Ditchling dandering

I see a fine football stadium thar

This is the last set of photos I took from rambling on the South Downs back in March, when it was unseasonably balmy. What a crap June in contrast. I’ll be walking a lot more now I’m back home from work, and of course sampling the fine pubs and ales you encounter dandering along the most beautiful part of the country.

Leaving Ditchling and approaching the Beacon

This was a big long hike, starting from Ditchling itself, then heading straight up the downs onto Ditchling Beacon. I remember driving up the hill when the Albion were still playing at Withdean, but the new stadium at Falmer was almost finished. The shock at seeing the curved roofs of the Amex from the top of the hill, was soon followed by excitement at moving there after that summer. The stadium fitted beautifully into the surrounding landscape, making a mockery of those fucking bellends – the NIMBYS on Lewes District Council – who said the Downs would be ‘ruined’. A plague on all their houses still, who knows where BHAFC would be now if we’d been moved in earlier than 2011? Bastards.

The view north east halfway up

But I’m getting off topic – rambling around Ditchling. After heading west along the spine of the Downs from spotting Falmer, the view either side is probably the best in Sussex. Then it’s a long, lonely dog leg south to the remote Chattri War Memorial, a fine site, and great place for reflection – no more greater compliment can be paid to the Indian troops who fought and were wounded in WWI, than making this place a perfect meditation spot. The views toward Brighton are worth the extra miles alone.

The vintage rallies still love to come over the Downs at Ditchling

Next up was the Jack & Jill Windmills overlooking Clayton and the north. Finally footsore and gagging for a beer, you head east, then north, down the steep north side of the Downs and into The Bull, on Ditchling’s High Street. A  fine traditional pub, with superb ales on tap. None better than this pint of Dark Star’s Sussex Stout. Forget that Guinness keg muck, this surprisingly light stout is just what a thirsty walker requires after 8 miles over the Downs at Ditchling. Recommended.

Top ‘o the Downs, heading due west

The view at the Chattri War Memorial

Clayton Windmills

Turn left for a pint of……

……this beauty

Best pint I’ve tasted in years

From the Sea to the Deans

Looking out over Ovingdean, with Woodingdean beyond

I’m abroad again writing this, so I missed the Albion fail to make the Championship play-offs. I’m not arsed, because the thought of a thrilling knock out comp and a possible trip to Wembley, all on Seagulls Player on my laptop, was too much to contemplate. Next year, next year.

The undercliff walk at Ovingdean

I had a couple of ale rambles at the end of March before flying out to work again, that’s why it looks hot in these phots – it was back in March. I believe you’ve all been freezing and soaking lately, bless.

Sunhattery badging from the Seagulls Shop and Casual Connoisseur

This was a good walk (5 miler) around the ‘Deans’, especially Rottingdean. I was lucky with the sunny views and fresh air, and writing about them now is making me properly homesick.

I was outside here before opening time

I cycle the undercliff walk from Brighton Marina to Saltdean fairly regularly, but this hike on the hills above the sea beats the cycling hands down, and I’m going to walk it in all weather in future. Sussex is the most beautiful part of the country in my opinion, if you live here and don’t get out on foot and see it, you doing yourself a real injustice.

A pint of Harvey’s – walking fuel

The Grange, Rottingdean, where Rudyard Kipling lived from 1897-1902

Heading west from Rottingdean and up onto Beacon Hill

“The Connoisseurs” tee

Looking east toward St. Dunstan’s Home for the Blind

Heading west towards Roedean & Brighton

I never get tired of this place

Come Over The Dyke

The weather’s been great lately eh? I picked up a copy of this little book over in Battle last week. It’s got some great walks in it, and of course, as there can no ramble without a beer en route, each hike has a pub on it.

Here are the phots from ‘Walk 27 – Devil’s Dyke‘. A three miler with a naughty climb out of Poynings up to the Devil’s Dyke Inn. I had a crisp pint of Bitter & Twisted after that one. Job done.

More walks will follow until I’m dragged away again for work.

Sunday drinking

It’s the ideal day for a shant in Brighton is Sunday. The best pub for a midday tipple is the Quadrant opposite Boots at the bottom of Queen’s Road. Get a frothing  pint in a real dimpled glass, find a nice window seat, and watch the weekending stag and hen nighters struggle back up the hill to the train station after a weekend of debauch.  Fucking hangovers on some of them! It’s revenge for them acting like tits on a Saturday night – which also happens to be my least favourite time for having a beer in Brighton.

Sunday is the real ale day, and I’m especially enjoying a pint of Dark Star American Pale Ale nowadays. Cheers.

Carlisle 0 – 0 Albion

With finishing night shift this morning, and being back in work at 7am tomorrow, the monster trek up to Carlisle was never a viable proposition for me this Saturday (or am I just a bad fan?). Instead I made do with a nice hike along the South Downs Way from Eastbourne to Beachy Head and back (via the pub for grub and ale). I listened to the game on my mobile’s FM radio – it sounded shit – and took in the beautiful Sussex coastline.

Sounds like we held on in a crap game for a hard-earned point, Ankergren and Elphick were pick of the bunch, and I got my face sunburned for probably the last time this year. Oh, and I can’t make the Plymouth game on Tuesday night either – extremely bad fan. Here’s a few pics from today anyway.

Npower League One table

Saturday, 18 September 2010 17:07 UK

Position	Team	P	GD	PTS
Full Npower League One table
1	Huddersfield	7	6	14
2	Peterborough	7	6	13
3	Carlisle	7	6	13
4	MK Dons	7	0	13
5	Rochdale	7	4	12
6	Oldham	7	2	12
7	Bournemouth	7	8	11
8	Brighton	6	3	11
9	Colchester	7	2	11
10	Charlton	7	1	11
11	Sheff Wed	7	5	10
12	Notts County	7	-1	10
13	Swindon	7	0	9
14	Exeter	6	-1	9
15	Bristol R	7	-3	9
16	Plymouth	6	-2	8
17	Yeovil	7	-6	7
18	Walsall	7	-3	6
19	Brentford	7	-4	6
20	Hartlepool	7	-5	6
21	Tranmere	7	-5	6
22	Southampton	7	-2	5
23	Leyton Orient	7	-4	4
24	Dag & Red	6	-7	4