Grey sky this morning and as promised, a little cooler for one of our shorter days today but by the time we reached Whiteways the weather was back to sunny-normal. A good plan by our driver today who arrived at the coach-park last, meaning the other 200 or so, had already set off with exception of just a few that took a drink at the bit of unwelcoming looking cafe.
Some seem to 'cheat' here and they walked along besides the busy and narrow A29 cutting off around a half a mile of footpaths........ why do it? We followed the remainder around the edge of a field for a mile just trying to avoid the overgrown and nettle laden path, back onto SDW. An adder was spotted on the margin of the field it was resting, cold or had been struck by yesterday's tractor that was deliberately I am sure, trying to jettison grass over us yesterday afternoon.
Back on our SDW track and crossing the busy A29 then downhill all the way to Houghton, over the River Arun footbridge where a short walk off-piste took us, and quite a few others I may add, to the Riverside Cafe right besides the river, as the name says! This split decision had the benefit of reducing the walkers today to about 50! and we never saw the bulk of them again. 
Proper tea and a shortbread, table service by the river and the sun back out again to set us all up for the long haul up Rackham Hill. Passing the well liked Amberley Historical museum, which is well worth a visit, albeit a bit blokey, if you know what I mean. We are soon to be elevated above the river valley and the views across the downs the weald and over towards the sparkling sea were stunning this morning.The 
thermals must have been good today for the gliders from the air-strip just down below, to be out in such force. One particular glider with pointy up wing ends and the sleek cab styling of a racing car, sped a few feet from the ground besides us several times......too quick to get my camera (phone) out. Others soared higher and looped past us, it looked fairly precarious but I am sure they have a system of low-level avoidance? The soil in this area seemed perfect for nature to put on a spectacular poppy display turning whole fields red. 
Now with the promise of an ice cream at the Roman road crossing of Stane Street, we strolled on still with a full shortbread stomach & with lots of time on our hands as the last coach was 3:45pm today. Frequent views of the track now with no one in front or behind when we were caught up by Kiwi Clive and Lizzy with his now familiar entourage of overly chatty females plus the Aussie doing the walk whilst on holiday in England. Reaching our now familiar maple syrup and pecan ice cream stop we paused for lunch along with about 20 others who were there already. 
The sun was beginning to show its face in force and the air really warming again as we sat in the grass for a good rest making sure we were covered up from the elements. The Family with baby on wife's back, that we saw on the first day's coach, arrived, so we must be slow today as the child certainly didn't look a light weight, plus all the essential paraphernalia it requires for a long day, with a child! We agreed that weight of the child and it's sophisticated back pack seat must put a fair strain on mum (and Dad as we heard later that they swopped frequently), but she seemed cheerful never the less. Off we go with about an hour and half left to walk. Slight indecision from a group of us where the path splits but my new found digital map soon confirmed where we were and where we should go. It was not really necessary, but as I bought it, I was not going to not use it. We could see the Long Furlong and its busy road now in the distance as well as Worthing poking it's head round the corner plus Chanctonbury Ring probably just a few miles away..........on home turf soon. 
Washington village was reached by the newish safe route that avoids playing chicken across the dual carriageway of the A24. It's also very pretty this way as we pass Washington church and a very traditional looking village school. They warned us on the coach this morning but it was still difficult to take the shocking news .........The Franklin Arms closed down 2 weeks ago...horror.....no beer today and no bacon butties in the morning! 
The ladies kindly opened the village hall but somehow it didn't seem the same. We hope it reopens but most times a closed pub remains a closed pub unfortunately. ( yes it reopened and is now doing well)
Our coach back to Shoreham and we had to do a spot of shopping as we were running out of food for evening meals and our daily snacks.