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Autumn Walk October 2019 Littlehampton and South Downs,
3/10/2019 - 7/10/2019
Thursday 3rd October.
Travel day
Travel day. It had been arranged to meet at the Village House Inn at Findon for lunch before doing a circular warm up walk as we could not get into Littlehampton YHA until 17:00hrs. Those who met there were Dick, Paul, Dave, Steve, John, Graham and Ian. The walk was up around the Cissbury Ring then down to the edge of Worthing, crossing the A24 to return to Findon via the Vale, Rogers Farm, Nurseries, and Findon Place ending at the Village House Inn. The weather had been fine and sunny which afforded great views from the ring both out to sea and inland. There was a slight error on the walk when we missed a path but we were put right by the landowner. No harm done. When we got to the hostel we met Pete and Bill who had travelled by train, Phil also joined us later as he had been delayed with train problems.
Once we had checked in and changed we went to The George for dinner ( a Wetherspoons) then on to the White Hart for football. Arsenal were playing but Bill found the excitement of the game too much so he rested his eyes !! Then it was back for coffee before retiring for the night.
Bill misplaced his Tablet after arriving and was annoyed but over the course of the weekend he got a message to say someone had found it and it was returned to him.
Friday 4th October.
Breakfast was taken at The George as the Hostel was self catering with limited facilities. After breakfast we got the train from Littlehampton station (where Ray and Will joined us) to Amberley for the day’s walk. From Amberley station we walked along the River Arun past Houghton Farm to South Wood, the path had been very wet and was slippery for this part of the walk. At South Wood we turned away from the river on The Monarch’s Way climbing up to Arundel Park past Fir Plantation, Dukes Plantation on to Horne Tower. Then it was down into Arundel stopping at the Swan Hotel for lunch. Once refreshed we again followed the River Arun to Ford. At Ford, Dick, Pete and Paul got the train back the rest carried on walking by the river to Littlehampton stopping for refreshment at The Arun View as they entered Littlehampton.
After washing and changing it was decided to take dinner at The Steam Packet, an independent pub, which served good food and drink and had a Jazz band playing later.
The weather had been quite kind for us not too hot with just some rain for a while in the afternoon all in all another good day.
Saturday 5th October.
Breakfast again taken at The George then stayed on to watch England play Argentina in the rugby world cup though Paul and Graham went and did a park run (Steve and Dave went to watch them) before joining the rest watching an England win.
After the game was over we went for a circular walk around Climping. The route was over the footbridge down the River Arun to the coast, along the coast to Atherington, up to Kent’s Farm, Hobb’s Farm and on to The Oystercatcher at Horsemere Green for lunch. Good but expensive. After lunch we returned to the hostel via Kent’s Farm, top of the golf course and the footbridge to the hostel. Some went to The Empress for refreshment others went straight back to change and watch the West ham versus Crystal Palace football game. Towards the end of the game an older (than us) Crystal Palace supporter tried to wind Paul up but he did not take the bait. Then we had dinner at The Fish Factory, very good food. After dinner drinks were taken at The Crown, a pub that had live music on. Bill, Steve, John, Ray and Will stayed on for a few more before also retiring for the night.
Sunday 6th October.
We woke up to another fine morning with the sun shining this stayed until the afternoon when it clouded over but remained dry throughout the day. Breakfast was again taken at The George then on to the train station to get a train to Amberley for a circular walk. Ray was going to join us for the walk but couldn’t face the early start so met us at lunch time.
The walk was from Amberley station, Houghton Bridge, Stoke Rd, North Stoke, over the railway on a path towards Peppering High Barn then taking a path to The Burgh Tumuli, Rackham Hill, on to the South Downs Way, Amberley mount Tumuli, Highdown, High Titten, then on to The Bridge Inn in Amberley for lunch. Dick and Pete diverted slightly from the route where the others left the road at North Stoke they carried on past Camp Hill, Canada, The Burgh joining the other’s route again at The Burgh Tumuli.
Roland came down by train to meet us at lunch time; having arrived early he went round Amberley museum. He said it was well worth a visit.
After lunch Pete went to the museum. Dick went back on the train to try and get some milk for teas and coffee and have a walk around Littlehampton but was thwarted by train delays the others took in a loop to the north of Amberley along the River Arun as far as Bury, Castle Farm up into Amberley then back to the station and on to the Hostel.
Once all were back washed and changed we went to The Empress for an aperitif before going on to the Fish Factory for dinner. Dick stayed in at The Empress saying he would meet them later in The Dolphin. This proved to be a bad choice as the drinks were expensive and they had karaoke on, having sent a message to the others advising them of the state of play they went to The Crown. Bill called in to let Dick know so he joined them there.
Monday 7th October.
We woke up to a wet morning so it was decided to forgo a walk and go straight home after breakfast. All was well until Dick tried to start his car, nothing, so once all hands were called they managed to bump start the car. All got home safely another good walk under our belts.
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