Rings, Hills and Bottoms. Circular

Sat 18th Jun 2011

Walk Details:

Event Type
Group Walk
Region
Southern England
Local Group
London
Distance
22ml.
Start Time
9.00
Route
Shoreham by Sea stn

Depart London Victoria 7.47. On the S Downs via Chanctonbury and Cissbury rings with lunch at Washington. Ldr Jerome Ripp

Start and Finish

Entry Details:

Cost

Walk Report

Rings, Hills and Bottoms, Saturday 18th June 2011
12 walkers, 26 miles - leader Jerome Ripp
12 of us set out from the Sussex coast on a windy and rather dull morning with the leader saying that in view of the unsettled weather, the promised 22 miles would not be forthcoming. Little did we all realise how that prediction would be fulfilled. Up to the downs at Mill Hill Nature Reserve with some early excitement as we were almost mauled by some excited cows and managed to find a very long way through the reserve with several ups and downs. Order was resumed with the South Downs Way which was now followed all the way to our first ring of Chanctonbury with a view down into several bottoms on the way. A very late morning break and then the descent through woods to Washington for lunch. The weather had been fairly kind with only squally showers to accompany the stiff wind. After an efficient stop at the Frankland Arms it was back into the hills and a pleasant route up to Cissbury Ring where we sank into the soft grass for a well-earned 40 winks. From here however the walk went downhill both literally and metaphorically. The descending path was very pretty with a view over the golf course but it was not the intended path and suddenly we arrived in a residential area on the edge of a town which was not the plan. The leaders attempt to fight his way out of this mess by diving into the luxury housing estate was to no avail although we did pass the amusing "Bacon For Sale" sign. By now it began to look as if head torches and a tent might be needed but with Trevor providing some local knowledge, nerves were steadied and a plan made to get back on track. Via Sainsburys a path slowly emerged that lead back up into the hills and finally we reached our third ring of Lancing with a view across to the ornate college. A final descent and we just made the 18.40 train having covered a marathon of 26 miles. An epic walk according to D.W. which put this leader up with some of the greats.

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