An adventurous 3 alighted from the posted train in Amberley to light grey cloud and misty dampness. We made progress along some overgrown paths and many fallen tress lying cross the path, requiring some scrambling around. There seemed very few people about, underfoot it was muddy and slippery but walkable. The weather soon cleared to a bright low sun and wispy cloud which lasted the rest of the day, giving amazing views from the top of the downs. Two enjoyed mulled cider, Harveys best and parsnip soup in The George, whilst one located the final resting place of Shirley Valentine in the churchyard. The afternoon saw beaters and gun dogs at the ready, with ‘much slaughter of flying creatures’. Group cohesion was 100% and we all enjoyed tea and mince pies in the Mott & Bailey café, which stays open later than other places. We slightly mistimed leaving for the train (unaware it is only about 12 minutes walk) and waited a while on the platform before catching the 17:14 back to London. There was no Christmas market in Arundel btw,

Just 2 on a cloudy day. Up along and down to Burpham Fairly dry underfoot.

. After sandwiches on the seat, a quick visit to the George, it was off along the river.

We were both agreed - the river is not the most exciting part of this walk. The reeds were pretty but only for so long. Not for miles and miles with stiles and stiles. A flock of geese provided some light relief.

When Arundel was reached, we went straight to the station, just in time to miss the 15.15.

12 at the station with 1 joining at lunch makes 13. The weather was cloudy and windy with occasional fine rain The heavier stuff held off till we were back on the train. We split into 6, 4, and 2 at the back. The morning was easy-peasy, especially for me as I had an audio guide in the shape of the walk's author. Not so the afternoon. Apart from being tougher, this Book 1 half wasn't an easy walk to do backwards. Too many twists and turns. My cunning plan to follow some others wasn't so cunning. We were soon lost. But we did eventually get back on track. I thought I'd be able to this walk from memory but it turns out memory doesn’t work so well in reverse. After a steep climb up into Arundel Park and several uneasy feelings of lostness (we weren’t), we arrived in Arundel ahead of the others. (How, I'll never know). Most ate at the George lunchtime. Staff very friendly.

But a nice walk all the same.

I will add to my "to do" list a note to write up the walk directions "backwards".

Done

Hi, New to group. What is the most wooded walk on Saturday? Keen on cover! Thank you very much.

On the proposed afternoon leg, having left Arundel Park through the gate in the wall, shouldn't one turn left for Amberley instead of left for Arundel as stated?

Should the title of the post not be AMBERLEY TO ARUNDEL BOOK TWO PLUS ONE?

Re wooded walk: I would say the Balcombe one, probably. Re the other points, will correct if I can

16 on this walk, including one late starter. To our surprise the weather was blazing hot sunshine , the forecasted cloud remaining to the north till early evening, when the lower temperatures it brought were quite welcome. The morning of the walk was as flowery as promised, with particularly good displays of bright blue chicory flowers - acres of them in fact. Views were sharp and clear, including the distant sea.

Several of us opted for the higher route over Wepham Down mid morning. Why this is an alternative and not the standard route I do not know, as it has magnificent views in its later stages. The walk directions say it is liable to be muddy in winter, but it was hard to believe it could be that much muddier than any other part of the walk. Those who did the standard route down the valley found it dull, with high hedges blocking the view.

In Burpham a wedding was taking place, but fortunately the reception was taking place in a nearby field rather than the pub, so all who wanted to eat in the George & Dragon were accommodated with ease. We sat at outside tables, with swifts screaming overhead, and only around fifteen cars squeezing past to get to the happy event. The onward walk took us through the wedding reception field (odd to be walking among the smartly dressed in walking kit) and on along the dreamy river bank with fine views of Arundel Castle. It was very hot and not a little humid on this section and on reaching Arundel at 3pm I certainly felt I had done a full walk. But it is wonderful what a bit of cake and a large amount of tea can do, and after it eight of us set off to walk back to Amberley through the rolling downland of Arundel Park.

At its northern end we had a sit down to admire the glorious view - the North Downs clearly visible. Down by the river we encountered a flooded path at one point - due to high tide, I think - but got round it fairly easily by diverting up through Houghton to the South Downs Way. We finished in the garden of the Bridge Inn with drinks and nice hot snacks for some (soup, whitebait, samosas, spring rolls) and got the 7.17 train.

Did the other eight finish in Arundel?

Any bad boy rumours about me are completely unfounded. I will be trotting along obediently at the back so any admirers know where to find me. Peace.

Max the dog.

Dear marcus,

thank you very much for posting this walks at long last. Please note I have also written a new walk from Amberley which is beautiful too but as yet unfinished as on one occasion I ended up in a tank training enclosure then I was stopped by rain . I hope to venture with other adventurous souls to find the remainder of this new walk in early April jfk

where have all comments gone ? anyways my human has a dodgy hip, poor old thing, and so we may not go anyway..ho hum..Max the dog.

I am doing the walk Today. So I will see you there.

Well, where to begin...this was quite a day out....14 emerged into the mist from the VERY delayed posted train (including the more experienced members of the group who surprised the less experienced members by piling onto the train the stop before Amberley having encountered a series of delays and cancellation on their earlier train).... Apparently 2 others did manage an earlier start of the walk but with our delayed start we never saw them en route. Given the late arrival and concerns over getting to the lunch pub in time, we set off at a brisk pace up the ridge in driving rain. This route is very nice and definitely holds the promise of lovely views under better weather conditions. Once the rain eased up a bit, the low cloud and mist on the hills was very atmospheric. Lunch at the George was a vast improvement over last week's fiasco -- a warm and cozy pub with good quality food. As it is a popular pub -- advance bookings are advised in the future. Once satiated, we set off on a more relaxed pace to Arundel doing the Book 1 route in reverse -- up the river for a spell then up the hill into Arundel Park. All agreed that this combination generates a great route borrowing the best parts of two different walks. Conditions finally dried and we were treated to two rainbows en route and some beautiful low sunshine on Arundel Castle when we arrived. Seven then retired to the White Hart for a post walk tipple and then, properly provisioned for the journey home, caught the 18:12 where we were greeted by a very friendly Southern guard who inquired whether we were a club or friends -- the reply from our party, a club and sometimes friends....Another great day out notwithstanding the auspicious start and damp conditions!

Historical duplicate/misleading attendance numbers cleanup project: 16