10:46:53
Passing through Blackfriars - looked a bit overcast here, but the weather was much nicer by the time I got down to the downs.10:52:50
A little boat on the Thames.11:00:23
12:41:03
After leaving Burgess Hill station the first bit of my walk was along a road, which wasn't particularly nice.
12:48:27
However after a while I was able to turn off the road, onto a bridleway, and it was all very pleasant from there on.12:50:57
12:52:08
The bridleway was a nice shady tree lined track.12:57:01
12:58:26
Near where I turned off the bridleway was a windmill, unfortunately I couldn't get a very good view of it.12:58:30
12:59:13
First glimpse of the downs on today's walk.12:59:40
13:00:39
This vineyard is Court Garden.13:01:26
13:03:15
Nice cottage here - presumably part of Court Garden Farm - with a plum tree.13:03:20
Close up on the plumns.
13:08:05
The stile/bridge at the end of the field.13:08:35
Signs for Court Garden.13:08:53
n13:14:16
Passing through Ditchling now.
13:14:31
Free turf!13:17:07
13:17:25
Black Dog Hill's tasting rooms. Unfortunately closed today.13:17:40
13:17:56
13:19:52
Ditchling would be so much prettier if it weren't for the constant stream of cars!13:20:04
13:22:10
Nice old sign pointing out of Ditchling towards the downs.
13:23:58
The path leading out of Ditchling, with a bit of my finger in the way.13:24:51
Heading toward the downs.13:30:44
Shady track I had walked along before - this passes by Plumpton College's Ditchling vineyard.13:34:06
13:36:57
Plumpton College's vineyard.13:42:17
Crossing over Underhill Lane.13:43:46
The newly planted vineyard at Wick Farm, which is an extension to Black Dog Hill.13:43:52
13:45:12
The chalky path leading up the hill.13:47:22
Nice view here back down over Black Dog Hill's new vineyard.13:49:49
Further up the hill.13:53:30
What's the flower?
13:53:42
Not sure it's obvious from the photo but this path up to Ditchling Beacon was rather steep and quite hard work!13:54:33
Lovely views from about two thirds of the way up though.13:54:38
13:56:56
A wooded bit just before the top.
13:58:29
...and this is pretty much the top now. Spectacular views from here.13:59:50
14:00:53
14:00:56
14:02:15
I particularly liked this one with the bare tree in the foreground, and the way the land undulates here.14:03:06
Back on the South Downs Way.14:04:17
I rewarded myself for the climb up to Ditchling Beacon with an iced coffee.14:24:51
Enjoying the views a bit more.
14:27:01
Butterfly.14:27:06
15:32:37
After a long chat on the phone with Dad near Ditchling Beacon, I continued my walk along towards Lewes. I think this is looking back to Ditchling Beacon.15:42:57
15:45:59
A trough with a view.15:46:57
Further along the South Downs Way.15:48:04
Plumpton College down below there.15:53:41
15:55:36
Another one of those grainy photos.16:05:00
At this juncture I bade farewell to the South Downs Way once again, it swings off to the south here, but I was headed east to Lewes.16:05:18
Blackcap.16:09:15
16:10:31
The other spur of the downs over there.16:15:00
16:43:06
The track leading to Lewes.16:47:28
16:47:32
Nice view of the windmill at Kingston from here.16:55:31
In Lewes now, oddly took this picture of some free DVDs being given away.17:03:06
Lewes Castle.17:12:52
Finally the Lewes Arms - delighted to see it had reopened once again.
17:17:27
A spectacular triumphant pint of Harveys at the Lewes Arms.17:30:16
Having not really eaten lunch, I took the offer of a table next to this open window in their airy but nearly deserted dining room.17:36:49
The menu.17:37:56
An insect which landed on my trousers.
18:00:59
Andrew, who had also been on a walk along the downs, was meeting me here, but owing to a slight miscalculation his food arrived rather before he did.18:01:38
My roast meal, which I decided to just tuck in and eat before it went cold.19:07:39
Andrew eventually arrived some time around 6:30. They managed to warm up his food.20:07:49
Getting the train back to London from Lewes. I decided to try out a snood as a face covering instead as it was a bit more comfortable.
21:51:18
Passing through Blackfriars.22:20:34
Back near home, I saw a fox on a garden well, but the photo really didn't come out.