Programme of walks Spring & Summer 2009

Here is the latest list of walks for the Summer. Most are between 4 and 6 miles long and take 2 to 3 hours. They are carefully researched to include a variety of scenery, to be generally away from the noise of traffic and always include less frequented walking tracks. The routes are all checked out beforehand to make sure paths are accessible and stiles in working order. Meeting points and routes may change in response to weather conditions or other factors. Barring such extreme conditions as thick snow or gail force winds the walks go ahead even when the sun isn't shining.

There will be also be extra walks added throughout the season so keep checking the website or contact me if you wish to be added to the Soles & Souls mailing list. Walks cost £5 unless otherwise stated, and they always include a refreshment break. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed. Please let me know if you’d like to book on any of these walks - they are very popular and I want to keep the size of the groups comfortable! I look forward to walking with you soon.

Friday 5 June, 10am: Orchids and Ancient Chalk Grassland
A chance to walk through Castle Hill, a fine example of traditionally managed grassland with its summer orchids.

Wednesday 10 June, 7pm - Milton Street
A variety of scenery and features on this evening walk, ending up with a drink at the Sussex Ox in Milton Street.

Sunday June 21, 5pm: Midsummer at High & Over
Enjoy an early evening walk to High & Over on the day of the summer solstice.

Monday 6 July, 7pm - Mount Caburn
Come and share stories about the full moon on the top of Mount Caburn! We will return for a drink at the Trevor Arms in Glynde.

Saturday July 18, 2pm: Long Man’s Walk
Explore some of the most stunning scenery on the Downs from Wilmington and hear about the mystery of the Long Man.

Sunday August 2, 2pm: Woodland and Water
A cooling walk along the Ouse and through nearby woodland in the height of summer.

Sunday August 16, 10.30am: Another Sussex Cannibal
An easy walk through the fields and woodlands around East Hoathly.
(Led by Heather Hicks)

Tuesday September 22, 10am: Chailey Trails
A walk through Chailey’s enchanted woodlands on the autumn equinox.

Sunday September 27, 2pm: Foraging at Firle
Another walk with wild food specialist Anna Richardson focusing on Autumn plants for use in food and medicine. £7 payable in advance.

3&4 October: Around Alfriston - Residential walking weekend
Two days exploring the wonderful variety of countryside around Alfriston and walking mindfully, while staying at at the Dean's Place, a fine country hotel. http://www.deansplacehotel.co.uk 01323 870248 to book.

Saturday 10 October, 2.30pm: Natural Navigation
Part walk, park course, Tristan Gooley, "the only living person to have both flown solo and sailed single-handed across the Atlantic", will show us how to use signs from nature to navigate our way as we walk. £10 payable in advance. This walk will be popular so please book early through me to ensure a place.
http://www.naturalnavigator.com

Cancellations: Please let me know if you've booked on a walk and are unable to come as I often have a waiting list. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice for reasons other than bad weather or sudden illness I would request that you pay for the walk.

Tailor-made walks

I can arrange tailor-made walks for work or social occasions. Please call me on 01273 813722 to find out more.

How to book

Contact Louise Gorst:
by email info@solesandsouls.co.uk
by phone on 01273 813722
Please contact me if you would like me to send you a brochure.

Keep updated!

If you would like to receive details of walks directly to your mailbox, email me at info@solesandsouls.co.uk and I will keep you updated.

Previous walks

Saturday 4 April - Spring Greens
"On a personal note I so enjoyed our walk together and hope you found inspiration and appreciation for the abundant gifts of the wild plants around us. I would encourage you to do some research and check information I have given if you intend to use the plants. I recommend referring to at least 2 wildflower guides so you can double check – the pictures can vary so much. If you feel wary just stick to what you feel confident with. Nettle is the perfect plant to really get to know as it is abundant, easy to recognise, really safe and amazingly good for you. Good luck and happy munching!" Anna Richardson, co-walk leader

Sunday 29 March - Plumpton
"I felt I had to tell you how much I enjoyed the walk today - the first of Summer and a sunny one. I had, of course, been with you before but it was some time ago and I had forgotten how good your walks were, the silent parts making them special. It was a wonderful walk for wild flowers : primroses and sheets of white anemones in the woods, a pink-flowered quince covering a cottage wall, with blue periwinkles, daffodils, tiny purple and white violets on the banks. It was lovely, too, to see the tight green buds on the trees beginning to unfurl and the hawthorn blossom in the hedgerows. That's the great thing about your walks ­ you have time to notice things like this. I wished I''d brought my camera when we stopped at East Chiltington church with its porch gate wreathed in yellow roses and mimosa. And to catch that look of superiority those long-necked lamas seemed to be giving us as we went across what I'm sure they considered was their field.

Towards the end of the walk, in a quiet spell, you could see the sun really glittering on the long grass and how, in a few weeks, the bluebells would be carpeting the woods we were walking through. I'd love to go back there at that time if only I could remember how to get there! Lunch in the Half Moon pub rounded off one of my nicest Sundays for a long time."
Angela Wigglesworth, Lewes

Thursday 1 January - Firle Beaon
"The New Year’s walk up to Firle Beacon was a really lovely experience – a group of people who were fun to be with, the encounters with inhabitants of the hill (weren’t those ponies great?) and the total sensory experience of the walk really set me up for the year. And although I was a little resistant to New Year’s resolutions, I did resolve to keep much more in touch with friends living elsewhere in the country – so far I’m not doing too badly! Many thanks to Kay for carrying that bottle of champagne up the hill – what a lovely thought and surprise!" Lesley Healey, Lewes

Friday 20 April - Firle Beacon
"On an April morning a goodly group of us set out from the top of Firle Beacon towards South Heighton. Our lively chatter lessened as the magic of the landscape began to work on us and a skylark sang above. For a while we walked in silence and, as a newcomer to Soles and Souls, I revelled in the company and quiet as we opened to the surrounding countryside. Through Home Bottom we walked with Poverty Bottom in the distance. At Stump Bottom we stopped for a break and a look at the badger sets then, no longer bottoming out, we climbed and rose up over Snap Hill to be met by a stunning view of the sea, Newhaven and the ferry. Here we turned right to wade through a sea of yellow rape, emerging to find Piddinghoe and its pond like toytown below us. A long uphill climb past America farm and the radio masts took us back to Firle Beacon, the sighting of a honey buzzard and a picnic in the sun. What a great way to spend a morning!" Hazel Collinson, Lewes

Tuesday 23 January - Isfield
"I had thought about joining a walking group for some time but never seemed to get round to it. Then I heard about Soles and Souls which sounded like my kind of thing. My first walk with them fulfilled all my expectations. A group of seven of us met at Isfield Car Park including our very friendly leader, Louise. We walked across the fields, along the river, through woodland and back onto a country lane to the Anchor Inn at Barcombe where we were welcomed by the landlord with a cup of coffee and a warming log fire.

We then continued on our way back to the car park. The best thing about the walks with Soles and Souls is that there is a period of enforced silence when you are free to think about whatever you want or just enjoy the peace and quiet of our lovely countryside. I personally found the silence therapeutic as I sadly lost my husband a few months ago and it allowed me the time to just be 'inthe moment' with my thoughts. I will definitely be going on the next walk and can thoroughly recommend it to people who enjoy walking but also communing with nature." Heather Hicks, Kingston

Sunday 3 December - Kingston
"When I woke on Sunday morning to the the winter rain lashing down outside, I thought the prospect for my first Soles and Souls walk was dubious, to say the least. However by the time we reached the meeting point the sky had cleared and the gusty wind was sending the clouds racing across a blue sky. Our route took us up high onto Kingston Ridge where the village below seemed like a model to us and the sun and cloud changes seemed miraculous. One minute gloom, the next bright cheer. The wind pushed us along the top and the mud tried hard to halt our progress once we'd come down into the fields. I felt so pleased that I had decided to go and not let the rain keep me indoors. I loved the route, the changes of landscape and especially the stages of silent walking where I could really take in all the colours and scenes around me. And as we neared our destination and the sun set, the full moon rose before us, ghostly against the darkening blue sky. Beautiful. I loved every minute of it!" Chloe Alexander, Lewes