3 Men on a walk 2017: GMT-1: The first leg of the Greenwich Meridian Track

GMT Leg 1 - Peacehaven to Lewes

Our chosen long-distance walk for 2017 was decided as the Meridian Way or Greenwich Meridian Track (GMT) for its correct name. This trail crosses our region north to south and in our bit it stretches from Greenwich, London to Peacehaven where the most famous Zero Meridian drops off the cliff and into the English Channel. When plotted we think that 5 "chunks" or day walks will get us to Croydon on the southern edge of London. We are not sure if the urban walking from there to Greenwich is worth it but it might be useful next winter when the countryside is soggy and hard going.

So today we started out walking South to North at the Meridian Monument built by George V to mark the Zero meridian's point on the south coast of England. The track is made up of linked footpaths already in existence and so zig-zags around following the general direction of the meridian. Today it took us up and over the South Downs and then along the edge of the River Ouse valley and into Lewes. Fortunately for us it took us within half-a-mile or so of Rodmell where we knew of a nice little pub - The Abergavenny Arms - which provided us with refreshment after our long pull up the downs!

This was a very pleasant walk on a sunny day but with a biting northerly wind which made sure we kept a few layers of clothes on.