Sussex Scrapbook
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Nature walks throughout the year
Saturday 20th December 2008
Woodmancote - Albourne - Bedlam Street - Wolstonbury - Poynings - Woodmancote
11.5 miles
Gill had to be dragged
out of bed by one ankle this morning and was still half asleep when we got to
our start point. Yes, sometimes I have to be cruel to be kind! That'll teach her
for burning the candle at both ends.
Loads of old Sussex churches on this very scenic route but only a limited amount of daylight
today to explore them all in. The countryside around Albourne is beautiful, as is the
village itself, the hamlet of Bedlam Street is not as chaotic as its name
suggests (we saw one person) and Wolstonbury Hill is definitely not for the
faint-hearted! We also came across some beautiful, large farm complexes that
were very deserted and quiet. At times it felt like we were on the set of a
spaghetti western and we half expected to see tumbleweed come rolling past us.
Crossing the A23 twice is no problem at all as tunnels are provided at both
points.
By the time we got to Poynings at about 4pm the sun was setting over Truleigh Hill
sending crepuscular rays towards us, and so we
finished off our walk with a 3 mile night hike.
This was a very tough walk due to the amount of sticky mud we encountered. We
spent the day 3 inches taller, with feet weighing an extra 2 lb each!
Our starting point on the A281 at St. Peter's,
Woodmancote
The church was being decorated for Christmas when we got there.
The ladies of Woodmancote were very keen to show us the new alterations to their
church, a toilet and kitchen.
Something the Norman's had neglected to add!
This intriquing bronze statue of Mary &
child is inside St. Barts
A Brown Roll Rim ( Paxillus involutus), a common but poisonous species
Here's the top of it
Danny. An Elizabethan mansion converted to luxury apartments.
Our next destination, Wolstonbury Hill
Gill reaches the top of Wolstonbury Hill. This has to be one of the most
strenuous ascents on the whole of the South Downs.
206 metres straight up!
The church of St. John the Evangelist, in
the grounds of
Newtimber Place.
The sun starting to set over Truleigh
Hill, seen from near Poynings