Elsted walk on 23rd August 2023

Celia and Miguel’s 4.5 mile walk started at the Three Horseshoes in Elsted on a gloriously sunny day with views across the South Downs. In uplifted spirits we crossed the stubble field, through a copse, across a stream and skirted another field to come out onto the Treyford to Elsted Marsh road. We ambled through Newhouse Farm, smartly sidestepping the large tractor heading out to remote fields and paused to look at the young Partridges strutting and pecking.

There were a few stops to rest in the shade of the tall hedgerows to cool down, and have some water before we reached a shaded corner where we relaxed for our coffee stop on the edge of Didling. Fortified, we walked down to Manor Farm when one of us realised we had failed the ‘leave no trace’ ethos by leaving their well-travelled walking stick behind. The rest of us took the opportunity to relax in the shade a bit more while said walking stick was recovered. The South Downs were a constant reminder to the south of us what amazing countryside we reside in as we crossed fields heading to Treyford. We milled around expectantly for cats to cross the road to heed the warnings but they must have been off hunting smaller prey. Taking the road towards Redlands, we passed the old Treyford church graveyard and soon picked up another footpath taking us up the hill where we could feel our lunch calling.

The al fresco lunch on shaded tables with the Downs bathed in sunshine, great food and drink all accompanied by a peep of chickens was a lovely way to finish a walk with friends.