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An early autumn walk around Sedlescombe, East Sussex

29/1/2016

I've just realised that I never posted this walk report! It's a 8.5km (5.5mi), 2-3 hour circular walk starting in Sedlescombe, East Sussex. I hope you enjoy the memories of warmer times . . .

The Brede valley sparkles in the sun after a late morning shower. All around us is evidence of seasonal change: blackberries ripening, sloe bushes crammed with purple berries, and young trees peppered with cobnuts and tiny acorns. We even find some giant puffball mushrooms, big as footballs, in the grass nearby.

The Pump House, Sedlescombe Green.

Giant Puffballs - yes, we took one home and ate it!

But this jumble of late summer growth has its downside for walkers. Our way is soon blocked by undergrowth that seems intent on tormenting us: tangled brambles and dog rose, waist-high stinging nettles and the sharp spikes of thistle and teasel. I whip out the phone and report these obstructions to the Ramblers.

Late summer tangles.

Wood pile.

After battling the thorns, it’s a relief to find our way onto Brede Lane then to slip into the cool shade of Horn’s Wood. Dim, green light filters down (the leaves haven’t yet turned autumnal) and the fresh smell of damp wood suffuses the air. We pass a pile of timber, cross another road and continue, discovering tiny streams and catching flashes of Powdermill Reservoir through the trees.

Green path in Brede High Woods.

Conifers, singing in the breeze.

The sighing of conifers in the wind ushers us along the edge of Brede High Woods. A couple of hours wandering through here could easily turn this walk into a full afternoon’s ramble. A sign informs us that wild Konik horses are grazing here to help “maintain the wildlife-rich mosaic of habitats” of the area . . . but we don't see any!

A splash of colour under a grey sky.

Tall cumulus clouds.

We keep an eye on the cumulus clouds blooming above us as we cross an open field and squeeze along a fence beside some attractive houses. A quick detour allows us to visit the peaceful parish church, but we don’t linger: it’s getting on for lunch and we know the chunky chips at the Queens Head are waiting. One of the problems doing a circular walk from a pub is the lure of food!

Sedlescombe Church peeking out through the trees.

I didn't get a photo of the plums, so have some ripe sloes!

I can’t resist plucking a ripe plum from an overhanging branch as we make the easy downhill stroll back into pretty village of Sedlescombe. The scent of lavender wafts from a nearby garden and the village geese wander around the old pump house on the green. If this sounds rather idyllic, it is. Scratches and stings from our earlier run-ins with the local vegetation forgotten, we relax in the pub’s sunny beer garden and enjoy what might be the last of this summer’s warmth.

A version of this article first appeared in the Battle Observer (read all my articles for the Observer series here). I don't like to be a cliche of a UK-dweller, but I'm already dreaming of the long, warm, slow days of summer . . . the sound of leaves in the breeze . . . the tall grass tickling my legs as I walk . . . the sunshine soaking into the soil . . . ahhh!

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Do the December microadventure round-up do-si-do

9/1/2016

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The earth has tilted and the evenings are slowly getting lighter (or darker), the (Gregorian) calendar has turned and it’s onto another year. December was the last month for our themed microadventures. The challenge was “revisit”: time to revisit places and themes and reflect on the past year.

"A pair of mute swans swimming in the first blush of dawn on the river . . . and a bright 2016 begins." (Gillian)

Allysse: on a bicycle through Kent

Allysse did not let any wintry weather deter her from her final month of microadventure. She writes:

On the second week-end of the December, I hopped on my bike and headed for Kent. I spent three days cycle touring on small lanes between orchards, mansions, fields, and finally the seaside.

Throughout those days and nights I ended up revisiting several themes from previous months but the one that kept coming back was darkness.

The days are short in December, ending around 4pm and I found myself with plenty of time after dark. The first evening I explored the Pinetum at Bedgebury, walking among the pine trees with my head torch as sole guide. The second night I found myself in Whitstable, the lights of the city behind me and the darkness of the sea in front of me. I took a walk on the pebbles, listening to the distant waves and trying not to fall over in the vegetation.

Jonathan and Dan: fiiive oo-oold theeemes

We bandied the idea around of revisiting every theme from the year, but illness scuppered our plans. The themes we did revisit were:

Sunset/sunrise (dusk/dawn). As the days got shorter, our morning commute began in pitch black. But by the time we reached the feet of the South Downs, the sun was rising. If it wasn’t too cloudy we got beautiful skies. We also caught a few spectacular sunsets on the way home.
Explore a waterway. We went to Norfolk for a week over the holidays, and enjoyed a few lovely walks. On one of them, we followed the River Hun from near its source at Old Hunstanton, east along the coast to the mouth near Thornham.
Weather the weather. While Norfolk wasn’t hit by flooding like in the north of the UK, we did experience some wild winds. We were almost blown off our feet as we walked along the River Hun, and also when we walked up to the old lighthouse at the top of Hunstanton Cliffs.
Wildlife spotting. I was excited to see a large, brushy-tailed fox trot across the road in front of our car on the way to work one morning. We spotted lots of kestrels hovering by roadsides and a few buzzards over the woods. Then in Norfolk, we saw skeins of geese across the sky, wading birds in the mudflats and on the beach and a hare galloping across a bare field. Dan also spotted a mistle thrush with a striking speckled chest.
Explore the darkness. For our final wild camping microadventure, (almost) on the winter solstice, we slept on a beach - an echo of our first microadventure back in December 2014. This time, we hunkered down on the verandah of a beach box (or beach hut) to try and escape from the worst of the wind. It was a mostly clear night and the moon was super bright, reminding me of our October microadventure.

Mags: returning to the important places

Mags revisited a few different themes from her year of microadventure, writing it up on her blog. Here's one:

At the beginning of December I revisited a place of historic interest in the form of a trip to Patan Durbar Square. On this occasion I was revisiting the square 8 months after many parts of it were damaged by the devastating April earthquake. Even some of the temple structures that survived can be seen to be supported by wooden struts.

Danni: meteor spotting + bike ride = Meteoride

Danni’s adventure was a 325km bike ride (revisiting a favourite activity?) to try to spot meteors (explore the darkness?). Here’s an excerpt from her blog post about the ride (go and read it all):

Day 4 was the hardest day of riding. Around 80km, hot, mostly into the wind with about 30km of gravel. I was also starting to get tired and it became obvious it was important to pace myself. 30km into the ride you climb Victoria Point, which is the tail of the Grampian ranges, it’s a great place to stop for a cup of tea. About another 20km gets you to Mirranatwa.

Mirranatwa is really just a church and tennis courts. It had been hot and we were exhausted. We ate lunch on the back patio of the church and refilled our water from their tanks (which was so deliciously cold). Had a little bit of a sleep before the push into the national park.

The road through the national park was gravel and at times highly corrugated. At other times quite slushy and resulted in a couple of epic power sliders. We stopped at the Murra Murra reservoir with ideas of a swim, but it was more or less a dried up marsh. We kept going to Paddy’s Castle.

Clare: the thing is now, I'm hungry for more

I enjoyed reading Clare’s reflections on the year. Here are her ‘best bits’:

My children have explored places which I’m sure have made others question my parenting credentials.
I’ve discovered incredible, secret places that have taken my breath away. I’ll share the secret with you here. Don’t tell everyone though…
I’ve scaled heights, whilst simultaneously taming Lions.
I’ve even ventured underground through a teeny tiny little hole in the earth. It was terrifyingly amazing!
Oh and let’s not forget, I went well and truly out of my comfort zone (and nearly froze to death in the process.) for a wild camp. Is it strange that I’m considering booking it again?
In short I’ve been spoiled with amazing experiences. The thing is now, I’m hungry for more!

Gillian: a new dawn, a new day, a new year

Gillian took the opportunity to watch the sun rise on the new year (I think that just about counts as a December microadventure)! You can find her photo of mute swans at dawn at the top of this post.

I'm not one for staying up for the bells at midnight; I prefer to watch the dawn and greet the first rays of the New Year's sun. It's lovely to see the transition from night to day.

I walked down to the shore of the River Clyde in the dark. There was a sharp frost scrunching underfoot and a halo around the moon. As night gave way to twilight a robin began its trilling song, preempting the dawn. A pair of mute swans swimming in the first blush of dawn on the river . . . and a bright 2016 begins.

Thank you

It’s been quite a year! Thank you so much to everyone who came on the microadventure adventure in 2015. I think this is everyone, but if I've left you off just let me know!

Abigail
Allysse
Cal
Clare (and family)
Dan
Danni
Emily
George
Gillian
Jane (and Mimo)
Kieran
Mags
Nikki
Rhiarti
Stephanie

I hope you all have exciting plans for 2016. I look forward to reading your posts, seeing your photos, watching your videos and envying your adventures!

Allysse rides into the night.

Bright lights in the distance on Allysse's adventure.

"The days are short in December, ending around 4pm." (Allysse)

One of the less-windy days in Norfolk. (Dan and Jonathan)

We didn't sleep on these verandahs - but close by! (Photo by Gerry Balding)

Mags revisits Patan Durbur Square

"Sunset just outside the city of my birth, Newcastle Upon Tyne." (Mags)

Mt Eccles campsite on the metoride. (Photo by Geoffmo)

Mirranatwa. (Photo by Geoffmo)

Danni in action! (Photo by Hamilton)

"I’ve discovered . . . places that have taken my breath away." (Clare)

Orion hunts as the year turns. (Gillian)

A halo around the moon on new year's morning. (Gillian)

"A robin began its trilling song, preempting the dawn." (Gillian)

Dan and I are being a little less ambitious with our aims this year (no more microadventure every week)! We’re planning to get away for a weekend once a month, and to spend it in different accommodation each time. That could definitely include bivvying on a hillside or camping in the woods, but it will also include such adventures as staying at the Premier Inn in Chichester. I am, in partial jest, calling it our Year of Sleeping Variously. Stay tuned!

Should you wish to revisit any of the themes from this year, here they are: