Sussex Scrapbook
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Nature walks throughout the year
Saturday 5th January 2008
Washington - Chanctonbury Ring - Cissbury Ring - Findon - Washington
We last did this 10 mile walk in June of last year on a scorching summers day and were able to park the bike at Findon. This time we had to take a long bus to Washington just in time to get to Chanctonbury Ring for sunrise.
We walked round Chanctonbury Ring and then made our way to the huge iron age fort of Cissbury Ring. We did this via the South Downs Way and then by turning onto the Monarchs Way at Steyning Round Hill. After going through an area known as No Man's land we arrived at Cissbury.
There is a car park right at the foot of Cissbury Ring, so take the opportunity to go up there and explore. Today the ring is covered in gorse, yew and pristine downland and is the home of reptiles, birds and mammals. If you take your dog, then please keep it under control and clear up after it, as this is a very special place. We saw many dogs there that were just left to run wild, even though grazing animals are working there (The grazing animals are on loan from Pulborough Brooks RSPB and help to keep the area in perfect condition).
When you go, make sure you walk all of the way round (1 mile), take it all in, and imagine living here in this beautiful place with all of your family and friends, 2500 years ago.
After visits to both the pub and the church at Findon we crossed the A24 on the Monarchs way before heading north through Windlesham House and back to our start/finish point.
Although last night was wet and stormy, today was beautiful and the only rain shower was while we were in the Black Horse at Findon drinking tea. There were quite a few birds about today, we saw Buzzard, Kestrel, Corn Buntings, Common Gulls, Yellowhammers, Dunnock, Pied wagtail, Goldfinch and Stonechat.
The sun rose as we were climbing up to Chanctonbury Ring. Gill woke up when were halfway up.
Chanctonbury Ring in the centre
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Cissbury Ring 3 miles in the distance
Cissbury Ring. Construction of this prehistoric hill fort began in 300BC
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An overhead diagram showing all of the old flint mines
A diagram of a neolithic flint mine, the filled remains of 250 of these can be found inside the ring.
They date back to 3000BC
The first primroses are now flowering along with snowdrops. Does that mean its spring?
The village of Findon seen from one of the flint mines on Cissbury Ring
St John the Baptists church at Findon.
Tuesday 1st January 2008
New years day
Here's wishing a very happy 2008 to all of our friends, family and website visitors.
We don't have hangovers to nurse this year, so instead we are sitting indoors watching old films, eating chocolates and planning the forthcoming year. So what do we expect to achieve?
The Harley will be repaired.
Hopefully my PhD will be finished (pass or fail) in the next few months and Gill will be settled into her new job.
In the spring, summer and autumn of 2008 we hope to have more group walks with friends and family.
We really want to see our first Osprey.
I am planning on doing some voluntary work, preferably at Pulborough Brooks - This depends on whether the bike is healthy.
We would like to go back to Scotland, and this time find otters.
We want to go back to the Isle of Man to finish the walk we started.
Check back later on to see how much of this comes true.