Preston Park to Hassocks Station - 14 miles, 8 peaks
In my quest to bag all the peaks in the South Downs, I kicked off proceedings with a great walk from Preston Park to Hassocks train station... 14 miles plotted on Komoot to get as close to the 8 peaks as possible.
I couldn't get close enough to Sweet Hill to automatically bag it as it was a field full of cows with no obvious access, I added it manually afterwards as I felt I had done all I could to get close. Varncombe Hill I was lucky the cows moved away and I could slip in for a quick bag!
Chattri War memorial was a highlight among all the other delights of animals and views. Weather a much needed respite with cooler temps and cloud cover even though all the fields look like Westfall!
Pit stop courtesy of The Wildflower Cafe in Saddlescombe Farm complete with resident chickens and a cockerel who joined me for coffee and cake! Great to have WC and fresh water to refill on tap.
My knees really hurt coming down from Wolstonbury Hill, that's a first for me, but at 52 I think I'm lucky to get this far with no aches and pains! Time for some specific exercises and investing in some hiking poles methinks!
Overall, a great walk and would recommend!