Out walking the dales at Lathkill Dale after a day of committee meetings.
Stream everything Wordsworth described!
Passed a little grotto near a farm with Christmas theme.
And guess what went down on this lane?
And cute lambs!
Really beautiful dale - picturebook setting. Many of the paths level and only one major ascent. 21 km in all. Lunch at the Smithy cafe in Monyash village. Stilton cheese hamburger and the best chips ever.
Peak District - view across valley after dinner! Sweet and sour chicken and fresh salads with home baked fruit bread! Sublime !
Snow fell in Crawley last week. About 6 inches. One of the local parks is Wakehurst Place - a Kew Gardens offshoot. Decided to take my camera out and see what snows scenes were to be had.
Much of the snow in the tress had gone but the secluded areas had a good coverings. A friendly Robin came over hoping for a hand out! Photo instead!
Thursday already!! But kiah bought a puppet! Today she and new friend gave a puppet show at the group BBQ! Well done kiah and Whisper!
Also she attended batik classes see the result!
Kiah's new jewellery . Coconut, goldstone and agate. Quite discerning in her purchases!
Having fun from shop to youth group!!
Up like a squirrel up a tree! One of the side attractions whilst Kiah and I at the New Wine conference.
Freedom to ride her Bike anywhere is one of her highlights. Relaxing holiday along with attending seminars or groups
Soft toy therapy?! Kiah and I sent day at longleaf safari park. Lions, tigers and seals included. 100 photos later as well but the best bit still in checking out the soft animals. New rabbit "cookie" added to collection!
Saturday 16 April 2011
Cloudy but warm day. Kiah and I headed off to Crowlink on the Seven Sister route where we left the van. This time with a new Surfers Lock ( steel box with padlock which encloses your key. It is locked and attached to the front coil springs. E.g. Keys and van in one place!). From Crowlink to Friston Pond, on to Friston Place where we met up with a couple of friendly horses.
Kiah quickly befriended the black and white shire.
After that close encounter we sent off across Butchershole Bottom and up on a racehorse practice set of meadows. Wood and meadows paths until we reached Holt Brow. At last reaching Windover Hill with views over West Sussex (Berwick, Wilmington and Arlington Water) - fields of Rape flowers everywhere.
Through a meadow full of rather curious cows - kiah took this quick photo!
Cold wind which we sheltered from behind a set of gorse bushes for a belated lunch. Then off down the chalk paths to Litlington. There visit to tech Crystal Shop (Kiah's third visit!) - new egg gemstone purchased. Quick tea break at the Tea Garden - chocolate cake.
Long road slog back to Exceat to catch the Number 12 bus to get us back to Friston Pond and Crowlink where Kiah met another of the bovine set.
Have managed two reasonable bike journeys over last two weeks.
Monday 14th March
Penshurst Place to Tonbridge Castle Gate for an afternoon trip. Weather man said sunny. He lied! It was overcast and cold but still made an interesting ride through the River Medway flats - some 15 mile or so. Ducks, swans and Canada Geese everywhere. Stopped for tea at Tonbridge.
Monday 21st March
West Grinstead old railway station car park to Shoreham Harbour - round trip of 28 miles. Great sunny day with light breeze. Morning coffee at the Orchid Garden restaurant just next to car park.
Lots of people out with their dogs and horses. The route follows the old rail link from Guildford to Shoreham. North Downs Link path.
Stopped for lunch at Shoreham Yacht club area,
Weather has improved a lot so opportunities for days out hiking without being too miserable are back! Gandalf makes it easy. I keep it packed with all day essentials and hiking kit for myself and Kiah. Kiah has taken to hiking and is being great company.
So far we have hiked Birling Gap to Beachy Head - a short practices run for a late afternoon adventure. (5km)
Saturday 5th March
We followed that up with a Birling GaP to Flagstaff day out
Kiah at Flagstaff, Seven Sisters
Kiah as always fascinated by the cliff edge and 'what if' discussions! A brilliant sunny day although the wind was cold. Watched the hares playing in the gorse bushes. Back to the Gap restaurant and hot chocolate (We cheated! I had forgot the ingredients!). But time to explore the water pools and chalk reefs as the tide was completely out. (8 Km)
Saturday 12th March
Our next visit was to hike Birling Gap via the Red Barn route to Flagstaff Brow stopping along the way to allow Kiah to sketch ideas for new paintings
Road leading to beginning of South Downs Way
But along the way I 'discovered' that I no longer seemed to have the van keys! Agh!
We had to beat a hasty retreat to make it back before dark in the hope of finding them near the van. Kiah not impressed! Very vocal about extra leg work and too much up hill and little downhill!
Back at the van no keys - searched all my pockets again. Coat on table an patted down.
Called Vw assist (After we had climbed back to Red Barn to get a good signal). Couldn't help unless I paid for crane to pick up van onto transporter.
So had to telephone Leslie for assistance in bringing spare key set. Not impressed either. But to pass the time away we explored the beach and chalk reefs, watched some teenagers build a beach bonfire.
Kiah took over my iPhone to play with as we sat in the dark until help arrived at 19:15. (I suppose that I have to add that we found the keys hidden in teh lining of my jacket much later!
Kiah's question:"Have I told Grandma yet?" (NO)
Lesson learnt! I have now bought a 'Surfer Lock" - padlock and steel box to hold keys. Padlock fixes to coil springs in wheel arch, Clever! (8 Km)
Saturday 19th March
Gluttons for punishment Kiah and I went back last weekend and parked near the Red Barn area and hiked Red Barn to Cuckmere Haven. After lunch , ice cream, rest etc back via Friston Forest - a round trip of 12 miles! Well done Kiah!
Kiah at Friston Place meadow crossing demonstrating how old people get over stiles!
A beautiful sunny spring day and a fun day out even with all the leg pulling. (This time keys were at the van - surfer box rocks!)
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