July 2008 Archives

I really enjoyed watching and listening to this fellow. 25 minutes flew by! Update: Aww, shucks, they've removed the video. Search You tube for Bob Ross
No answers here, but a stunning visual representation of life.

We started at Iping Church in West Sussex, heading east towards Chithurst. In the first field behind the church, with horse trial paraphernalia in the middle and close cut grass, a dog joined us, running around and barking excitedly. He came with us as far as the stream whereby he stood in the water waiting for us to do something that usually happens when he stands in the stream.

SNV13056.JPG.jpgBy now the sun was out. The next field, just before Chithurst was horsey two, with new cresote fences enclosing thoughbreds, one with a very young pony.

SNV13057.JPG.jpgWe passed through Chithust just south of the Monastery, heading northe through an orchard of a variety of tall narrow trees, maybe being grown for towns and cities, then into a lovely meadow with views of the South Downs. The soil around here was very sandy, the paths being like those to a beach.

Sandy path.jpgThen it was into the woods, Wick Wood then Hammer Wood. There was a garden open for charity so we had a look but it was more of a garden party, with creepy jazz music and men in cream suits cooking meat. We about turned, haunted by the music through the dark woods, floowing the steep bank. Very old trees. The last of the wood was managed by the monastery, where monks and nuns sit in solitude in huts among the trees. We left the woods where the nuns have their accommodation. Tibetan prayer flags in an English wood.

Prayer Flags Hammer Wood.jpgThen it was up the dark sunken lane and back into the sun, to follow the Lane back to Iping, home of the Invisible Man by H G Wells.

Not a 'Head Walk', whatever that is, but Cheesefoot Head is a viewpoint at the western end of the South Downs, close to Winchester.

SNV13051.jpgI parked the scooter in the small carpark, after a very windy ride. The gales were strong up on the downs but that was the point, to feel the wind high up, warm on a sunny July morning.

I headed south through field of wheat, swaying and flowing in the wind, switching directions, oceanic. At least, I think it was wheat.

SNV13003.JPG.jpgIt was an open walk, with great views

Longwood Warren.JPG.jpgSometimes poppies among the grain

SNV12999.JPG.jpgThen crossed the A272, heading north along Rodfield Lane, before picking up the South Downs Way, feeling like I was in the grain belt of England, or America

Mount Pleasant.JPG.jpgThe tone changed as I came upon a field being converted into some kind of tank playground, exposing the chalk beneath

Tanks.JPG.jpgThen it was into the trees to return through Temple Valley to Cheesfoot, with views over Chilcomb down

Chilcomb Down.JPG.jpg