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Sussex Scrapbook ~ Nature walks throughout the year
Green Man
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!


St. Bartholomew's, Albourne


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