Please stop in and visit us at Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard while you are nearby. We would love to see you and welcome you to try some of our beautiful wines or visit for refreshments.

Curiously, only two of us were on the suggested train to Crowhurst, with no one else in sight.

2 ?

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6 plus a small dog met on Crowhurst Station, though one (not the dog) was lost fairly soon and only glimpsed in the distance towards the end. Unlike last week’s delightful all-day rain, Saturday was even better: all-day sun . We walked on lanes and through fields and woods and did not find the overgrown paths nearly as impassable as the walk description suggested. We picnicked in the church of St John the Baptist and had a look inside the (mentioned in the Domesday Book) church. We speculated about the event about to take place within, and on asking were told that the 20 or so men and women were about to have a “Street Pastor” training. No one wanted to go to the pub so we kept going, albeit with a little rest in the sun just outside Sedlescombe where one of the group needed to buy extra water. We missed a turning at some point after that, took a path a little too far south, crossed the A21 in the wrong place, went past a farm with a cart horse and foal, and approached Battle through the Great Wood (Forestry Commission but the part that we saw, deciduous). But that seems to have allowed us to miss the walk section with 7 stiles before returning to the official route into Battle. Where we did not find any tea shops still serving and got the train home, rather than visit the Abbey or battle field. A lovely walk, especially the woods, lots of huge old trees - having to crossing the A21 twice is a pity but we all survived. The day finished with a beautiful sunset seen from the train.

The sixth walker here!

I early on fell behind the athletic pace of my five companions, and was further delayed by meeting a stray dog on a narrow path between a thick hedge and a barbed wire fence. Large and fierce looking, he was on three legs. The other one was still attached though horribly mangled. He and I stared at each other, each unwilling to reverse or pass each other.

However he turned out to be gentle, and began to follow me. I spent some time trying to re home him with various people, succeeding when I found two men building a dog house!

I can see where the five others took the wrong fork on leaving the children’s playground at Seddlescombe. How I wish I’d done the same thing.

The route ahead has some nearly overgrown paths. The one leading to the seven gardens and seven stiles is completely overgrown and the field beside it is neither grazed nor mown, so one has to wade through the tussocks of fallen grass, like walking knee deep in treacle.

The last garden has a vineyard. (Very tasty small grapes)

The way out is across a brand new footbridge which absolutely no one seems to use as the next field is again full of extremely overgrown grass with no sign of a track of any kind.

Soon one comes to the long path alongside the sewage works, which smelled horrible in the unusually warm October sunshine. Through the wire mesh fence one could glimpse seagulls squabbling over tasty morsels on the settling beds. Ugh!

The ending could be rewritten, perhaps turning right before the impassable path and soon joining the route of the Robertsbridge to Battle walk, or turning left up into the Forestry England wood.

OK, so I didn't read the bit about not wearing shorts . . . my legs were still tingling from the 300m ordeal by nettle when I went to bed.

Enough about that . . . 8 of us set off from Crowhurst including one newcomer, in hot and sunny all day with a bit of a breeze in the morning . The morning's walk was excellent, including the interesting micronavigation through the woods in the golf course, but we did need some helpful horse-riders to point out the path for us at para 24. 2 of us had sandwiches by the interesting St John the Baptist church then joined the others, who seemed very happy with their lunch in the quiet New Inn.

I have to say I didn't enjoy the afternoon so much, it wasn't just the thousands of nettle stings, there was a lot of walking along busy roads and the heat probably played a part too. Everyone dispersed in Battle, to various tea rooms, pubs or the station, and in at least one case the Abbey. Thanks all, especially for the antiseptic cream :-(

I just wanted to thank DAC for posting my walk request. I am glad that I got to walk it with the group and really enjoyed it. Although I do feel bad about Sandy's nettle trial...

Entirely my fault, Anonymous; please don't feel bad!

Simply Italian located in an old pub at 23 High Street does a coffee and cake deal. There is always the ubiquitous Costa, open a little later than most is also located in an old pub in the High Street. The staff in The Chequers are friendly and I am sure the chef would rustle up a pudding or two if needed.

A very pleasant walk through Autumn countryside. Overcast, but dry all the way. Just three of us, but Marcus was one and has done this walk 17 times, so no danger of getting lost! (Although Peter tried to a couple of times........)

Stopped for lunch at Westfield, nice pub (the New Inn) which has its own beer, and a lovely 12th C church. As advertised, the path was a bit overgrown in places, mainly by Hastings Golf Club, but easily passable. Arrived in Battle in time for a quick one at the Senlac, by the station, before catching the 17.36 back to London.

3 overcast but dry

Thanks Brian

Just to mention this walk was the last of the "extra" mid-week walk postings for the time being. Mid-week walkers may recall we introduced these extra walks in February 2017 after a period post New Year when Wednesday walks attracted upwards 20 walkers, which some thought was too many. The extra walks helped even out the mid-week demand and numbers for a while, but of late numbers attending both the Wednesday and alternate Tuesday and Thursday walks have dropped off, so it's time to park the extra walks. You may have noticed some of the draft walks for future Tuesdays and Thursdays have "disappeared" from the walk postings. My apologies if anyone was hoping to go on these walks - they will be rescheduled for another time.

It's a bit chilly down here but should be dry for most of the day tomorrow.

4

Looks good. Intend going.

8

Bright_and_sunny

Five arrived on the train, three in cars.

Beautiful sunny day with lots of lively chatter all morning. Stunning views across the coast, and abundant sloes and damsons everywhere.

Lunch was at the New Inn in Westfield. After lunch two went on ahead to ensure a prompt return to London in time for the rugby!