Staveley 8km run

A short run in poor weather with Ian Lyne in a break between hail storms.

Route: exiting the Mill Yard over the footbridge and heading north east to reach the back road and along this (avoiding sodden fields) past the sewage works to the track to Side House over a fallen tree. Up the valley to join the road and down this to Hall Road. A little further on taking the path across fields and pretty bridge to Low Elfhowe and then back via Scroggs Farm.

Conditions: very windy, low cloud and drizzle and later heavier rain.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for Iti, WPA and Cumbrian Five Hop.

Reston Scar 9km circuit

A run in the rain alongside a flooding Kent with Steve Mitchell (visiting for the Bond film).

Route: leaving the car in the Staveley mill yard having first checked that it would not flood and crossing the swollen river by the footbridge to run along the side to Barley Bridge. Along Brow Lane to take the cycle path along the busy A591, turning right on the road uphill to Hugill Hall, along flooded tracks (eventually simply running through the many flooded sections) before turning right on tarmac down into the valley and along the road past the river, which had broken its banks, crossing it and back to the footbridge into the mill yard via Scroggs Farm.

Conditions: constant rain though not torrential and largely flooded under foot.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley for WPA, Cumbrian Five Hop and Brodie’s Prime (and lunch).

Seven Sisters

A damp autumnal walk with Emma and Nathan.

Route: leaving the car at Exceat Bridge and heading south initially on a paved track by water along the valley bottom but later turning left onto the South Downs Way to climb Haven Brow. Then keeping close to the edge of the crumbling chalk cliffs and following an obvious route as far as the visitor centre at Birling Gap. Then back a short way before heading inland over Went Hill to East Dean for a pint. Across fields to climb up to cross the A259 and follow paths in woods round Friston Place and along woodland paths to Westdean. Over a stepped hill back to the start.

Conditions: windy with some light rain.

Pub: the Tiger Inn, East Dean for Tonbridge Union Pale and Beachyhead Legless Rambler.