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the Ring, a weekend walk ...

Chanctonbury Ring (known as Chanklebury in Sussex dialect) dates back to the Bronze Age, and later in history a small Iron Age hillfort was built on the site. Romans came and built a temple, and in the reign of Elizabeth 1st, a beacon was placed on the crest to warn of the approach of the Spanish Armada.
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Beech trees planted on the site by Charles Goring in 1760 are a prominent landmark. The Great Storm of 1987 brought much damage, and now stands a shadow of its former self.



After many weeks of torrential rain, on the first stage of our walk we had a great time slip-sliding along a very boggy track, ankle deep in mud. There's terrific views of the surrounding countryside from here, and you can see Rock Mill from through these trees. You then enter into dense woodland ascending as you go, still slippery with piles of leaf litter, and damp moss underfoot.



Much folklore surrounds. Sleep under the trees for one night to increase fertility.



Run around the clump of trees seven times anti-clockwise, and the devil will appear offering a bowl of soup in exchange for your soul.



Recite a Midsummers Nights Dream at Summer Solstice, and magic little people will appear.



At this stage, 783ft above sea level with no protection from the elements, we were uplifted by the force of the wind. Exhilerating it was to blow away the cobwebs spun after yet another manic week at work. Apart from a few spits and spots we escaped the worse of the weather, and could see rain over many parts of West Sussex, and if you look closely you can see the end of a rainbow too.



Working up a gentle canter, it's now downhill all the way, with great views of the sea below.

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The South Downs Way is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is soon to become a National Park.

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It's important to have time to yourself, peace and quiet, and only towards the end of our walk did we start to meet with cyclists and dog walkers.

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Being chalk downland, it's slippery when wet, like an ice rink. A few years back this was the very spot were I came down to earth with a great bump!

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A moonlight walk sounds interesting. With much rumour of the supernatural frequenting this area, go at your peril!

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an eco garden ...

A squally weather front has been moving east.



On Sunday we took a walk along the promenade in Worthing.



Where the promenade comes to an end on the western side of the pier, is an eco-garden set up to encourage the conservation of water.

An area on shingle beach, with wooden sculptures and seashore plants. Plants which thrive on water from rainfall alone.



A waxy coating to the leaves of plants will help to reduce water loss.



The sculptures would look really good in our garden, in any garden.



Like me, you may have an area in your garden which in summer turns to desert. It makes ecological sense to enhance the naturally dry, sun-baked conditions instead of constantly trying to alter it.

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There is still colour to be seen amongst the pebbles, even in November.

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Many plants in a seashore garden will naturally self-seed which adds to an uncontrived effect.

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A useful idea or two can be taken away of how to create a water-saving garden of your own.

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country ways ...

What a difference a day makes, today storm clouds are looming with threat of rain.



We decided to get out and about early, and take a walk in West Sussex countryside at Shermanbury.




Through fields of yellow buttercups.



Along green country lanes.



Pink flowers of Red Campion amongst the hedgerows.



An old stump sits amongst white wildflowers.



No picnicking here for a while! Hmm, maybe down to the English weather?

We made the decision to cut our walk short and managed to leg it back to the car before the heavens opened.

On the way home we took refuge at The Orchard Restaurant in Cowfold, where we had a Full English breakfast!

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