Streets and streams, meadows and woods

We were blessed with glorious weather when we set out on our walk on Tuesday. The company was good, the accumulated knowledge various and willingly shared. We walked uphill and down dale, rested in a field of buttercups, and finished at Eat in the Park.

And no one opted out!

Following a lead, we identified Butcher's Broom (aka Box Holly, Broom, Jew's Myrtle, Knee Holly, Kneeholm, Pettigree, Sweet Broom) growing in Summerfield Woods (whereupon I realised my daughter has it growing in her garden!) Following it up on the Internet, to make sure we were right, I discover that it is recognised as a herb, and has many curative properties.

Like holly and mistletoe, which it resembles, it has separate male and female plants. Flowers are succeeded by scarlet berries which remain through the winter and are often used like holly for room decorations. The name "butcher's broom" probably comes from the old-time practice of using bunches of the twigs tied together to scrub butcher's chopping blocks to remove grease.

Next walk

Pett Levels - Military Canal (3 miles) 27th July 2010

More details, including meeting points and public transport options, will appear here shortly.

See you there?

Tuesday, June 22nd - Walk - Hastings

Parks, Woods & Streetscapes

We assemble at 10am at Hastings Railway Station, by the telephone kiosks on the lower side.

Walking boots and stick are recommended. This is an unusual walk through several of the fine green spaces in Hastings. Although there are places where you are walking in suburban streets, there are also long sections of wood and parkland where you would think you were miles from the town.

Bring sandwiches, or have a well-earned (maybe rather late) lunch at Cafe in the Park, in Alexandra Park.

Four Forays for June 22nd walk!

Walk - Tuesday 22nd June 2010

Yes, four times now I have been out to make sure the route is going to work; I don't have exact timings, but don't let this put you off, there are many points at which you can opt out!

Not that you'll want to, unless, perhaps, it is teeming.

Back in May the first part of the walk was in full Spring bloom, really lovely, it will be interesting to compare. Wasn't all straightforward though, apart from the map misleading me, a path was closed, a tree had fallen across the alternative, and there were all these enticing paths trying to tempt me - but I resisted.

Hope to see you there!

May Walk

On Tuesday 25 May the walk will be on a gentle circular route, about 4 miles, passing through or by old managed woodlands, remnants of the once huge gunpowder industry, attractive farm buildings, the site of the 1066 battle, with some lovely open views.
We meet on Battle Abbey Green at 10.00 a.m. The bus 305 (or it might say 304 on the front - it's the same route) leaves Hastings station at 9.30, Warrior Square 9.38, to arrive at the Green at 10.00. Or the 9.29 train from Hastings will get to Battle Station in plenty of time to walk up the hill to the start point.
Arriving back in Battle after the walk, the 304/305 bus to Hastings goes at 5 minutes to the hour; trains are at 41 minutes past. There are several nice cafes close at hand if there is a wait.

Visiting Hastings?

If you are a tourist in Hastings you are most welcome to join us on a walk. See here for current projected walks

Hastings is a fascinating historical town, which has woods, parks, cliffs and seaside, architecture from mediaeval to 21st Century times, cliff lifts, a pier, (unfortunately closed at present, but we live in hope) and always something going on.

The Old Town is a delight in itself, as is the Fishermen's Beach and then there's the Castle, Pelham Crescent, St Mary's in the Castle, Alexandra Park, a three mile promenade......

See some photos here - http://www.flickr.com/groups/channelhastings/

First Walks

We currently have three planned walks:

1 Battle Walk (see post above) (4 miles) 25th May 2010

2 Hastings - Gothic Groves and Ferny Glens (7 miles) 22nd June 2010

3 Pett Levels - Military Canal (3 miles) 27th July 2010

More details, including meeting points and public transport options, will appear here shortly.