Walk Report

1066 Circular, Saturday 16th October 2010
8 walkers, 23 miles - leader Mike Ratcliff
Starting our walk just a few miles north from the coast, the eight of us who started our northerly loop from Battle would sadly only have a few rare glimpses of the sea on this day although we would get to enjoy the beautiful undulating countryside that characterises this part of East Sussex. We soon passed the Abbey after leaving the train station and descended to lower ground just west of Senlac Hill where the famous battle of Hastings was fought in 1066. Following the 1066 country trail west we soon passed through Catsfield which was our most southerly point on our route then up to Steven's Crouch where we had great views looking north and west into the heart of the Weald. After leaving the 1066 trail we continued north and west through some very rural areas with good conditions underfoot and the occasional burst of sun through the intermittent patches of heavy cloud. Dallington was a highlight on the route with it's beautiful Norman Church and other ancient buildings. Finally reaching our lunch stop at Woods Corner we enjoyed the comfort of the wood fire and excellent coffee at The Swan before continuing on our way. Thanks to Lula who arrived too late in Battle to start the walk with us, we were now nine as she showed determination by making her own way to the lunch stop by herself. The later stages of our walk were characterised by some great woodland walking which seemed all the more special at this time of year with so many of the trees having their leaves turned gold and red and starting to form an autumnal mouldering carpet under our feet. Passing a couple of Jack Fuller's follies soon after leaving the pub added a sense of eccentricity to the day and as we eventually swung round to walk back south, the evening light began to produce the most beautiful atmosphere as we walked into the sun with our long shadows following in our trail behind us.

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