Slindon Pumpkin Display HeartSmart Walk

 

Slindon Walk KMZ

Wed 17th October – 10:30am SLINDON PUMPKIN DISPLAY
L: Janet M: Jane
3½ miles. A walk through the woods and up onto the downs. Walking back through the village to see
the pumpkin display.         Meet: National Trust car park, Park Lane, Slindon.
By Car: Take A27 Eastward from Chichester. At Fontwell roundabout continue on A27 until you reach
the next roundabout (¼ mile approx). At this roundabout take first left

Approx 32 of us and two dogs, started off in gentle October sunshine. The heavy rain falling on the coast seemed a long way off and did not manage to reach us, throughout this 1hr 40min walk. The distance was just shy of 4 miles and near perfect conditions. Flat and easy to start with, then a fairly long straight incline and winding down through Slindon and back to the cars. Three quarters of the distance was under a canopy of trees.  Some of the track had puddles but you could easily walk around them and it was the drier today than the past three walks I attended here.

Butchers Copse was in fall leaf with the firs of the trees turning Autumn Gold. Rounding and following Park Pale by Slindon Wood we made our way up Slindon Bottom and the Keepers Cottage. Here by the camping site we emerged on the road by the college. To keep the enjoyment of the canopy of trees we followed the footpath within yards of the road and made our way upward to Court Hill and the College gate. Here we Paused to regroup and await our Back Marker Jane.  At this point two persons decided to head towards the 'Coffee' sign that had been posted quite recently. The remainder of us crossed the road entering Butt Lane Bridleway. This gentle climb is now so easy compared to how breathtaking it was 12 months ago. When we arrived at Downes Barn old wall we rested, this was barley 2 miles from where we had started. Looking across we could see The Folly  Nore Folly. Beautiful but with no apparent purpose, maybe there was when it was built but that's for you to find out.  At theis point Jane reported to Janet we had lost one of the dogs and hew owner plus another lady who accompanied the owner on the hunt for the missing hound.  Once Jane returned to say the missing lady and dog will make their own way we continued further up Butt lane till we collided with Mill Lane where we doubled back on ourselves. Cresting the farm land appokimatly 360ft(105m) we now had the gentle decline all the way back. Now on the tarmacadam of Baycombe Lane we entered into Top Road and continued along to the Pumpkin Display.  After looking around this wonderful display and selection and parting with some money(Purchased a pumpkin 'Prince Crown' which should be baked next weekend) we back tracked to Dyers Lane and made our way into Church Hill and when we reached the pond we again regrouped. Entering into the bellows we proceeded into Butchers Copse and back to the carpark once again. Thanking Janet for yet another walk we were all soon on the road home. Oh the dog and its owner did meet up with us at the pumpkin Display.