Bridleway Hailsham 68c
(was Hailsham 11 on
my old def.map.)
Welbury Farm Entrance on junction of Hempstead Lane
with A22, across to Horsebridge.
Not one
you are likely to use until the day they (the flying pigs, or is it the pink
elephant) update the crossing of the A22 , when it will be useful for those
riding down Hemstead West BR to get across to the cuckoo trail at Horsebridge
or over to Broad Farm BRs.
To start off you will have
to navigate through the forest of 57 road signs at this junction, but don't
worry you will be perfectly safe 'cos one of these is a 'horse crossing' sign.
Whoops!, they have hidden it behind a 'cyclists crossing' sign.
Oh well with any luck you wrote off the car as well as yourself.
Well done, you have safely
reached the entrance to our Bridlepath.
The gate is for ramblers,
half the width a bridlegate should be.
Pleased to report this has now been replaced by a proper bridle gate. Thank
you Jo, the Enfocement Officer for RoW.
Across this good grass then
a pukka bridlegate in a fenceline. Fine but not BS5709 compliant as underfoot
is not level and mind the rotten sleeper.
Now you can have a nice gallop across to the next gate.
Not too sure how you will
get through this nice modern bridlegate. I would advise jumping the fence alongside
as safer.
There is a nasty sharp bit of angleiron at hock height on one side holding up
the post. On the other side wicked looking weights protrude to catch you.
These weights are chained to slam the gate shut on you, trapping your legs if not your horse. Mounted or dismounted you will be a clever person to get through here with your horse.
You will now ride up a 3m
strip left by the developers, someone must remind them that judging by the existing
bridge this should be 4m.
Mind all the protruding manhole covers by the way.
Yet another gate, again a lovely BS5709 bridlegate, well it was BS once....
Just don't slice your leg or the horses flanks on the sharp edges where they
have knocked in the post deeper 'cos the gate has sagged. Might have a job opening
from the other way because it does not have the BS one metre space so you can
get to the catch on horseback.
This gate has been removed as unnecessary. Thank you Jo
Another short stretch between
new and newer houses, over a new road, and onto the next 3m wide stretch.
2.5m, 2m, can it get narrower. Yes it can, breathe in. Oh and I nearly forgot,
duck your head, lower, lower.
Next
exciting installment later, as the path is blocked by a fence erected by householders
in the new estate. Guess I could try this trick on the A22.
Pleased to say that the Planning Inspector has agreed with ESCC's proposal
to have this reopened
If you could get through you will exit on the A271. Turn right and you will get to the cuckoo walk. Turn left and you will be able to get to a bridleway leading towards Broad Fm, and all the paths towards East Hoathly.