3 Men on a walk 2017: November 2017

Monday, 27 November 2017

North downs ramble

Otford loop via the North Downs Way and Shoreham

Weather forecast was not good but as Monday morning approached the weather maps indicated that the band of rain would pass from the north. So if we delayed our start a bit and walked in the North of our catchment area we might just stay dry. Trevor picked up a route around the North Downs and with a bit of modification to suit our late timing that's where we headed.

We parked up at Otford and set out along the North Downs Way. There is a very steep uphill section out of Otford but once on the top of the downs and caught our breath and the rain stayed away. We had done some of this trail before but for several miles we found ourselves on new paths as we looped across the downs and eventually dropped down the steep side of the Darenth valley into Shoreham where we hoped to find one of the three pubs open for business. Luckily the Kings Arms was open and we popped in for refreshment before walking up the other side of the valley as we looped back to the car at Otford.

Our route but we added a couple of miles after lunch!

Looking over the Darenth valley from top of the downs

Up on the North Downs

An Egret fishing in the River Darenth

Heading along the Darenth valley towards Otford

Lunch Stop at the Kings Arms

Stats for the walk were...

Finished Hike: 27 Nov 2017, 14:28:52

Route: Otford Shoreham

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20171127-1033

Import Link: http://share.abvio.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Walkmeter-Hike-20171127-1033.kml

Hike Time: 2:54:11

Stopped Time: 57:49

Distance: 8.29 miles

Average: 2.85 mile per hr

Fastest Pace: 15:07 min/mile

Ascent: 1865 feet

Descent: 1899 feet

Calories: 913

Monday, 20 November 2017

A Morning on the Ashdown Forest

Ashdown 7.mile loop

Ivan had to play Nurse on the afternoon and so we needed a local walk that we could finish by 12-30 so Ivan could go off to his husbandly duties. The Ashdown Forest is always good for a mornings walk being both near us and challenging so we met up at Kings Standing ready for the trek. Trevor and I were slightly disappointed to see that Ivan wasn't walking in his Nurses uniform but his excuse was that the suspenders would chaff his legs so we let him off.

It was a low cloud day but not wet and a sharp wind let you know that it was winter. The Ashdown Forest consits of several rolling valleys and any loop walk means that you will be walking downhill sometimes and uphill on others and our loop seemed to consist of a long downhill and an even longer uphill! Still it kept us fit and warm and we concluded the walk right on 12-30 so Ivan wouldn't be late for his duties. Trevor and I were in a much better situation so drove down the road to Groombridge and said hello to our old friend "The Crown Inn" - hard luck Ivan!

The route

Ashdown on a gloomy day

Ashdown Forest in winter

The Crown Inn

Stats for the walk were...

Finished Hike: 20 Nov 2017, 14:38:00

Route: Asdown 7m loop

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20171120-0945

Import Link: http://share.abvio.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Walkmeter-Hike-20171120-0945.kml

Hike Time: 2:26:45

Stopped Time: 5:50

Distance: 6.71 miles

Average: 2.75 mile per hr

Fastest Pace: 17:32 min/mile

Ascent: 1136 feet

Descent: 1111 feet

Calories: 730

Monday, 13 November 2017

Devils Dyke on a cold bright Autumn day

Devils Dyke loop via Poynings and Saddlescombe

A cold frosty morning with a cold north wind but the bright sunshine made up for this and it was a perfect day for a winter walk. We parked up at one of the walkers car parks about a mile from Devils Dyke and set out southwards down the "Monarch's way".

Having walked downhill along the Monarch's way we then turned north up the Sussex Border path and this was a VERY long uphill pull for about 2 miles. Fortunately on reaching the top of the appropriately named "Fulking Hill" we could see our lunch stop at the Devils Dyke Inn a half-mile ahead. All along the ridge that makes up the Devils Dyke were Para-gliders because the north wind at about 15 mph was driving up and over the ridge affording excellent uplift for these flyers.

After an enjoyable lunch we continued northwards and this took us downhill again into the valley bottom as we reached the pretty village of Poynings. So once more what comes down has to go back up and three tired old walkers started the climb up to Saddlescombe and beyond to reach the car with very tired legs.

Looking South from that Fulking Hill !

Up on the Downs

DEvils Dyke escarpment

Hang Gliders using the updraft

Winter Woolies on for the first time this winter

Lunch Stop at the Devils Dyke Inn

Low sun as we approach our final mile

Stats for the day were ...

Finished Hike: 13 Nov 2017, 14:27:33

Route: Devils Dyke-1

Explorer Link: http://walkmeter.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Hike-20171113-1027

Import Link: http://share.abvio.com/818ee85cf2cf57d1/Walkmeter-Hike-20171113-1027.kml

Hike Time: 2:48:17

Stopped Time: 1:11:44

Distance: 8.59 miles

Average: 3.1 mile per hr

Fastest Pace: 13:53 min/mile

Ascent: 1430 feet

Descent: 1416 feet

Calories: 915

Monday, 6 November 2017

A trip to the seaside

Newhaven to Brighton along the coast path

Our wonderful Autumn weather continues and with sunshine and clear blue skies Trevor wanted a day at the seaside so we indulged him with a south coast trek that we have had on the cards for several months waiting for just such a lovely day.

We parked up at Newhaven and walked along the river Ouse to its mouth below the old Victorian fort. climbing up to the fort and then on to Castle hill. Great views east along to the coast to Seaford Head, and the Seven Sisters beyond. We were walking westward towards Brighton and the first few miles followed the top of the chalk cliffs.

Once we reached Peacehaven the path drops down the cliff to the shoreline and we walked along the sea defences for another two miles before climbing the cliff again to Telscombe. After another mile or so the path again drops down to sea level and from this point we stayed on the under-cliff path right the way to Brighton.

Fortunately, at Rottingdean there was an excellent watering hole at "The White Horse" and we sat having lunch outside in the sunshine looking out at the sea.

On reaching Brighton we caught the bus back to Newhaven and walked the mile or so back to the car.