Sussex Scrapbook
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Wildlife walks throughout the year
Saturday 29th May 2021
Amberley - Rackham Hill - The Burgh - Burpham - South Stoke - North Stoke - Amberley
10 miles
The hottest day of the year so far and we chose it to have a post-lockdown stamina test. We were pretty sure that we were out of shape and needed to take it easy but we found that we clocked up the miles at a great pace without any pain despite the incline or temperature. Perhaps muscle memory plays a large part, or maybe we're fitter than we thought. I think it's all down to spirituality. Waves of heat followed by gentle breezes, green lush foliage, the gentle noises coming from the sheep - we were mesmerised, feeling instantly back at home in our mindful escape from the world. What a pleasure to be scuffing the chalk with our worn out boots again.
There are many more sheep around Rackham Hill than in the last few years, when it has mostly been cows. The sheep do such a better job of keeping the sward healthy and full of meadow flowers. Keep up the good work girls!
White-tailed Eagle hunting at The Burgh - no luck of course but who cares.
Lots of people hiking about the area using apps and getting lost.
A Guelder Rose near Burpham. An indication of ancient undisturbed land.
Chocolate box stuff.
We are going to keep our eyes on these bare patches that have been made around all of the fields.
It looks like it has been sown with meadow flowers as a wildlife corridor. We hope so!
After coffee & walnut cake and tea in the churchyard we wove our way through the tiny footpaths that the scouts call the jungle,
over the Gurkha Bridge and into North stoke.
Back through more 'jungle trails' to the Arun River.
Returning to the bike in good time for a hot sunny ride home. Does life get any better?
Take the time to read
the
countryside code for yourself and please stick to it at all times.