Sparkling Seas and White Orchids

During lock-down, the seaside has been a bit out of bounds.
 I was starting to get withdrawal symptoms.

So last weekend we decided to walk to Pett Level.

Oh it was a lovely day.

It took us about 45 minutes and 45 minutes back.

Our village was looking lovely with wild flowers spilling onto the verges, bright pink camellias and clematis dripping over walls and fences. 

We used the newish footpath which is much safer .... on one side, sheep with their little lambs and Fairlight Church in the far distance.

 At the top of Chick Hill we saw the sea sparkling in front of us, as we have done many times before. But this time I felt somewhat emotional and as if to endorse that feeling we found these beautiful orchids.

We came to the Military Canal and walked along the right hand side, cutting across to the old Smugglers.

We walked slowly up the ramp, savouring the moment.

And then there it was in all its glory and we had it almost entirely to ourselves.

We crunched along the shingle enjoying the salty air and just being there.

We doubled back after a quick snack, mindful of not hanging around for too long.

We managed Chick Hill (25% gradient) quite easily. We feel rather fit after all our walking.

I was minded of my 4 year old self, walking up the hill with my Mum and Dad and Paula, my sister, no doubt being carried, to wait at the bus stop, sitting on the grassy bank, tired after a day on the beach.

It is a very strong memory.

These were the days before we had a car.

When we did get a car, my Mum always preferred to sit in the back, mainly due to Chick Hill. The cars we had then were unlikely to make it to the top without stopping and we would have to make a re-run. Mum sat with her hands over her eyes, she was fearful of rolling backwards.

Young people with cars today, have no idea.

Here is that bus turning point, still used today for our somewhat infrequent bus service.

Coming back through the village, we made our way home for an elongated lunch break.

How lucky we are to live so close to the sea and how hard it is not to visit so regularly.
Pett Level means a lot to us for all kinds of reasons.

Jumping Streams and Fallen Bridges

After having seen the landslide, we rounded the corner to find a stunning area of wild flowers.

Here are just some of the flowers we saw there.

Daisy, wild thyme, celandines, scarlet pimpernel,

buttercup.

The woodland area surrounding the site of the old watermill seemed to be full of wild cherry trees.

We passed the huge ponds which have been cut off for some years, to protect wildlife... I think it must have been a holding area for the watermill.

As we rounded this field, we could see a bank of bluebells in the far distance so we headed towards those.

What a sight!

 We crossed a wide bridge, obviously not quite wide enough for the tractor!

Our next obstacle was a deep stream, cut to drain the fields I suppose. Before I knew it Steve had jumped across which I thought was too foolhardy for me, seeing as the other side was thick stinging nettles, so I found an easier way over and Steve helped me up the other side to save getting stung. 

Throughout the walk we were either accompanied by robins or butterflies.

We walked the field that borders the length of Guestling Wood, with Guestling Church higher up the field on our right.

We entered the wood, to drifts of bluebells as far as the eye could see, by then, starving hungry and ready for a rest.

And so home for a lovely lunch in the garden room and a long snooze, after 6k and 9000 steps.

Here are a few more photos from the memorable walk.

Milkmaids, red campion, anemones, violets, celandines.

How lucky we are to live here, such a beautiful area.

A Walk on the Wild Side

We are creatures of habit, but today we decided to go off the beaten track for a much longer walk.

I took photos of the wonderful diversity of wild flowers we have in this part of the countryside.

It would be a very long blog entry if I include them all so I will choose the best.

We walked right down the lane until we came to the watermill area, wondering at the lane`s sandstone sides from which it has been cut in places. Despite the dryness, the stream that once fed the watermill was running fast. 

In the lane .....

unfurling ferns, scally anne (umbrellifer), dandelion, and I think wild garlic.

We cut up a footpath and around a field, eventually coming to this stunning sight.

 I don`t remember seeing primroses like this 

since I was a child.

I believe this year is a very good year for primroses.

We came out onto the lane once more, climbed a steep bank then the path skirted a field planted up with wheat perhaps. 

The views back to Guestling Wood, the field alongside and other woods full of blossom, was stunning, as was the birdsong.

As we rounded the corner we were astonished to see a quite substantial landslide, but not before we had spotted these orchids, on the very brink.

Any more rain and they might go over.

Already the bluebell bulbs had slid over and had flowered where they landed.

There were ominous cracks across the path. This is the result of the continuous wet weather throughout the winter months.

And there I will stop as I have enough photos to do another blog entry tomorrow.

Positivity amongst the Uncertainty

What strange times we are going through ....

lock-down

self isolation

keeping our distance

only going out for exercise

food deliveries

And some people are going through such sad times.

And some are on the front-line.

 I have been obsessed by daily numbers and graphs but today I have decided not to look any more. 

Just as I am not watching too much news.

I am knitting squares.

Some are for the WI to make up into dressing gowns and some are going to be made into a lap blanket.

The village coffee morning had to be cancelled so we had a virtual one on the village facebook page.

People took photos of themselves with books, knitting and coffee and posted it up.

Quite a few people did it and it was nice to keep in contact.

I am gardening.

The weather has been wonderful.

 

This is my cold frame with bedding almost ready to go out.

I have been writing dozens of cards and letters.

 

These are my home-made cards.

I have been writing poems for the family.

 I am writing memories and articles for the local history archive.

I am doing tai chi, yoga and going for walks in the wood. Luckily for us it is just over the road.

All along the village, there are teddies in the windows for children to spot as they walk with their parents on their daily exercise. At the last count I think it was over 100.

How the children must be enjoying this activity.

Positivity amongst the uncertainty.