Despite an unpromising weather forecast, 14 of us made our various ways to Plumpton to start the walk. The South Downs were completely hidden in a thick mist but I knew that there was a fence at the top so I was prepared to cling to it if we could see absolutely nothing and were in some danger of either falling off or getting lost in the greyness. 

After a mile or so of  flat walking through meadows and light woodland we arrived at the start of our ascent but made a democratic decision to stop at the pub before we went up. The pub advertised ice cream for dogs which always makes me wonder what the ingredients are but no one seems to know. Well, it seems to contain a lot of unpronounceable chemicals plus milk, turmeric, sweet potato, collagen, various vitamins, oat bran and oddly, vanilla flavouring. Probably quite nice!

We made our way up the lovely chalk path to join the South Downs Way for a few miles and despite a very brisk cold wind the mist started to clear. We had to go down a potentially unpleasantly steep and slippery chalk path but, impressively, no one fell over and we arrived in Ditchling where we had sandwiches in the churchyard and hit the cafes. 

After lunch up we went again, back onto the Downs. The sun almost came out and the weather improved so we enjoyed  beautiful views over  Sussex. Then a slightly gentler and more sheltered descent to Hassocks where some went for the train and some had a second pint or half pint, or cider or lime juice or whatever at the Jack & Jill pub before the final 20 minute walk to the station. 

Harriet

Photos from Jane, Stephen, Jo, Ida and Chris