Walk Report

London to Brighton Part 3, Saturday 8th September 2018
8 walkers, 18 miles - leader Jerome Ripp
8 of us set out from Balcombe only 15 minutes behind schedule despite the combined transport difficulties of "engineering works", strikes and inadequate information. Ardently reservoir, very low after the record hot summer, lead to the Sussex Ouse Valley Way and a late morning break at Lindfield church currently under extensive restoration. The same path was followed down to "The Farmers" at Scaynes Hill for pub or picnic lunch. The Sussex Border path was then our companion to Wivelsfield Green and Ditchling before the final crossing to our finish at Hassocks with the South Downs just ahead waiting for the final section of this odyssey. Good walking weather and en route a few adventures; some provided generously by the leader (e.g. a circular tour of Eastern Road nature reserve outside Lindfield which required GPS technology to avoid going round and round for ever; some gymnastics to overcome barbed wire and a locked gate) and some provided by outsiders (e.g. a group of cows blocking a narrow bridge crossing until one brave walker got amongst them and ushered them away). The good-natured group enjoyed it all and even the one-hour bus ride did not dampen spirits and with good connections we were back in London by 6.15

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