C Y C R a m b l e r s
Duncton Ramble , 9th December 2017 - by David and Stella Ingram
Fifty walkers ( is this a record ?) set off at 10am on a brisk and sunny morning from the Cricketers Pub in Duncton . After a gentle ascent up Dyehouse Lane we passed Duncton Mill and the trout fishery before turning towards Barlavington .
The views over downland towards Petworth were excellent in clear air - we were lucky after several days of rain and the frost helped to harden the muddy parts . We walked through the churchyard at Barlavington and thence cross country to skirt Sutton village and used the road back to a wooded track where we had coffee . There were a couple of minor falls on the frozen road surface but luckily no injuries .
After the break we headed back via the now completed dam with Chingford pond on our left . Then through Burton Park where this photograph was taken beside an ancient Sweet Chestnut tree ( probably 400 years old ) and back to the pub ( 5 miles in all ).
The 46 of us who stayed to eat had drinks and the food orders were efficiently served to all in the old skittle alley , now an excellent restaurant venue , by 12.45 .
The weather the following day proved our good fortune as not only was there a downpour and gale force winds but Duncton Hill was closed to all traffic !
There are 23 more photos , uploaded by John Gosnell , in the Yogile album on the website . We thoroughly enjoyed the walk , the company and our thanks go to all participants .
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