Lewes to Alfriston – And Closer to Siberia

Housedean Farm was a nice site. Freaking freezing but that’s more Mother Nature then the farm. During the night my breath condensed on the inside of the tent and froze. I got out for a pee at 2 am and the tent crinkled at my touch, and the stars twinkled overhead. Not bad for 30 miles south of the Smoke. You’d expect more Cockney light pollution.

I stayed in the tent in the morning to get a bit more sleep as the sun warmed it up a bit. 

I’ve been getting terrible pain in my knees at night and I think it might be because the sleeping bag is too narrow to move, rather than the cold. I’m ok if I get on my back and bend my knees but that doesn’t help me get to sleep. There were two Malaysian lads at this site, camping in a Zephyros 2, being a two person version of my Zephyros 1, but with a slightly bigger ground area (better planned). I think I might splash out when my tent goes west and get a Zephyros 2 and a broader, three seasons sleeping bag. And definitely bring my air mattress when the ground might be chilly. As long as I’m not adding too much weight. It would help me move around in the night with a bit more space. Turts a lot so needs to be addressed sometime.

A tin of cold beans for breakfast saw me right. Heinz baked beans with fiery chilli peppers. Dog’s doo dahs. 

The walk immediately climbed the Downs above Lewes. 

Great views again across to Lewes and beyond.

And back north westwards to the Brighton and Hove Albion ground, nestling in the countryside. 

I really love this photo. Looking back northwards with a bit of sun lighting up the streaks of different colours across the landscape, and the shadow deepening the dark green to the back right. Love it!

I was enjoying walking too, despite the cold wind. Sometimes it’s a ‘grit your teeth and get on with it’ experience. Today the air was fresh and very clean. The load was light on my back. I’m ok doing this for a few years yet, barring serious illness or further injury. Then I might have to resort to some rucksack delivery service, whilst I walk unhindered; before finally sinking into dotage and inaction in front of daytime tv; then to be imprisoned in the viewless winds, and blown with restless violence round about the pendent world. That’s my Saturday nights taken care of! Thanks Will.

Then going forward, southwards to the sea. 

Oh what a poetic day today is proving to be. Or not to be.

The route ahead was clear with the Way dropping to the River Ouse and then kicking up the Downs to the left of this picture.

The path began to look like something from The Wizard of Oz. Follow the yellow brick road. Eyup Tin Man. 

Then the drop down and a lovely little church with a fresh water tap outside for dried up walkers.

And onwards to the Ouse, and the smell of seaweed at low tide. 

This is turning into one of my best days walking. On the far side of the river was a Youth Hostel with a cafe. One jacket potato with cheese later and I was running up that hill. No problem. Thanks Kate. 

Looking back and southwestwards the Ouse met the sea at Newhaven. I remember our many crossings to Dieppe and back from Newhaven with fondness. Particularly one where I sold a lot of my record collection to be able to afford the boat train from London Victoria to Rouen, via Newhaven-Dieppe, to see Maggie, who was living there in 1974. 

I don’t think I’ve been a bad husband. But my Report would likely read – ‘could do better’. Snoring and farting are two areas for targeted improvement. A reduction of 80% over the next year is essential. Oops! Just let one go! Dint do owt. Dint do owt Maggie. Dint do owt. Yet the invisible malodorous mass suggests otherwise. 

I hate walking through herds of cows. Frightens me. Maybe it’s one of them that did it.

I motored it up the long slope to the top, and the path switched from eastwards to heading south towards the sea.

 And towards Alfriston where I was to spend the night. 

The woman in the village shop was really helpful, heating up some steak and ale pie and packing it in a thermal box for when I got the tent pitched. I also got an amazing tub of olives, sun dried tomatoes and other antipasti stuff. A great meal in the tent before an early dart.

Night night.