map reading (once a pilot and teacher, always a pilot and teacher . . .!) so Val and I did our usual thing and carried on gassing while the boys lead the way.
The field to the viaduct was incredibly muddy so we squelched our way across feeling as if we were carrying lead in our boots! However, much ooing and aahhing under the arches and everyone was suitably impressed. We then carried on retracing previous walks (mostly) and stopped 2/3rds of way round for a little 'brew-up' with sandwiches and cake! How civilised! Mind you, once we stopped it became b....y cold so we were soon back on the road. We rejoined our original tracks back at the reservoir and headed off up the long hill to Ardingly.
The walk was voted the best so far for us locally- lovely views and scenery, interesting as it has both flat and hilly bits, the reservoir, viaduct, trains, water, views - we'll do it again in the spring or summer.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a belated Happy New Year!
See you tomorrow!
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