As we drank tea in bed this morning we talked about where we would go for our walk today, Willow doesn’t run consecutive days but we’d agreed this week we will get out every morning. I looked up the nearest bluebell woods that aren’t far away but not quite sure where and even with Sat Nav I could see us driving around unfamiliar lanes and eventually giving up and coming home! Willow said what about that big hill? ooo Chanctonbury Ring!!!
We were out the door and in the car before you could say am I well enough for steep hills?
Weather cloudy but 11degrees, I wore shorts Willow looked very smart in jeans.
15 minutes later we were parking in the free car park and off we went.
It is steep, 241 metres above sea level and 2k to the top , It is rugged, rough pathways through the trees. Willow is one paced and went off ahead while I stopped to take photos and ran to catch him up.
Before we expected we came out of the woods and onto the wider more undulating track, it’s stony and loose underfoot but easier to walk than the steep woods. So I ran a little way, of course i did.
Through a gate and looking up to the ring, out across the fields and valleys of Sussex and turn round and we can just see the sea!!
Walked/ran onwards and upwards towards the top, went through rather than round then round the other side. It’s hazy but still worth seeing. More photos, Willow giving me a history lesson, walked and stopped and walked again.
Turn to go back down, green fields smooth beside the path we just couldn’t resist 😀we ran.
Back through the woods, in some places so steep we wondered if we’d go head over heels, some places the track is wider and we ran, jumping over tree roots, laughing as we went.
Being out in the fresh air and moving is good. We covered just over 5k in 1hr 19 mins, considering all the stops that’s not bad, each k going up around 17 min each k coming back down around 13 min fastest pace 6.20kpm
Really enjoyed that. Came home tea and a bowl of fruit, roast dinner in oven and pondering which pic to post 😀 the views are delightful
Thanks for reading, happy Tuesday
The sky looks gloomy but the sun shone in the valley far below and then shone on us as we ran down the hill