JACKIE and Geoff from Penarth and District Ramblers organised a long weekend to visit their old stomping ground of the South Downs in East Sussex.
On the first day, they climbed the Downs from Eastbourne seafront, turning inland before heading to the coast along a valley containing hundreds of sheep and spring lambs. Then onward to Birling Gap where the beach is closed because of cliff falls and along the clifftops past the Belle Tout, an old lighthouse that had been converted to holiday accommodation before returning to their start via the Pilot Inn.
Day two saw them going inland on the six ‘ton’ challenge, as each of the picturesque villages end in a ton! From Alfriston they passed the ‘Cathedral of the Downs’ in the shape of the Church of St Andrew and moved on along the river to Litlington and a visit to a micro-brewery. A climb led to a viewpoint taking in the chalkland valley of Lullington Heath then down to Jevington and on to Folkington and Wilmington, with its ancient yew tree before passing the iconic Long Man, and debates over whether it resembles a fertility figure or a warrior?
Their last village at Lullington contains the delightful Church of the Good Shepherd as they descended back to their start to visit the Smugglers Inn for refreshments.
On the last day they were joined by friends from Beachy Head Ramblers and headed out of East Dean and along the South Downs Way at the renowned Seven Sisters Cliffs, which are actually eight hills in number to overlook the Cuckmere Estuary.
Then, arriving at Exceat, a medieval village completely wiped out by the Black Death and French invasions, they climbed above the National Park Visitor Centre for a scenic lunch before steps led them to West Dean. Gorgeous quiet tracks led them through Friston Forest to the village of Friston for the descent back to their start, after three glorious walks in great walking weather.
Mid-week walk at Machen
Naomi and Meryl’s mid-week walk left Machen Village Hall and the group of 11 went across the Rhymney River to the Machen Viaduct and the Machen Forge where only the stable block remains. They walked on through the aptly named Forge Wood to climb through fields with fantastic views until the blustery cool wind hit them at the top. Next was part of the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk overlooking Risca and Crosskeys to join part of the Cambrian Way and the ridge leading to Mynydd Machen. They paused at its windy trig point to enjoy the views before the long steep rough descent past Machen Quarry.
Finding a sheltered spot near forestry for their lunch in bright sunshine, it was loudly interrupted by a warning siren indicating blasting at the nearby quarry, followed by a huge bang and a second siren indicating the blasting had stopped. Heading downhill through woodland into Coed y Fedw, awash with native bluebells, a stream led to a wide track and into a housing estate before they followed the River Rhymney beside swathes of wild garlic to cross playing fields back to their start.
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Joy Strangward
- Penarth ramblers enjoy their weekend in Sussex
- Ramblers explore Sully Island
- Ramblers celebrate with a picnic in the park
- Penarth ramblers take a liking to Lydney
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