tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post6818075814425783419..comments2024-03-28T11:16:38.801+00:00Comments on SWC - This Week's Walks: Saturday Walk - Lewes Circular (via Southease and Glynde)/South Downs Beer & Cider FestivalAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11395064086819994526noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-31699892812412065742019-06-22T23:08:49.737+01:002019-06-22T23:08:49.737+01:00Plenty of walkers got off at Lewes Station off the...Plenty of walkers got off at Lewes Station off the crowded train (Tennis at Eastbourne apparently, and only the standard 4 car-train), with several groups assembling on Platform 1, so we moved our group huddle to outside the station. There I counted 14, with (to my knowledge) 4 others still using facilities at platform level, although someone later said there were 5 of them. 1 of us had arrived 30 mins earlier and seen 2 others disembarking and starting early (who were both met or caught by the group), and 1 other took a train to Southease (I believe) and walked up to the Rodmell pub from there to meet the pub lunchers. And then there was SWC stalward MG, who some of us bumped into at the YHA Courtyard Cafe at Southease. She had taken a train 60 mins earlier. So, all in n=22 (or 23) in w=warm-weather-with-a-welcoming-breeze.<br />There were 2 first-timers apparently, but I had overlooked their fingers when I had asked for just that at the group huddle, so apologies for not being especially welcoming to them. <br />2 dashed off at speed, several others kind of followed, and 3 of those regrouped after the pub or the courtyard cafe for the stretch to West Firle (in all, at least 7 walked the long version). We bumped into one of the early starters who had walked the long walk clockwise, and then paused at The Ram for a drink. 6 of us (by then) continued together for the last leg to Lewes, although only a few walked the out-and-back to the Hillfort on Mount Caburn. Those few then reached Lewes after the Beer Festival had already shut, so went for a convivial meal at The Rights of Man pub (recommended). <br />The views were stunning, as the air was very clear and the breeze helped enormously in the temperatures. There was a good showing of buttercups (especially in one field by Kingston Windmill, where there were tight clumps of them) and plenty of poppies (especially along a stretch on Front Hill in a large rapeoil seed field), some trefoil and some viper suchandsuch.<br />Dr. Botanicus also saw three types of orchids and went down Caburn Bottom to find a fourth, but all he collected were plenty of ticks (there were warning signs aplenty). Cue some diligent tick-removal action...<br />Plenty of skylarks and other songbirds about and one Red Kite was spotted.<br />A splendid day. Thomas Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01298846868417688062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-6685411072073525642019-06-21T17:38:08.363+01:002019-06-21T17:38:08.363+01:00Half an hour earlier? Half an hour earlier? Thomas Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01298846868417688062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-87830041192654845922019-06-21T10:14:24.214+01:002019-06-21T10:14:24.214+01:00Thinking about doing the longer version - anyone f...Thinking about doing the longer version - anyone fancy an earlier start? <br />RichAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com