Our Walking Holiday in the South Downs
We always describe the holidays as Monday to Friday (in the recent case 8 – 12 April 2019) but of course the Monday and Friday are for travelling and many people stop off at some interesting place on the way, such as Petworth House and Park this April.
We had three days of walks – three medium (around 7 miles) and three long (around 11 miles). The weather forecast was a bit ‘iffy’ but in the event only one day had showers. The hotel ‘boot room’ was well able to cope with our footwear and waterproofs.
The hotel – Abingworth Hall - was a lovely 4-star Holiday Fellowship place set in 7 acres of grounds with a small lake, ducks and a very pretty and colourful rockery. It was on the site of earlier mansions but the last one burnt down in 1910 and the present Hall was soon built and owned in the 1920s by Sir Oswald Mosely (not that one, his father). Since it opened as an HF Hotel it has had the same manager, Heather. She and her staff were extremely friendly and helpful. There was a painting group staying at the hotel and they had a mini-exhibition of their work on the last evening.
The walks took in the River Arun and Arundel, Cissbury and Canctonbury Rings, the South Downs (with views), Pulborough Levels (and nature reserve), local churches and cake!
All in all a very enjoyable time, as always. Ron thanked the people who made it so good, but it is worth doing again, in writing to everyone - the holiday would not have been possible without the hard work, attention to detail and ‘marketing’ of Maggie Hills. The walk leaders were essential (after all, this was a walking holiday!) so huge thanks to Chris & Rita Bintcliffe, Kaye Gough, Liz Hewitt, Marian Waters, Ron & Vinny Knowles. Jackie Oversby laid on a treasure hunt in the lounge – not compulsory at all but it generated a huge amount of pleasure. All of this would have been wasted if a good crowd had not come – so thanks to everyone who participated.