Bird, Hip, Dinosaur

HENFIELD TO GORING BY SEA VIA WOODS MILL, STEYNING, WASHINGTON, CLAPHAM AND HIGHDOWN HILL

Capitalising on the convenience of the number 100 bus and a return train journey from Littlehampton, I chose a walk that wasn't too taxing gradient-wise, going west but finished on a high. I wanted the beach but a hurty hip slowed me down. I finished me at Goring.

Getting to Littlehampton is probably a bit ambitious but you might manage it if you avoid the diversion at Woods Mill and Highdown Gardens but then, why would you?

You can catch the 100 towards Horsham from Church Road in Burgess Hill. If you get off at Woods Mill, just south of the town, you can have a lovely wander in this Sussex Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. I heard nightingales, blackcaps, thrushes and warblers, all in full raucous song.

Once you've had your fill at the Reserve, exit onto the main road, the A2037 and go south a little way. On the right, take the footpath going west and stay on it, towards the Adur. There's a pleasantly open and lonesome feel on this tributary. Herons and swans were feeding in the grass.

You'll meet the Downs Link. This can be a bit dull for walking but a tree full of nesting herons or were they great white egrets(?) proved very entertaining. Go southwest and cross the river. Stay on the link as it veers westward and leave it at the T junction and go north, briefly, to the footpath. Rounding the bend on Wyckham Lane, you go west past Shelleys. A trig lies parallel the road to the north, just so as you know.

Take the first available track to the south past Natts Cottages and then west. You'll be well directed around the field and south again. Here I found some horsetails which I'm told you can eat like asparagus if they are newly shooted. I was instantly reminded of my dad explaining to me how old these plants are. We're talking Jurassic. With all the sights of herons, that in flight, remind me of pterosaurs, I was transported. The sense of wonder on my physical journey is a gift he gave that moves me in space and time. It's like walking in four dimensions and it's why I do it.

Cross the A283 and continue between the houses at the back side of Steyning on Reads Walk. You'll pass the schools and bear right onto Breach Close, to exit onto the road at the Star Inn. Head north and take Mouse Lane on the left. A track lies on the left and is the gateway of the Steyning Downland Scheme. Here you can learn something of the formation of the South Downs and geological time. The route runs just south of the Mouse Lane and following its general direction westward. Bear right on the footpath into the field from the main track You'll enter the Wiston Estate and cross Chanctonbury Ring Road at Great Barn Farm. You are at the foot of the South Downs and Chanctonbury Ring is a constant landmark as well as good views northwards. Taking this bridleway, it enters the woods and ventures a little upward as it crosses Combe Holt.

You exit the woods and behold views to the north as you join the South Downs Way at Washington Pressure Reducing Station. The pressure was off when I realised I would be guided over the A24. There is a convenient water tap on the other side and then leave the South Downs Way and go south past Windlesham House School as directed. At Highden Barn, follow the road south to the wedding guest parking and beyond. Skirt the edge of Pigeonhouse Plantation and then shimmy west to the parallel path south. You'll meet the A280 and cross it. Take the path on the western side of Church Hill and the following, westernmost choices that run parallel with the road below. My hip was inexplicably seizing up and the last dregs of phone battery were dissipating. My last photo was of a sheep that had moments before given birth with a two lambs, not yet dry. It was at this point that a red kite settled in the field and then rose a few metres above my head, artfully turning its distinctive tail feathers to hold its position. You'll enter Clapham Woods on your way to Clapham Church. Many bluebells, as befits April.

Cross the grounds and exit the lych gate to continue south. You cross The Street and continue past the West Sussex County Council Depot before turning west to meet the A280 again. Go south and at the roundabouts, continue on the eastern side. On the second roundabout, your exit is off Tilnore Lane, going south on Pot Lane.

Soon after, you enter Highdown Copse, Highdown Hill announces itself. The hill is impresive and I would have preferred more of a walk round here but the body and the hands of time were not willing. A beautiful view of the coast opens out. Bearing southwest, you avoid the very top but reach The Miller's Tomb before reaching the car park at Highdown Gardens. The Tea Rooms are just next to The Highdown pub. I popped into the gardens, not knowing what time it was and was instantly crapped on by a beautiful blackbird in song. Luckily the toilets are at the entrance. A final nail lay in the form of another rain shower and the tea rooms being shut.

My hip was knackered and time was up so I descended Highdown Rise and went east on the A259. South gets you to to Goring-by-Sea Station to return on the Victoria train.