A Further Walk in the Countryside Around My Village

For this walk, one of my friends requested a faery hunt, and I'm looking forward to the picnic meal and wine she's bringing along for our return. Another, unable to walk too far at the moment, is going to have it ready for us when we get back from our walk, so she's coming on an "imaginary" walk with us. So, if you're all ready, then we'll set out, wave goodbye to Gabs and Gissi, turn on the video recorder, and start off by walking southwards a little, to the church steps.

We'll climb the steps to the Lychgate, where there are two millstones embedded in the ground, and an arc-shaped seat at the side of one... through the gate and cemetery, past the vestry side of the church, to the school... a very old, primary school, built in similar stone to the Saxon part of the church. Ley lines cross under the church, so the cemetery is quite a spiritual place. At the edge of the school playground, inside the perimeter wall, there is a huge, old oak tree, where sometimes you might catch a faery or two amongst the butterflies and squirrels. Past the school, we'll wander up through the field, heading north, to where the old Queens Head pub used to be, now a residential property.

Beside this house is a lane, which goes under an A23 flyover, and turns sharp to the right. At this turn, we'll cross, and take a slight incline up a dirt path, into the woods. The woods edge Farney Close School grounds, and are full of rhododendrons and holly, as well as the normal woodland trees. Here again, is quite a spiritual place and there could be faeries hovering in and out of the rhododendrons or holly. There's a startling rustle in the bushes, and looking up, we spy a deer standing dead still in the middle of the pathway ahead, just staring at us, wondering what we are doing encroaching on his patch! This area is heavily inhabited by deer and rabbits, who occasionally wander into the woods from surrounding estates.

On down the path, taking a sharp right, then left, passing a farmyard with ducks and geese in it, and crossing a small wooden bridge over a stream, we come out onto the next lane. We'll head north up the lane for a few yards, then turn right onto a public footpath into the Pickwell Estate. Pickwell Manor stands centrally in a sweeping estate, acres of grass, edged with trees, we skirt the fence, and can spy, in the distance, more deer, feeding close to the wooded area. Way past the wooded area, from the hill we're standing on, we can see the South Downs in the distance, and the two windmills, one blue, one white, named Jack and Jill. lol. We'll sit here a while on the grass and take in the breathtaking view...

Now, we'll continue, skirting the fence via the footpath, to the driveway at the east end of the house, and on down this tree-lined drive, where the faeries are certain to be. We pass more rhododendrons, and camelias, some very tall Scots pines where woodpeckers are tapping away, at great height. There is a small pond to the left, skirted by reeds and bullrushes, as we take an S bend incline, and emerge from the woods. There is a field of sheep on our left, and a few yards to the right, a big lake. There are walkboards out onto the lake and launching places for boats... sometimes you might even catch the boats on the water. There is a large cottage at the side of the lake... what a wonderful place that would be to live. I think maybe we'll sit at the side of the lake for a while, watch the kingfishers and ducks take in the glistening of the sunlight through the trees onto the water and contemplate awhile, before heading back to my garden, where Gabs has the picnic ready for us, and we can all tuck in and tell of our favourite experiences on the walk.

Then, we'll set up the video for Gabs, so she can play a part in our walk. Of course, you know there are faeries in my garden, Ray... so let's sit here until sunset and moonrise, and you never know... if we leave them a gift or two from the picnic, they might just come out for us?:-) I raise my glass to you, my friends, in thanks for you joining me, and looking forward to our next walk. Till then... take care one and all! Cheers!