Walkers: 8 legs, the soon-to-be Mrs John Randall (more later....) & Mrs P
Weather: Perfect walking weather, dry, cloudy and neither too warm or cold
Distance: 6 miles
Time taken: 3 hours to include a few diversions en route ....
Find of the walk: nothing to report I'm afraid - in this part of East Sussex people seem less inclined to part with items of underwear!
As the more northerly members of the RARAS were unavailable for walking duties this week, us more southerly/provincial members convened in Newick - and started at 10 am instead as none of us had a long journey.
We came out onto the lane in the hamlet of Sharpsbridge and then crossed the river Ouse - at the side of the road was a raised path known as Clapper Bridge which is for the use of pedestrians when the road floods - fortunately not needed today! We stopped briefly for yours truly, Mrs P, to have a gander at a house that we had looked at buying many years ago when it was in need of much TLC. Although it now looks lovely we have no regrets as part of the land was termed a 'water meadow' - it lies alongside the river Ouse so guess what happened during the big floods 10 years or so ago? Say no more! We then entered a field to the side of a very pretty chocolate box type house and headed on northwards towards the A272.
Having first planned to stop at the Griffin pub for a coffee, we passed the village shop with very inviting tables and chairs outside so thought it would make a better venue. We were spot on - a lovely little shop selling fresh bread (Chris duly bought some for Sue which the future Mrs R offered to carry in her backpack) and the coffees were declared to be excellent. Chris continued her matchmaking duties and before we left casually tried to find out all she could about Wendy's intended! This must have distracted her as we were half way down the lane out of the village when Chris realised she had left her precious walking stick in the shop!
Stick duly retrieved we continued with the walk and onwards towards Newick. We came across a very strange looking 3 legged style which we all crossed in a variety of ways! More fields and woods, and we then found a newly laid track (courtesy of National Grid so they could get their vehicles to the pylons) which led towards the Southern Water Treatment Works - aka the sewage farm! Fortunately no nasty pongs emanating from it and we were soon back in the village. We stopped to have a bit of banter with the recycling/refuse collectors and almost persuaded them to join us in the pub (was Spring in the air today? Must have been!). Almost at the pub, but were distracted by the village bakers - full of all sorts of bread and yummy cakes! It's a lovely traditional shop with a very large 1930's oven which is still used every day to bake the bread.
So, into the pub which was rather empty - so why did we sit at our chosen table only to find that 5 minutes later a couple came to sit right next to us (or rather Minnie)? We swiftly moved to another table and ordered our food which came very quickly. We were being copycats today as we all had fish and chips - very good they were too with homemade tartare sauce and mushy peas. As we left the pub we had a quick visit back to the bakers to buy some goodies and when we returned to the car park we spied the local bowls club - perfect for TB as it seemed to be particularly well kept with a good pub on the doorstep.
So, a really lovely walk with views, rolling countryside, the river Ouse and plenty of friendly people - super half way stop and very good pub at the end. Oh, and the possibility of a grand marriage for Miss Nohills on the horizon ..............!!
Next week TBA - unfortunately yours truly will once again be absent as will be in London for a 60th birthday reunion with my (very!) old school pals. Hope you all have a good one!
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