Sussex Scrapbook
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Nature walks throughout the year
Sunday 3rd
August 2008
Bramber - Botolphs - Coombes - Cross Dykes - Bramber
8 miles
It was pouring down all
day yesterday and this morning was no better, but Gill decided she wanted to see
the church at Coombes and we thought we might as well do a short walk as well, so out
into the deluge we went. As usual the moment we left Crawley the rain stopped!
We parked at St Peter's church in Bramber and walked a couple of miles down the
river Adur to the ancient (950 AD) church of St. Botolph's which has a small
window known as a leper's squint. This was used by lepers to watch the service
without disturbing the other parishioners.
From there we went to Coombes, but unfortunately the church is shut for
renovation until December.
Then it was time to go up onto the South Downs towards Cross Dyke
and then northwards to Steyning Bowl. On the way we sighted lots of people with
fishing rods on the top of the downs. There is nowhere to fish up there, so we were
somewhat confused as to what they were doing. It turns out that they were
some of the top people in the country at long-distance casting with some of them
reaching over 270 metres.
On our return to Bramber we took a look at the ruins of the Norman castle. It
must have been huge in its day and was perfectly sited to keep a wary eye on the
whole district.
Not too much wildlife about today, although we did see a fox, Little Egrets,
Swifts, Swallows, House Martins, Kestrels, Buzzards, Sandpipers and Cormorants.
In keeping with our normal good luck, we only got rained on while we were riding
home, but it was warm so we didn't really care.
St Peter's church at Bramber
A view of the Adur from between Botolphs
and Coombes
St Boltoph's Church
A carving on St Boltoph's door from 1630
Coombes church with Gill peeking in
Long-distance casters on the downs near Steyning Bowl
Long distance casting
Steyning Bowl is an impressive natural feature which is appreciated by hikers
and paragliders alike