Chichester Yacht Club Magazine December 2017 | Page 16

CYC Ramblers
An energetic walk from Chalton, Saturday 11 November
- by John and Jane Gosnell
An ominous start, we
woke to a day of 10/10
cloud and drizzle. Oh
well, we thought, it can
only get better. Driving to
Chalton we were relieved
to note that the Downs
weren’t completely
shrouded in low cloud. A
cheery welcome from the
manager of The Red Lion
and the queue for lunch
orders grew steadily as
stoic CYC members
arrived, and everyone in
good time too.
now converted to as
house and currently
available for about £1
million.
The hard climb done, we
ambled gently downhill,
broad paths allowing lots
of chat. From the ridge
we peered into the gloom
and managed to pick out
Langstone harbour in the
distance.
We approached the
rickety stiles noted on our
recce in the summer, and
were greatly relieved to
find them replaced with
new kissing gates.
Orders placed, a brief
history of the hamlet
given and 37 of CYC’s
best headed off. Not too
much time for a warm up
Passing through a wood
section of walk first. It was
and
we were treated to the
Almost there—the long climb uphill
soon head down and up,
soft and varied colours of
and then more up as the
autumn.
promised steep slope headed to the skyline.
Amidst some puffing and panting we regrouped Before long we were on the return leg, more
at the top before walking to the old Windmill,
uphill, but gentler this time. As we reached the
summit the near 360-degree views made the
climb worthwhile. All too soon we were
descending, the church at Chalton appearing
suddenly in front of us.
Turning the final corner the welcome face of
The Red Lion beckoned us on for the last few
hundred yards. We managed to fill the dining
room where 40 hungry diners had the great
satisfaction of having completed one of the
tougher of the CYC walks. We all felt we had
earned our lunch.
CYC Ramblers— breaking all the rules!
16
Thanks to all those who came, despite the
weather, we enjoyed leading the walk of such a
cheery group.