Rusper - The Star

Tuesday 14 August

Rusper Rare RahRah Ramble

Walkers:  Farty, T.B., Windy, 2 Legs, Clat - and Mrs P!!!  More later.................  Chris is out socialising, Lil is in Portsmouth and it is Cowes week - plenty to be seen I can tell you.  Minnie is still under vitinry, so we each had a bag of Mini Cheddars in thoughts of her.

Distance: 71/2 miles - both pedos do not correlate so we took the average.

Find of the Walk: Provincalis magnificus erectus ( well, it's nearly finished apparently)  a birthday balloon, and an anorexic walker - no 75

T.B. has really got the hang of  punctuality - excellent, and we were off by 10.35 and at 10.37 we suffered from  premature direction.  (Some of us have been reading 50 Shades of Whatever, so references will be made  by * - sorry folks).  A fork in the path - we took the left version which proved to be right.  Well done Farty.  In fact, today her navigation skills were honed to perfection which is exactly what was required - again, more later* (he gasped).

This was new territory for us and we travelled at a reasonable pace because it was very hot * humid, and wet, from the torrential rain from the night before -  i should have worn me gaiters*(playroom?)  So, the Sussex Border path it was, and some delightful countryside, vistas and views, with fields bursting with ripened crops , waiting to be harvested -  real English summer stuff to behold.  A cluster of Thelwell ponies complete with riders were on the pathway and we had a chat to their cheerful little owners.   We found ourselves in woods with the odd sighting of the lesser-spotted Rahrah and caught-up on all her news.  Our first break near a horsey area plus bouncing black jack russell to accompany us, and some delicious muesli bars from Mrs P. After this, a conflict of maps ensued, as Clat's and Mon's did not correspond.  Luckily, a passing person pointed us in the right direction and we continued.

More woodland, fields and views followed - this is such a lovely walk, only slightly marred by the continued and constant sound of low-flying aircraft, something most of us are so used to.  We stared at their bellies* and agreed - ' rather them than us. ' We crossed the River Mole, which is tiny in these parts,* continuing to Kirk Farm where it appears that LGW holidaymakers cars are parked, which is ok except they were hiding the pathway signs.  After some tentative vaulting over stiles*? we finally got it right - thank goodness , as by now it was positively steaming*.  Again,  well done Farty.

Another stop for refreshment and then some very tricky and tedious field crossing - full of holes from the cloven hooves of the cows - it was a real assault course*.  Mrs P regaled us of Mr P's recent 60th birthday party and the impressive cheeseboard - 'looks good on a grey slate' we said, and so we concentrated on 50 shades of grey, cheeses - whip-me wensleydale, groaning gouda, ecstatic edam, b-j brie, chafing cheddar, carnal caerphilly, rampant roquefort - the possibilities are endless.

We also chatted about the olly- impics which are now sadly over for the time being ( sadly?, Ed), and how good the closing ceremony was -with a few exceptions though.

The Lamb Inn was encountered, but we ventured on, as we were not far from home.  Clat stupidly announced that we hadn't had any hills to deal with, and then was confronted with a long and high-ish one, which included an alpaca in a field.  Phew!  made it, and we were very glad to be back.  Although we were meant to be eating at The Plough, we saw that the Star was doing a good trade, and, as it also proclaimed that it was the West Sussex Pub of the Year, (but which year? says Windy) we gave it a whirl. 

Good food, good service, good menu, especially as you could have lighter versions of the main courses, so Clat opted for a stifado*, and the others were much more restrained!  Fish and chips, big sausages* and mash, and a crab* if you have too much of the 50. Oh dear, time I stopped - I have no idea where we shall be next week, but I shall be on Book 2 by then - heaven help you.

Another mention for T.B. - he is always very gallant and sorts out our drinks orders - thank you - we do appreciate your manliness*  !!!  He has been rather hirsute today in the facial dept. in readiness for his visit to The Valet, but I don't think he has opted for the 'inter-gluteal cleft' - we shall have a good look next week. 

Bye for now