Copthorne - The Hedgehog

Triple Action!

Tuesday 25th January - Burrrrrrns Night

Walkers: Windy, Lil and Clat - hence the title. No-one else could make it, due to various reasons, but we soldiered on.
Distance: 23 miles

Find of the walk: a green plastic chair, as modelled by Clat.

It didn't take long for us lot to assemble and set off. Clat is wearing her gaiters the right-way round, but is not used to reversing into them, which is the right-way round to do it.

We turned left along the main road, until we came to a barking hedge on a corner. Windy identified it as alsatian, and we turned left here, and down a 'metalled track'. We continued southwards and on to the Sussex Border Path. It was very muddy, with drifts of leaves, giving evidence of flooding, and there was still a lot of water flowing about.

However, at one point, a 4-wheel drive car was bearing down towards us - and with nowhere to go, we thought that at the very least, it would slow down as it passed - wrong! We were wetted - right up the back of Wind's gaiters too. Sorry to say, it was a male driver, who no doubt found the episode very funny. We hope he used his rear-view mirror as Windy very kindly gave him a digital salute.

She was also sporting her stick supplied by Farty - in true majorette style, and swirled and whirled her way up and down the paths - a true artiste in the making. - cirque de soleil next then?

Further along, and after a right turn, we came to a halt near some horses and had our break, where Windy found the find. Clat broke off into the bushes via a fly-tipping site - heading to a fly-zipping site for privacy. On her return, she was told she looked like a character from World War I coming ' over the top'.

The horses tried to make contact, thinking we had food in our pockets, but we'd just eaten it. A little while later, Windy discovered she'd left her stick behind so a hurried re-tread was performed. Therefore , she walked 23 1/2 miles.

On to Old Rowfant, past the Mill Pond and a left turn to Ley house, and southwards. We joined up with the SBP again, and another left turn, brought us to a dis-used railway , complete with old station house, and, alarmingly, an elephant crawling out of the woodwork. A little further along, different and not very friendly signage had been created with a rubber glove - 'what next'? we exclaimed.

Before reaching the road, we found a pond full of watercress. Clat did a tasting, to confirm it was this peppery salad leaf, and then Lil pointed to the large outlet pipe, and wondered how long it would be, before a keeling-over might occur- or, a bit of a blue glow. It didn't , thankfully, and on we went to Rowfant House - home for confused? perfect for us then. We got a bit lost here, but some nicer signage got us on the homeward path, and on to lunchly delights. Clat has been using her camera, but it will be a miracle if she gets them loaded ok.

We were welcomed in the pub, and had brilliant value for money - two mains for £10, although soup not recommended. The staff were friendly, and chatty, and showered us with more vouchers for Feb and March - we have to go back there soon!!!

Folks,, N.B. next week, the walk will be on WEDNESDAY 2 FEB; so we hope you remember, and can make it for our perambulations.