Chilgrove, Hooksway and East Marden 19 Jan 2014

Wow! – After the last couple of week’s never ending rainfall Sunday’s blue skies and sunshine were just an amazing tonic, perfect walking weather and from the amount of fellow walkers up on the South Downs a lot of people appeared to agree.

Allowing for driver’s negotiations of the flooded lanes around Stoughton Mark held back from starting the walk until quarter to eleven and this small delay allowed another walker to join us who had diverted to another car park making a party of 10 plus 1 dog.

We set off and once past a muddy part found the walk to be fairly free of water and mud and walking at a steady pace up on the hills we had a clear view of Chichester and the cathedral spire, the Trundle at Goodwood and across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Whilst stopping for a break and photo shoot at Monkton Farm Peter met a fellow birder who pointed out a Raven and Richard in turn pointed out three Buzzards, then it was time to head off towards the lunch spot.

 Off the beaten track the Royal Oak at Hooksway can be described as isolated but that doesn’t stop it from turning into a magnet for walkers and diners. The majority of the group kicked off their boots and happily headed for the dining area while those with packed lunches sat outside sharing our disbelief with other diners that this was January and it was too hot for coats in the beer garden!

 The final stretch of the afternoon, apart from one hill, was pretty level with very little mud and at a nice pace that got us back to the car park for about half past three. All in all, sunshine, the good company and pleasant conversation made it a very enjoyable walk and day out.

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