Finding Moments of Retreat
I set out early while it was still dark and made my way to the river just as the sun was rising over the forested hills. The land was crisp with frost that slowly turned pink in the sunlight. The only sound was the honking of the geese.
It is winter and everything is quiet and still.
A lovely walk this afternoon along the hills above Bishopstone before dropping down in to the village. Took a moment to watch the cows watching us.
I’m determined to make better use of these longer warm evenings so I don’t feel I am just trapped in a cycle of sleep, eat, work repeat. Luckily I have scenes like this on ,y doorstep.
Last day of the Easter holidays and a lovely sunny day. Brighton is always a great place to sit in the sun with a good cup of coffee and a slice of cake and just watch the world go by.
Living by the sea is wonderful for evening walks. The chance to look out to the horizon and listen to the waves washing on to the shingle in a soothing rhythm.
Bishopstone is a small village nestled between the South Downs and the sea. A quiet spot hidden in a valley with one road that goes nowhere. A perfect place to hide.
A beautiful 15 mile walk through the Sussex countryside. Rolling hills and woodlands filled with Spring bird song. Friston Forest is covered in abandoned forest tracks now covered in moss. A still moment for today.
Rock cakes are one of the first things that I remember cooking as a child. There is something very soothing about rubbing the fat in to the flour and shaping the rough little buns. The smell of the coffee mixing with the cinnamon when as they bake can cheer up even the gloomiest day. Add Elliot Smith playing and you can create a little moment of stillness.
We started climbing the path up to the peak early before the crowds had arrived. It was a beautiful clear day and the walking easy allowing the mind to switch off and just to feel the climb.
The panoramic views at the summit were beautiful. The air was clear and a fine mist hung in the valleys below. A few other people had made it up early but they dropped away, dwarfed by the landscapes unfurling all around.
As we returned back down the hills the sun became warmer and warmer and the crowds kept coming. The magic of the summit was broken.
