Ice creams and silly hats

Another Sunday and, as the late night revellers made their way home, team Towis arose from their respective slumbers and headed out on another training walk.

Meeting at John's house I decided to put the "make sure we don't rely on only one person having a map" contingency plan into action by forgetting mine, luckily pace-maker Bev had bought a back up.  So, following on from my "don't rely on only one person having a compass" contingency plan of last week, another success.

After, once again, disappointingly not being offered a full fry up by Clare, we headed to Pyecombe for the day's training walk to Checkpoint 9 and back.

Jack (or Jill) Windmill, Checkpoint 8

After arousing the suspicions of one Pycombe resident (who we passed three times whilst trying to find somewhere to park) we found somewhere to park and "booted" and "silly hatted" up.  Just before 9am it was very warm, so we could tell we would be in for a hot day.

Out of Pyecombe the South Downs way crosses a busy road before gently climbing through a golf course to the Jack and Jill windmills which mark Checkpoint 8.  After the windmills the track climbs gently some more before levelling and opening out into a similar sight to previous sections of the walk, the path being perched on top of a ridge with the sides falling gradually away to afford glorious views both north and south.  Unlike previous sections of the walk we could actually enjoy the views rather than being pelted by rain, hail and/or wind.

First in series :"Rusty Farm Vehicles"

As we made our way along the track I remembered from a couple of years back the presence of an ice cream van in the Ditchling Beacon car park.  So we upped our pace and made for the first energy stop of the day - Mr Whippys all round.

The AMEX stadium at Falmer

Weighed down slightly by our ice cream (though a suggestion of replacing the flake with chocolate covered Kendal Mint Cake might be taken up next time) we headed on as the route became a more defined path again, slowly heading downwards.

At this point we leave the South Downs Way to zig zag around Lewes - a part of the route we had been told was easy to get lost on, one reason we were keen to try this section out - mindful of the fact that, on the day, we'll have been walking for around 20 hours at this point so our map reading skills may not be the greatest.

Rail underpass

After leaving the South Downs Way you pass through the Blackcap Reserve - John pointed out the cluster of trees that gave their name to this area, before some passing locals pointed at the correct cluster of trees before muttering something about "tourists" and heading off.

After the reserve the route becomes a defined path again, that fairly steeply (more noticeable on the return route) heads down to the 'Gallops'.  Several footpaths join and head in different directions, but following the special instructions, we navigated this quite comfortably, before joining a zig zag section (not so zig-zaggy if you shortcut it, hey Paul?) which passes near to Kingston Prison and round the back of some houses before having to negotiate one main road ... you're then taken under a railway line and over the A27.

Checkpoint 9

Once over the A27, the route rises sharply and diagonally through a field before rejoining a track signposted South Downs Way which leads you to Checkpoint 9.

We walked through Checkpoint 9 and took advice from another Trailwalker team who had steamed past us about 10 minutes earlier and were now eating their lunch to head to a local pub in nearby Kingston for refreshment.

After a cheeky drink at "The Juggs" we decided to head back and sit in a shady spot for some lunch.  We had seen the steep climb out of Checkpoint 9 enroute to Checkpoint 10 looming in the distance as we made away along the route earlier, and decided to leave that for another day.  When Tony is with us as, we know how he enjoys hills.

"Rusty Farm Vehicles" 2

As we headed back the intensity of the heat, coupled with a lack of breeze, became noticeable.  The climb up before, around, and after the 'Gallops' was particularly hard work - glad we don't have to do that on the day.  And the heat almost made wish for the rain of previous weeks.  Almost....

Once back up on the ridge we were driven on by the thought of reaching the ice cream van for a second time - hopefully making it before he packed in for the day. We did and we signed up to his loyalty reward scheme before enjoying Orange Refresher lollies and double Mr Whippies.

"Two large ones please barmaid" (c) Paul

Energised by our frozen treats we then headed back to Pyecombe to enjoy the "bar" in the boot (water, lucozade or beer in a cool bag) - standards for the next driver have been set.

So, another section completed - and another ice cream van identified.  Next up is walking half the route, from start to CheckPoint 5, with some help from the support crew ... then we might think about checking out the climb out of CheckPoint 9, followed by lunch at The Juggs.

A lost boy scout points the way

Date: 27 May 2012 8:51 am

Distance: 20.5 miles

Elapsed Time: 7:59:01

Avg. Speed: 2.5 mph

Max. Speed: 5.2 mph