10:19:00
Leaving London Victoria.10:19:06
11:49:56
Following a change of plan I'd decided to go to Ridgeview today, and therefore got off the train I was on at Wivelsfield and walked from there. There was a lot of urban sprawl to get through, but this is the first bit of something like countryside.11:50:03
Here I am looking inanely jolly at being out in the countryside.
11:51:12
Stiles.11:52:22
11:54:31
...and here we are at Ridgeview.11:54:50
11:56:24
The winery at Ridgeview. I think that's a press and some tanks out the front there, they're doing some building work at Ridgeview (if I recall correctly a new cellar which will have a second winery on top) so these may be destined for that.11:56:42
Gate with the vineyard beyond.11:56:57
I think these are Chardonnay vines.11:57:56
A peek inside the winery. Looks like a riddling machine in the foreground.
11:58:24
Views of the vines from the tasting room. Note the bougies, as they're currently on frost watch.11:59:16
12:03:56
A welcome sample of their signature wine - Bloomsbury.12:04:08
Didn't quite work as well.
12:15:17
Their Blanc de Noirs 2014.12:15:20
12:15:20
12:15:23
12:31:05
A little sample from the end of a bottle of their Blanc de Blancs 2009.12:49:47
The tasting room.12:50:14
The winery again.12:50:17
Back downstairs.
12:50:37
A quick look at the vines as I was leaving.12:50:58
Close up on the buds.12:51:09
12:51:14
12:53:55
The building site where they're building the new cellar.12:58:23
Sign for Ridgeview.12:58:27
12:59:57
I think these signs for the South Downs National Park are quite new.
13:01:19
Oooh 6.5 acres close to Ridgeview! ...but, alas, "spoken for".13:02:29
Various bits of real estate for sale around here.13:15:22
Entering the village of Ditchling.13:22:12
On the edge of Ditchling, Court Garden, another vineyard producing English Sparkling Wine.
13:29:00
Entering Ditchling.13:30:14
Black Dog Hill, another Ditchling winery, have a shop here. Alas not open today!13:30:28
13:33:55
The wine list at the Bull Inn, Ditchling, of course featuring some local wine!
13:38:57
Seemed appropriate to have a glass of Ridgeview with lunch.13:39:10
14:06:12
The fire in the Bull Inn. It has been modernised / gastropubbified a bit, and is clearly quite food driven, but it still retained elements of a nice old country inn.14:07:01
Some of the lovely buildings of Ditchling.
14:07:07
14:15:27
Heading South out of Ditchling now.14:23:56
I think I was trying to take a picture of the bluebells etc here.14:24:00
Ah yes, bluebells etc.
14:26:44
This is the abandoned Ditchling Nursery which looks rather foreboding now.14:33:08
Looks like another new vineyard to me!14:34:11
Next to that newly established vineyard - note the trellising system was all steel posts, and here's a pile of abandoned wooden posts which presumably were initially tried then taken out again.14:35:44
Fairy door.
14:39:30
Yet another seemingly new vineyard here, although maybe I was disoriented, but it seemed to me this one was North facing.14:41:37
That North facing vineyard at the foot of Ditchling Beacon again.14:42:10
Heading up Ditchling Beacon now.14:51:04
The views from part way up the climb.
14:53:55
Close to the top now.14:56:20
14:56:22
14:58:42
Slightly disappointing to meet a road at the top, but happy to be reunited with the South Downs Way!
14:59:45
I find these signs very comforting.15:00:29
The view from the top of the ridge - just a little way along from Ditchling Beacon.15:03:17
Me looking very pleased to be back on the South Downs Way.15:07:01
15:09:08
Cows and calves.15:09:18
15:09:38
15:10:56
Calf.
15:26:56
15:31:14
Looking down to Plumpton.15:31:23
Plumpton College.15:41:51
15:57:13
Near Black Cap where alas it was already time for me to part from the South Downs Way and head to Lewes.15:57:19
16:04:22
16:04:28
I somehow thought a picture of my new water bottle was warranted. Unfortunately portrait mode decided to blur it.
16:04:55
One more.16:33:34
Looking over towards Kingston I think, as I approached Lewes.16:47:40
On arrival in Lewes, my hotel for the night: The Shelleys.16:59:48
My room at The Shelleys. Pleasantly old fashioned.
16:59:54
Nice view of the garden.17:00:02
The view from my window.17:06:42
Nice staircase.17:06:45
17:08:51
Taking a stroll through Lewes. Here's the Fifteenth Century Bookshop.17:11:18
Lewes Castle.17:12:10
Round the back of the Castle.17:13:47
Ahhhh the Lewes Arms. Always have to pay my respects here.
17:45:27
Lewes Brewery.17:54:00
The Snowdrop Inn. I'd read they had good vegetarian options here but it seems their kitchen was out of action at the moment or something, so they were only serving pizza.18:51:41
So I headed back to the Lewes Arms, and found a table in the upstairs room.19:02:28
...and discovered they had vegan fish and chips on the menu!
19:02:30