Eartham Wood walk on 7th February 2024

Eight of us were lead by Isabel on a 4.9 mile walk starting at the car park in Eartham Wood. We were soon on Stane Street, the old Roman road and Monarch’s Way trail, marching in Roman fashion we headed in a straight line all the way through Eartham Wood. On reaching the six ways signpost, also known as Shippams Poste after the famous sandwich filler family, we stayed with the Roman theme and went straight on under the branches of the ancient trees until we got to the Gumber. Turning right we ducked into the Gumber Bothy covered picnic spot, spreading our coffee break fare on the tables and took the weight of our legs on the benches. The National Trust and West Sussex Council blue plaque’s reference to Hilaire Belloc caused some head scratching. Belloc's Sonnets and Verse (1923) contains the phrase "lift up your hearts in Gumber" which is why it is written on the plaque. Continuing through woodland in a southerly direction we came to Warren Barn where we forked right staying at the edge of woodland before head west and homeward towards The Plain and back into Eartham Woods. On reaching the road, turning right brought us back to the route of Stane Street and Monarch’s Way we retraced our earlier steps to the car park. Although the weather was drizzly and misty, our spirits were not dampened and once changed, we headed to The George in Eartham for our lunch.