Sunday 22nd
June 2008
Arundel - South Stoke - North Stoke - Amberley - Rackham hill - Amberley Castle
- Amberley
12.5 miles
*****
☼
The weather was still
bad at 9:55 when we got the train at Crawley, but when all eight of us got off
the train at Arundel the sun was beaming. For the rest of the day the
temperature was perfect with a cool breeze.
Everyone did amazingly well seeing as they were forced to walk 12 miles in the
hot sun over hill and dale. This was probably the furthest everyone had walked
before and they were all remarkably fresh at the end. That must be in part due
to the beautiful surroundings that raised the spirits and left everyone feeling
relaxed and happy.
The cold cider at the end really hit the spot too!
Fresh and ready to start at Arundel
Walking through Arundel Park up to the triangular tower
Over the downs and through the park spotting buzzards and kestrels on the way.
We saw a kestrel swoop down, grab some poor unfortunate little mammal and take
it to a fence post for devouring.
Down a lush pathway to the river Arun
We exited Arundel Park via this kissing
gate.
The wall goes right around the huge estate!
To South Stoke church for lunch
Here we were joined by the church cat that was lured by Vicky's tuna.
Our route was changed due to a closed footpath, but the detour along the river
was very picturesque
The detour also gave us a great view of South Stoke
By the time we got to North Stoke it was
getting so hot that we took shelter under a yew in the churchyard
On through North Stoke to Amberley, where, while we were drinking some excellent
tea at the cafe,
we were able to watch a peregrine floating above the cliffs.
Then up onto the Downs and through Springhead
Estate
and up Rackham Hill for the view.....
.....which was stunning!
Everyone was very happy to hear that it was all downhill from now on
Yellowhammer
Then we made our way down past Amberley castle and to the river to look for barn
owls.
It was a perfect evening for lazing about by the river
A very short view of the barn owl. I think
I pressed the record button twice and missed most of it. Oh well!
Even the view from the station is good! What a place.
The full list of the
birds we saw (or heard): Coot, Mallard, Kestrel, House Martin, Swallow, Swift, Carrion
Crow, Rook, Wood Pigeon, Wren,
Black-headed Gull, Buzzard, Blackcap, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song
Thrush, Peregrine, Skylark, Meadow Pipit,
Greenfinch, Linnet, Wheatear, Goldfinch, Barn Owl, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer,
Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail, Blackbird.