Thursday 22nd March 2018. An ascent of Newmarket Hill 200m/107m and Bullock Hill 195m/11m, Sussex, from central Brighton. 19.0km, with 290m of ascent. 4hrs 30mins.

Tired of car-driving after my latest tussle with the M25 on the previous day, I took a train to Brighton from East Croydon for a hike on the South Downs. I am always amazed at how lonely and unfrequented the tops of these hills can be, given the seething mass of humanity below them. The chalk downland is also much richer in flora and fauna than the hills of my homeland, and this adds to enjoyment - in compensation for their lowly height.

After lunch near the railway station, the first part of my hike was through an urban and suburban landscape. It had been many years since I had visited this city (see at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brighton). I have always liked the place for its individuality and rich diversity, not to mention Green credentials. My views were reinforced today.

Leaving the city centre, I climbed up through rows of terraced houses to the race course on top of the downs. I followed the edge of the race track for a kilometre or so, as the main objective of my hike came into view - Newmarket Hill. Crossing the main road, I followed a marked trail along the edge of the escarpment above Bevendean. The path was quiet, with just the occasional walker, jogger and horse-rider. I reached another main road across the downs. This was quite dangerous to negotiate, and I had to wait some time before I had the opportunity of darting across to the other side.

Beyond lay a chalk track up to the aerial on the northern end of the hill. After a few hundred metres, I left the track to reach the flat summit. It was anyone's guess where the true highest point lay in the flinty field, currently lying fallow. I wondered around trying to determine the position, but soon gave up.

Heading back to the track, I headed down to the road, turning east for a little way on another trail to visit the summit of Bullock Hill. Although three metres lower than its neighbour, this hill is considered, for some reason, to be the high point in the city. This summit had a trig point as a summit feature, and the view east to the chalk cliffs beyond Newhaven was much superior to that from Newmarket Hill.

Returning to the main road and crossing without injury, I followed the trail back to the race course. I continued heading south along the gently descending ridge of Red Hill to the golf clubhouse. Entering suburbia again, I walked south to the sea-front near the marina. A hike of two kilometres west along the beach path brought me to the one remaining pier - an impressive structure. I walked its length out to sea and back again, buying a stick of traditional Brighton rock (see at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_(confectionery)) to mark the occasion.

It was now close to sunset and I needed to head back. A stroll through the busy streets past the Royal Pavilion (see at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Pavilion) brought me back to my starting point.