The first ‘proper’ walk of 2014: from Hassocks to Lewes along the South Downs way. This is walk 29 from the first timeout country walks book.

The first couple of miles are heading from Hassocks and gradually climbing up onto the South Downs. One of the early footpaths is completely submerged, so we have to double back for a clearer path.

A bit of an ascent, passing two old Windmills (nicknamed Jack and Jill) and we join the South Downs way (and can switch from navigating to the autopilot following of the acorn markers). To our left (North) there are excellent views out over the fields. While it’s a nice day for walking and the much reported Saharan dust of the last few days has cleared, its a bit grey, which doesn’t make for the most spectacular photos. We enjoy the views though!

After a few miles we steeply drop down from the main path into the village of Plumpton for our lunch-stop at the Half Moon Inn, with a bit of nervousness that we’re going to have to climb back up again after. The pub is a) almost packed and b) quite the gastropub, so after crow-barring ourselves into the last table we find ourselves picking out sourdough rye-bread BLTs for lunch which I have to grudgingly admit are pretty good.

One steep climb back up onto the downs and we’re making good progress along the path. The views to the North are still great, while to the South we can catch glimpses of the sea at Brighton, which is very welcome as we both hail from seaside towns. And then, almost before we know it we’re arriving into Lewes. Lewes is a pleasant historic town and the route in brings us past Lewes castle, a Norman motte and bailey castle, with two mottes. The other recurring theme in Lewes is that Thomas Paine lived and wrote in the town. Paine authored the Rights of Man, which was an inspiration for the French and American revolutions. Several buildings commemorate where he lived and held meetings, whilst one of the high street pubs is named the Rights of Man.

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