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It was a bright sunny morning as I set off on this walk which passes through my village. People were queuing outside Heathfield’s Patisserie Valentin – no surprise as there’s usually a queue in non-covid times as their bread is delicious!   I joined the Cuckoo Trail, a 14 mile surfaced path which follows the former railway track to Shinewater Park. It’s  known as the Cuckoo Line because traditionally, the first cuckoo of spring was released from a cage at Heathfield Fair. The line was axed under the Beeching cuts and closed in 1968. It’s now a safe and scenic route for cyclists, walkers and horse-riders –  I feel I know every inch of it having used it in training for the marathons and half marathons I’ve done over the past 15 years.   My walk soon took me over a stile and off  across a meadow and, after a few more stiles, into a delightful wood with dappled sun falling through the trees.  On hearing a bird call I used my newly downloaded Chirp app for the first time which quickly identified the call as a magpie’s – how brilliant!   I’ve since learned that there’s also an app that identifies plants and flowers…… goodness, how wonderful to literally have all that information at one’s fingertips.   I’ll be lucky to finish the Trail by July 2021 if I stop and look up every bird and plant I see along the way!  The far edge of the wood brought me out into a recently mown meadow dotted with round hay bales.  It looked so pretty in the sunshine. To my left was a corn field where the corn wasn’t quite as high as an elephant’s eye and just peeping over the top of the corn was an oast house. It was certainly an ‘oh, what a beautiful morning oh, what a beautiful day’ moment.  Just before Waldron Di Steele, who lives there, joined me with her dog Bella. As well as being a trustee of FSH, Di manages our website and designs most of our publicity materials.  She also tracked several of these walks when the Trail was created five years ago. We walked through a few fields, one of which held a cluster of tents but  were very peaceful until… hurtling towards us came an SUV with children standing on the running boards and hanging out of every opening laughing and shouting with glee and obviously having a great time.  Di and Bella departed at Brittenden Lane and I continued on my way until I reached The Blackboys Inn.  Natalie and Jay Dunbar, have been very supportive of FSH throughout their tenure at this  lovely pub, hosting annual Mega March Hospice Quizzes and raffles. I rested at one of the picnic tables on the lawn in front of the pub and watched the staff busily setting up distanced tables for what I imagined would be a busy trade for them today. Just along the road from the Blackboys Inn is Brownings Manor, which was the setting for FSH’s Summer Concert in 2017 thanks to the generous hospitality of Andrew and Lydia Tyler. I recall many fun meetings there both in the run-up to that concert and, prior to that, for Hidden Treasures, a very successful auction event led by Benji Tyler and beautifully orchestrated by Gorringe’s at their auction rooms in Lewes. At the top of School Lane in Blackboys I stopped and read two plaques on a bench surrounded by maple trees. The smaller plaque read: “Presented in 1983 by The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery Headquarters First Canadian Brigade Group & Canadian Defence Liaison Staff (London) to commemorate those members who presented the original seat and to the hospitality of residents of the village of Blackboys.”

Heading towards Tickerage Mill,  I was hoping to get a glimpse of the splendid Queen Anne house which was once the country home of Vivien Leigh.  This wasn’t possible due to high hedges all around it, so instead I took some photos of the millstream where the famous actress was known to bathe and where her ashes were finally scattered. To my surprise and delight I saw two enormous fish cavorting in the mill race.  I’m guessing they were carp…….. I’ll bet there’s a fish identifying app out there I could download.  Passing some paddocks and stables I espied a peculiar contraption which looked like a lampshade with a buoy hanging inside.  I later learned that this was a horse fly trap.  Gosh, I’m learning so much from this walk!  Near here is Hobbs Barton, which until recently was owned by Jeremy and Valerie Clark – Valerie is an FSH Patron.  Hobbs Barton played a significant role in the early days of FSH as we held our annual meetings and numerous events in the beautiful barn there. A little further along I took a detour to pop in and say hello to Richard Munn  at IDK Automotive at The Oaks Workshops in Framfield.  Mungo (as he is universally known) raised money for FSH five years ago by completing a truly epic ride from John O’Groats to Lands End on his 1960 Lambretta.  He did it in memory of his mum, Pauline McKenzie, who died in the care of St Wilfrid’s Hospice (Eastbourne) in 2010. We sat and reminisced over a refreshing ice -cold Coke, took some photos on the famous Lambretta and before leaving I was presented with £100 for FSH from IDK Automotive. On leaving it was very tempting to walk across the road to my house and have some lunch but instead I rejoined the trail at Sandy Lane and continued on into Uckfield.  I passed the beautiful Pound House which is owned by FSH volunteer Melanie Suppel and her husband Jan and continued down the lane which took me into Hempstead Wood.  A downhill path, strewn with tree roots, I know this stretch well from my days of going out with the Uckfield Runners. At the bottom of the path I crossed the railway tracks that run between Buxted and Uckfield.  I always feel a bit of a thrill crossing railway tracks and this time daringly stopped and took a photo. ( I obviously need to get out more …… or possibly less?) A little further along at a bridge over the River Uck at Hempstead Mill there is a Grade II Listed Heritage former mill house.  Although now sadly falling into disrepair, its faded splendour is hauntingly beautiful.  The intricate ironwork on the bridge across the now tranquil mill race is very attractive.  The whole scene, framed with wild flowers and overhanging willow branches, was charming and held me transfixed for some time. The walk then took me, via a playground and recreation field, to a very pretty wildflower meadow which ran alongside the railway line, that brought me out into the corner of the car park of Waitrose next to Uckfield Station.  Until I did this walk a couple of months ago, I had no idea there was such a delightful footpath here. This section of the Trail was sponsored by Judith and Bob Ruthven on behalf of Buxted Construction. Buxted Construction has been an incredibly generous supporter of FSH over many years, sponsoring numerous events and regularly processing our mailings and covering the not insignificant postage costs.

Before setting off I was puzzled as to why this route it zig zagged across the A265  but soon  all became clear.   After walking up a very steep narrow path and through some farm buildings I was rewarded with the most fabulous views across the High Weald towards Mayfield. It was a lovely sunny day – a few white fluffy clouds in the sky – birds were singing and there seemed to be several varieties of butterflies fluttering around.  Yesterday Robert had told me about an app called Chirp – I must download it!

The walk continued along country lanes with more stunning views- there were what looked like four rows of vines growing by The Old Workshop and I wondered how many bottles of wine they’d yield.  A bridleway, through meadows, led me down to a pretty wood with a very ancient looking oak tree guarding its entrance. There was a maze of paths through this wood and even using the GPS on my AllTrails app, didn’t stop me getting in a bit of a muddle and a bit lost.

 In the midst of my muddle I stumbled upon Braylsham Castle with its castellated tower, Elizabethan-style wing, moat and drawbridge. Despite its appearance, the building is not medieval. It was constructed in the last decade of the 20th century by John and Jo Mew on the site of a derelict cottage they owned, inspired by the original Braylsham Castle (dating from about 1260).  It looked positively enchanting and I felt as though I was in some sort of fairy tale. Wandering back into the wood I met Moose, a beautiful Spinone Italiano (I’d never met a Spinone Italiano before) and Badger, a Golden Retriever.  I chatted with their owners and told them what I was doing – they were walkers too.  If it weren’t for their very helpful directions I think I might well still be wandering around in that enchanted wood. Continuing along a lane, through fields with friendly cattle in and down again into another delightful wood  I eventually arrived at the top of Heathfield and finished my walk at Hughes Solicitors. Rod and Hilary Hughes founded the firm eleven years ago and were generous supporters of FSH for many years before that – Rod served as a Trustee of FSH for several years.  With my walk over I drove to Hospice in the Weald’s Cottage Hospice at Five Ashes.  The Cottage Hospice was opened in November last year and offers a new model of hospice care which enables patients to be cared for by their loved ones, in non-complex cases, in the dying phase. I was greeted, at a distance of course, by Juliet Roberts – Volunteer, Holly Chowen – Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist, Sonia Burt – Volunteer and member of the FSH East Sussex Fundraising Committee, Kerry Norman – Acting Head of Cottage Hospice, and Helen McGee – Medical Director. The photos were taken by Georgia Clarke – Complementary Therapy Coordinator.   Hospice in the Weald provides care to patients with a terminal illness, their families and carers in West Kent and Northern East Sussex through it’s 15 bedded inpatient unit at Pembury, its new 10 bedded Cottage Hospice at Five Ashes, its Hospice in the Home service, it’s Day Care and bereavement support and counselling services.  It costs £7.1 million to provide these services which are delivered free of charge to patients and their families – 10% of this is funded by the Government.  In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the Cottage Hospice has been designated a Covid-free site – patients are tested prior to admission – while the hospice at Pembury is admitting patients who may have the coronavirus.

This section of the trail was sponsored by Janie Childs in memory of her mother, Margie Childs. Janie, a stalwart FSH supporter and member of our East Sussex Fundraising and Ladies Luncheon Club committees is also responsible for the successful production and sales of FSH’s Christmas Cards.

Passing Jarvis & Sons (where a Jarvis has been working behind the counter for 50 years!) I left Etchingham and turned into into Borders Lane. It wasn’t long before I found myself in the beautiful pastoral countryside that I was to enjoy for the next six miles.  After two miles I reached  Grandturzel Farm, owned by very good friends, Frank and Margo Sanderson.  I stopped by to say hello and Frank walked with me across a couple of fields and pointed me in the direction of the Church spire at Burwash.  It was an easy walk across a few more fields and through a delightful dell – the first mention of a ‘dell’ in the guide notes – and up to the the graveyard of St Bartholomew’s.  There were benches here with the most stunning views over the Dudwell Valley – there ought to be people queuing up to sit on them, the view is SO magnificent.  I didn’t have time to go inside the church as I’d made a plan to meet with Robert Bathurst at Bateman’s at 10.00am and wasn’t sure my walking pace would get me there on time.  I’d been inside this lovely church on past occasions so didn’t feel I was missing out.  On walking up the high street I took a selfie with Rudyard Kipling. It was so nice not to have to keep my distance! The life-size bronze,  created by Burwash-based sculptor Victoria Atkinson, was installed in February 2019. It is hoped it will encourage some of the over 120,000 people who visit Bateman’s to come into the village and support local businesses. I love this verse from “Sussex” by Rudyard Kipling written in 1902:

God gives all men all earth to love,

But since man’s heart is small,

Ordains for each one spot shall prove

Beloved over all.

Each to his choice, and I rejoice

The lot has fallen to me

In a fair ground—in a fair ground—

Yea, Sussex by the sea!

Soon I was  in the lane below where I could see the distinctive  Jacobean chimneys of Bateman’s and arrived there at the same time as Robert! 

Robert has been a Patron of FSH since 2012.  He’s compéred concerts and performed plays, recitals and raised incredible amounts for our hospices. Some of his performances have taken part at The Bell in Ticehurst, which has been hugely supportive to FSH, sponsoring events, hosting quizzes and clothes sales for us. One of Robert’s memorable performances in aid of FSH was of  “A Scattering” by Christopher Reid which was hosted by another FSH Patron, Marit Rausing, at Wadhurst Park. Marit and her husband Hans, who sadly passed away last year, have been tremendous supporters of FSH since its beginning. The Lund Trust, the charitable fund of their daughter, Lisbet Rausing and her husband Peter Baldwin has made regular generous donations to FSH over many years. As we walked and talked I discovered that Robert and his wife Victoria are great walkers and lovers of nature.  We talked about the impact Covid-19 had had on hospice care and funding and as well as the impact it’s had on our own lives. Leaving Bateman’s, a 17th-century Grade I listed building and famously the home of Rudyard Kipling from 1902 until his death in 1936, we were soon on our way.  We observed some very special looking rams, some beautiful long horned cattle and a gargantuan highland bull – thankfully the other side of a fence. – with a huge, lion-like face complete with nose ring.   He was possessively guarding the only water trough in the field and wasn’t about to yield access to a thirsty looking, slightly smaller bull. We stood and watched for a while but I think we might have been there all day before the smaller bull quenched his thirst. It was a delightful and interesting walk, truly enhanced by Robert’s company. This section of the trail was sponsored by Felicity Whitehead in memory of her late husband, Michael, who was cared for by Hospice in the Weald. Felicity, a member of FSH’s fundraising committee, has championed and actively promotes The Dalemain Marmalade Festival which raises money for palliative care worldwide.  Founded by Jane Hasell-McCosh fifteen years ago and run from her home near Penrith the festival has raised over £250,000 – do check out the website: https://www.dalemain.com/marmalade-festival/  

On leaving Robertsbridge Station the trail took me on a path between some houses and fairly soon I was through a kissing gate and back in the picturesque rolling countryside. There were some splendid views across the Rother Valley and some very old and impressive oak trees.  I ambled along through fields and woods across little bridges where the water running in the streams was bright orange – I believe this is due to deposits of clay and iron ore and I resolved to find out a bit more about this when I get the chance.  In my guide notes – which were written five years ago – it was mentioned that when I reached Squibs Farm I might come across barking dogs behind a fence and was amazed and amused to find that they were still there and still barking! The approach to Etchingham across a field gives a great view of the impressive Etchingham Church. Henry Corbould, who designed the The Penny Black stamp, is buried in the churchyard.    A welcome party greeted me on my arrival at Etchingham Station made up of Felicity Whitehead and her Dachshund, Digby, along with Julie and Paul, the owners of the Bistro@the station. The creation of this stretch of the Trail was  made possible by the kind donation of Harriet and John Phipson (walking below) who have sponsored this section as it’s the one nearest to their home.

Setting off from Battle Station I walked up past Battle Abbey. It was a bit of a grey start but the cloud was lifting and the sun was beginning to break through.  I walked along Battle High Street and through the residential area of Netherfield.  I liked looking at houses and people’s gardens and imagining myself living in them.  I’ve lived in assorted accommodation throughout my life; a council flat, a tiny two room rental over the noisy Commercial Road in London, flats, then a house in Chelsea and now a lovely house and garden here in Sussex.  It’s amazing how we adapt to the space we’re in though I doubt I’d adapt so well to living in a tiny flat over the Commercial Road now! I love the peaceful countryside and the space and freedom I have here in Sussex:  I love Sussex!  As I progressed up a long hill the houses became larger and grander and I was soon walking through green fields.I had expected the footpaths to be overgrown with nettles and brambles as it was the middle of July but possibly, as a result of lockdown, more people have been out walking the footpaths and bridleways, as they were all well trodden and clear.  Also, because there’s been little rain, they are mostly dry and quite easy to walk. I walked across an old golf course which was now a wild flower meadow and saw a flight of  five silver magpies which made me smile.  Walking down through Burnthouse Wood, the dappled sun was coming through onto the path.  The guide notes said the paths here were beautiful but a bit neglected but I think there must have been a bit of a spring clean as the paths were clear. At the top of this wood I  joined a Zoom meeting of the FSH East Sussex Fundraising Committee on my phone. It was so good to catch up and share my progress with everyone.  Once again, I was amazed at how easy it was to connect up from the middle of nowhere……beam me up Scotty!    Some rain overnight had left the paths a bit slippery and I imagine this could be very muddy with prolonged rain.  The rain had left a  lovely fresh smell and the greenery looked fresh and alive.  The trail took me across part of a gypsum quarry next to the railway line where I saw some very arty looking railway sleepers wouldn’t look out of place in Tate Modern.  Gypsum was discovered here in the 1800s and ore is still mined today.  Continuing up through some fields full of sheep and their adolescent lambs. One hungry young thug, almost the same size as its mum, ferociously head-butted her undercarriage seeking its lunch – mum didn’t bat an eyelid and happily acquiesced.   The rolling hills of the pastoral landscape were incredibly beautiful and the perimeter paths of the wheat fields had been beautifully mown so that it made for very enjoyable and easy walking.   On reaching the 12th century All Saints church at Mountfield I walked around it, taking in the views of fields and woods across the valleys. It’s small church with a very warm, welcoming feel about it. Inside the stained glass window over the altar depicts a view of the valley complete with a tractor ploughing. Inside the porch was the following invocation to me, the traveller:

Pause ‘ere thou enter, traveller and bethink thee,

how holy, yet how homelike, is this place;

Time that thou spendest here will link thee

with men unknown who were once of thy race.

This is thy Father’s house: to Him address thee,

who here His children worship face to face;

He at thy coming in peace will bless thee,

thy going out make joyful with His Grace.

I did indeed feel joyful and realised that, but for doing this walk, I’d probably never have seen that lovely little church. From there a long driveway took me to the beautiful Mountfield Court which was built around 1715 by James Nicholl JP, then Sussex High Sheriff. Mountfield Court opens its gardens every year in aid of St Michael’s Hospice.   My walk continued through pastures and wound through a couple of tunnels under the railway line, eventually arriving at Robertsbridge Station.   The creation of this stretch of the trail was possible thanks to the support of Pashley Manor Gardens which has hosted several FSH events including some extremely successful and memorable summer concerts.  Its owners, Jim and Angela Sellick, have been stalwart supporters of FSH, Angela is a Patron, and their hospitality and generosity over the past 25 years has been amazing. The splendid gardens at Pashley Manor are open to the public for a large part of the year.  Its wonderful tulip festival draws thousands of visitors each year.  Sadly, visitors couldn’t come and see the beautiful displays this year but it was seen on tv and local camera man, Sam Moore, put together a YouTube clip for FSH.                                   

I left Crowhurst and after crossing a couple of fields arrived at a woodland entrance to the Fore Wood RSPB Nature Reserve.  The information panel and my guide notes promised a variety of birds and their accompanying birdsong, but I saw or heard neither.  It felt odd – I’d seen and heard lots of birds earlier.  I wondered if it was too hot for them…….maybe they didn’t perform at midday……..maybe they were having lunch…….maybe they’d  just forgotten to unmute! I continued on the delightful undulating path and exiting the wood,  spotted  a large Euroforest sign which read “Danger – forestry work – follow all signs and instructions”.  I guessed this accounted for the lack of birdsong so resolved to come back again in the spring when my guidenotes also promise rare ferns, bluebells and wood anemones. The trail took me across a couple of fields, one with cattle, through another small wood and across Powdermill Stream.  At Peppering Eye Farm I saw a very pretty oast house which had not long been reconstructed complete with its pointed roof and Sussex blinkered cowl. After crossing the entrance drive to The Powder Mills Hotel the path took me uphill onto the Senlac Hill ridge, the site of the Battle of Hastings.  Apparently one doesn’t refer to “the Battle of Hastings” hereabouts….it doesn’t go down too well.  Understandable, as Hastings is about 10 km from here.  Instead one refers to “the Battle of Senlac Hill”. The town of Battle, just down the hill, was obviously named after the battle but “the Battle of Battle” really wouldn’t have worked! Senlac Hill was originally known in English as Santlache meaning “sand lake”, which the Normans punned into Sanguelac “blood lake”, which was then shortened to Senlac.  (I picked up such trivia when I was High Sheriff of East Sussex nine years ago!)   After walking through a few more fields by a wooded area the trail led me to the imposing entrance of Battle Abbey, a Grade I listed building and a scheduled monument. William the Conqueror founded Battle Abbey on the exact spot where King Harold died as penance for the bloodshed of the Norman Conquest. The abbey thrived as a Benedictine monastery for over 400 years, and after its suppression in 1538 the abbot’s lodging was transformed into a grand country house which was owned by the Browne family and later the Webster family. Since 1922 part of the Abbey has housed a school. The Government has owned the Abbey since 1976 and it is now in the care of English Heritage. I crossed the surprisingly busy high street, into the offices of estate agents Batcheller Monkhouse.  I was greeted by Wendy Stirk and Rebecca Butler, both Partners of the firm.  Batcheller Monkhouse has been a tremendous champion of FSH over the years, having supported many events including several Christmas Fairs, and has hosted two receptions for us here in its Battle office. The office was  incredibly busy with a combination of lockdown being lifted and the stamp duty holiday announced by Rishi Sunak last week. This really was a fabulous walk with varied scenery and points of interest.  I will  definitely return in the spring! This section was sponsored by Robert Batcheller and dedicated to the RSPB Nature Reserve at Fore Wood and to the beautiful countryside near Battle where he is so lucky to work and live.

Another beautiful sunny day and a great start to the morning!  Before heading for West St Leonards I called at St Michael’s Hospice where Perdita Chamberlain greeted me and I met Jo Pinder, Inpatient Unit Nursing Manager, Penny Jones,Director of Nursing, Clair Bexhall, Inpatient Unit Team Leader and Rebecca Futrall, Fundraising Team Manager. Thank you to Kirsty Brown for taking our photo. St Michael’s provides hospice care and support for patients and their families within Hastings and Rother through its 24-bed inpatient unit, its wellbeing service and its hospice at home service.  Two-thirds of its patients are cared for at home.  The cost of running the hospice is over £6 million a year, 31% of which is provided by the NHS meaning the hospice must raise over £12,000 per day from voluntary sources….. not easy these days. 

From here I called into  the Community Nursing hub of Demelza Hospice Care for Children in St Leonards where Donna Mole – Care Team Leader, and Rachel Macloed – Trainee Nursing Associate, greeted me.  Demelza offers a community hospice at home service for children and young people up to the age of 18, from this hub, providing therapies, respite and end of life care across East Sussex.  Its hospices in Sittingbourne and Eltham have a combined 15 beds and cover wider catchment areas in Kent and south east London.  It costs approximately £11 million to provide these services – 13% of which comes from Government.  It felt good to reaffirm why I was doing this walk and I set off with an added zing from West St Leonards station.  A few of us did this walk last year on the Walk The Hospice Trail day and I was puzzled that there were parts I remembered and parts that felt completely new to me.  This was probably because I was so busy talking that I wasn’t taking in my surroundings! Today the sky was clear aside from a few faint mare’s tails and noticeably there were about three jet trails – the most I’ve seen at one time since March!  The Trail led me along a lovely woodland path where dappled sun filtered through the leafy canopy and then out into the Combe Valley Countryside Park. I did remember this from last year –  a heavenly combination of open water, ditches, grassland and scrub.  It reminded me of  childhood holidays in Ireland when we spent many hot sunny days such as this ‘helping’ the grown ups who were cutting and harvesting turf in the peat bog.  Happy memories….. and I felt happy now, connected with the natural beauty of my surroundings.  The trail runs alongside a stream, the Combe Haven, and it really is a haven for flora and fauna, like this peacock butterfly, and a nationally important population of dragonflies. 

The trail took me under the A2690 Hastings to Bexhill Combe Valley Way; along part of the 1066 Countryside Walk and on to Crowhurst.  At the stile by Grandilly Cottage I inhaled the heady perfume of honeysuckle which spilled profusely over its wall and only wished I could capture its scent in the photo I took.  I continued across a couple of fields with St George’s church in view and onto Forewood Lane where this walk finishes.  The West St Leonards to Crowhurst section of the trail was sponsored by Angela and Jim Sellick to celebrate the remarkable work done by St Michael’s Hospice in Hastings where Jim was a Trustee for over 25 years.

It was a beautiful sunny day as I set off from The Star Inn at Norman’s Bay.  The sky a powder blue and the moon a faint half crescent but I could imagine the whole sphere of it. I walked this route two years ago as part of the Walk the Hospice Trail day so I felt pretty confident as I set off up the lane and crossed a stile into a field heading away from the sea. The scenery was idyllic, patchwork fields, a little hamlet up on a distant hill, everything looked so clear and sharp and vibrant. I thought about the Summer Cabaret which would have been happening this evening but for the coronavirus pandemic.  The concert is one of our major annual fundraisers – it raised just over £93,000 last year – and Robert Bathurst and Celia Imrie were to have performed (both giving their services for free). It promised to be such fun and the weather would have been perfect. I walked through several fields across stiles and little bridges, it was very easy walking.  It was so peaceful; I felt happy -elated even. The path took me onto Cooden Beach Golf Club where I diligently walked around the edge keeping away from the golfers and possible stray balls – there were quite a few golfers out and every one I passed said ‘good morning’ to me.  I went a little off-piste where I had to cross a fairway and some very helpful players guided me back on track.  On the subject of golf I’d like to thank Phil and Barry who are organising a golf event this weekend at West Hove Golf Club to raise money for FSH and St Barnabas – so good that they’ve got this good weather for it. Once through the golf course I continued south to Cooden Beach.  I stopped at Beaulieu Green – an open green space raised up from the beach – and sat on a bench looking back along the coast.  I ate a protein bar, had some water and drank in the view. There were quite a few people walking along the beach – some in clusters – some with dogs and there were a few people paddling in the sea, which was very calm.  In the distance I could see some sailboats racing. Re-fuelled I continued along some residential drives and crescents and emerged on the seafront.  I strolled along past rows of pretty beach huts and stopped at The Kiosk where I saw a sign offering tubs of Maresfield Farm ice cream for dogs – it contains all sorts of vitamins and ingredients that are good for them.  They sold ice cream to humans too so I stopped and bought one from Kay and chatted to her about what I was doing. Enjoying my ice cream, I past the beautifully kept seafront gardens dotted with some clever railway sleeper sculptures and interspersed with seating and play areas.  The play areas were all marked “Closed” due to Covid-19. I walked on past the iconic De La Warr Pavilion which was built in 1935 as a ‘public building’ comprising a theatre, restaurant and reading room. It underwent extensive restoration in 2005 and as well as being a theatre it is now a contemporary arts centre, and  gallery. East of the Pavilion I came upon a stainless steel tubular model of an old racing car, underneath a plaque reads “1902 – Bexhill on Sea – the birthplace of British motor racing”.  Apparently the 8th Earl De La Warr, who owned this stretch of land encouraged the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland to organise the ‘Great Whitsuntide Motor Races’ in May that year. Because it was held on private land it was exempt from the national speed limit of 12 miles per hour.  The races were all won by French driver, Leon Serpollet, in his steam car Easter Egg, which reached a speed of 54 miles an hour (a replica can be seen at Bexhill Museum). I climbed up Galley Hill along a narrow walking and cycle path between the railway line and the beach which took me on to West St Leonards. The path was very busy with walkers, runners and cyclists.  There were several little pelotons of families cycling together –  some parents keeping the toddlers on course by dextrous use of a pole attached to the rear of the child’s bike! On reaching West St Leonards I bumped into two friends, Tim and Laurinne.  Tim had walked a section of the trail three years ago with my friends Julia and Anadi who did it barefoot!  It was such a lovely surprise to see them. Reaching the main promenade brought to mind the Hastings Half Marathon – I’ve hopped from foot to foot at the start line here a few times over the years – partly from excitement – partly to keep warm.   Despite it being a challenging course – very hilly and often accompanied by horizontal, icy rain coming straight from Siberia – I’ve always enjoyed the Hastings Half. Maybe the memory has a bit to do with feeling happy and relieved that I’d survived it each time. This walk today couldn’t have been more different; pretty much completely flat, in beautiful sunshine and accompanied by a gentle cooling breeze from warmer climes. This stretch of the trail was sponsored by Velda Carter and her son Sean in memory of Velda’s husband, David, who was cared for by St Michael’s Hospice during his fight against leukaemia.

I had more of a spring in my step this morning – I think my spring is weather-dependent and today promised much  better walking weather than the past two days.

On leaving the Pier it was mild, no wind and the sea was very calm.  It was cloudy but the breaks allowed the sun to come through accentuating the horizon with a long shining silver line of light.  I took a photo – I’ve taken far too many photos on my walks but there are so many beautiful or quirky sights I’ve wanted to capture and I know they’ll be brilliant mementos of this walk for me. I’d walked this part of the trail before.  Once, when Sue Korman and I originally tracked it and again with family, in memory of my step-son Christopher.   All the interesting places I passed, the Redoubt Fortress & Military Museum, the Treasure Island Venture Park and the Sailing Club, were closed. There was no sign of life in the hundreds of hotels stretching along the Grand Parade, but as I progressed along the promenade it became busier with people strolling, cycling, running and walking their dogs.  Some dog owners really do look like their dogs – or their dogs look like them! I passed the Martello Towers (there are four on this walk), originally built as small defensive forts during the Napoleonic War, and headed towards Sovereign Harbour, and continued through the Marina and across the locks.

I remember when I tracked this walk with Sue, we had to wait at the locks while a beautiful sailing boat went through on its way out of the marina.  It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end at the time as I realised how appropriate it was that Jack and I sponsored this section of the Trail in memory of Christopher who died of esophageal cancer the year before. We chose this section because Christopher had been supported so brilliantly by St Wilfrid’s Hospice and Eastbourne DGH. Christopher loved sailing.  He was a very competent sailor.  In his twenties he’d obtained his Master Mariner’s Certificate and had sailed across the Atlantic.  I felt that this was his way of saying hello.  I thought of him today as I walked across the locks.

The walk continued on along the coast – I chose the option of not walking on the shingle, but through a caravan park and holiday homes.  It was a very pleasant walk, now in full sunshine as I reached  Norman’s Bay Station where this section of the Trail ends.

My walk started in Alfriston where was ‘seen off’ by Jimmy & Fran. I think these canine send offs might have something to do with my posing by signsposts they frequent!  I chatted with their owner, Nick of Emmett & White Antiques, told him about my walk and then headed off across the Cuckmere River and up on to the Downs.  It was grey and murky again today and it got greyer and murkier as I climbed up the track onto the Downs. Once up, where my guide notes promised some fabulous views, all I could see was mist – visibility was about 50 metres – such a pity as I know this walk has some stunning views.  My path took me across the Folkington Estate which brought to mind a fabulous summer concert hosted by Harry and Jacquie Brunjes at Folkington Manor in 2015 where Alexander Armstrong and Jonathan Veira performed. Harry and Jacquie have been great supporters of FSH over the years.  Another Folkington resident, David Dimbleby,  endorsed FSH’s very first Mad March Hospice Quiz for us in 2014. I trundled on down into Jevington – a pretty,  sleepy village which has nestled in this narrow valley for a thousand years. I dined here with friends  at The Hungry Monk, home of the Banoffee Pie, many years ago.  It is now a holiday cottage.  Climbing out of the shelter of Jevington, back up onto the Downs, the weather had not improved!  There was a blustery wind and needle-pin rain and I was grateful for my Berghaus waterproof jacket with its very protective hood.   Without the distraction of scenery – or any sheep or cattle – I was able to get into the rhythm of simply walking and going within – my mind kept interrupting – but I managed to switch it off for a little time. On the approach down into Eastbourne I recalled the last time I was in this spot  – it was three years ago when I came to do a photo shoot with some of the gorgeous young tennis stars participating in  the Eastbourne Tennis Tournament.  FSH has been the chosen charity of the tournament for the past four years – this would have been our fifth but, like most events this year, it was cancelled. I came off the Downs and into Eastbourne along its deserted promenade. The sea was grey and rough but at least it had stopped raining.   Our charity has many connections with Eastbourne though its Chamber of Commerce; The Grand Hotel has been particularly supportive over the years, hosting away- days, meetings and supporting our fundraising events. On my way back from the walk I called in at St Wilfrid’s Hospice where  Chief Executive David Scott-Ralphs, Medical Director David Barclay, and members of the nursing team greeted me and posed for a photo.  It felt very odd holding a conversation wearing a face mask.  Apart from briefly donning one for shopping, I hadn’t done this before and it brought home to me a little of what front line staff have had to get used to and how difficult it must be for them and their patients. It must be especially difficult for people with poor hearing – my hearing is not 100% and I unconsciously lip-read.   It also made me aware of how expressive our eyes are, how we connect and smile with them. St Wilfrid’s serves a population of 235,000 people covering an area of around 300 square miles. It receives 35% Government funding.  The inpatient unit has been at full capacity and hospice at home care has  increased hugely over the past three months. While I was there, Val, one of St Wilfrid’s long-standing volunteers called in with cakes she’d made for the staff.  I was given a slice which I munched in the car on the drive home – it was scrummy! Walk 8 of The Sussex Hospices Trail was sponsored by Jeanette Swayne in memory of her husband Tim. They both loved walking and enjoyed the flora and fauna of this beautiful area together.

It was a grey and drizzly morning and I have to admit my step didn’t have much spring in it as I set off from Southease and headed up onto the Downs.  I took the steep path up to the top – stopping for breath at intervals – and was rewarded by the stunning panoramic view.  Despite the murky weather and shifting mists I could see down to where the Ouse spilled out into the sea at Newhaven; the little village of Southease nestled in trees; and pretty much all of Lewes.  Lewes is home to Gorringe’s Auction House, wonderful supporters of FSH, who organised a fantastic auction for us in 2016. I could only imagine how magnificent this view must be on a clear day.  My only companions up here were sheep and cows – who seemed to take their surroundings very much for granted.  The knowledge that the South Downs were created by the same tectonic forces that lifted up the Alps and Himalayas, made me feel how small the world is and how connected we all are.  The mist closed in as I walked the well trodden grassy path across to Firle Beacon – good for the meditation process, no distracting panoramic views – I could hardly see the sheep!  I don’t find it easy to switch off my mind and go within but I have been able to on most of the walks so far. Firle Beacon brought back memories of many jogs and walks I’ve done around here with my friend Louise in all seasons over many years – often with our dogs Daisy and Bumble – both sadly now  in doggy heaven.  We’d talk and talk and we hardly drew breath.  We meet up less often these days – usually over at Ditchling Beacon – we still talk and talk but there’s more walking than jogging now. From here I could just make out the wind turbine at Glyndebourne.  Gus Christie, its  Executive Chairman, is a Patron of FSH and we’ve been very fortunate to have received the generous support of Glyndebourne over the past 20 years or so.   It has hosted a Christmas Fair, numerous Bridge Lunches, and three very successful Christmas Concerts featuring The Sixteen, raising a huge amount of money for our  Sussex hospices.  Dame Felicity Lott, another FSH Patron, who has often performed at Glyndebourne, sent me a lovely ‘wave’ photo today. FSH has a cluster of Patrons along this stretch of the Trail.  Just to the right of Glyndebourne I could spy the village of Firle and Firle Place, the stately home of another FSH Patron, Viscount Gage, who hosted a memorable Summer Concert for us in 2010. After a slight incline at Bopeep Bostal (bostal means a small road leading up a hill) the path carried me at a faster pace down towards Alfriston, a lovely, usually bustling, village on the Cuckmere River.  Today there were a handful of people in the square and the tea shops and pubs were very quiet – probably a combination of the weather and Covid-19.   These walks are all so different. This really was a quiet and contemplative walk for me which I doubt would have been the case in finer weather.  Walk 7 was sponsored by Jan Salter in memory of  her husband Richard,  who was cared for by both St Peter & St James Hospice and St Catherine’s Hospice.

I was seen off (in the nicest possible way)  from Brighton Station, the start of walk 6, by Rudy, the four legged barista at The Coffee Counter. A huge colourful portrait of Rudy adorns the wall by the entrance.  I chatted with Haden (Rudy’s boss) and Ellie as they were setting up gazebos and tables outside.  I told them what I was doing and they offered me a coffee on the house.  What a lovely start to the day!  The sun was shining and half-way down West Street the fresh, salty smell of the sea reached my nostrils and I felt as though I was on holiday.  The sea couldn’t have looked more different from when I’d last been here on Sunday.  Today it was like a mill pond: no surfers; no waves. I walked eastward along the front past Brighton Pier – normally buzzing with holiday makers in early July – maybe it was just too early in the day.  Brighton’s most famous and loved attraction, the Brighton Palace Pier is visited by millions of sightseers, day trippers and holiday-makers every year and has been since it was first opened, nearly 120 years ago.  I continued along past the Sealife Centre and then along Marine Parade and gazed down onto Marine Drive Promenade – the start and finish locations for both the Brighton Half and Full Marathons – at the bronze of Brighton-born Steve Ovett sculpture by local artist, Peter Webster. I recalled the excitement of many starts – and exhausted finishes – down there. The Brighton Half Marathon is organised by and in aid of The Sussex Beacon, the AIDS/HIV hospice in Bevendean which I’d planned to call in on later today. I stopped for a cool lime thirst-quencher with Duncan and Fran Stewart in the lockdown manicured garden of their beautiful house on Marine Parade.  Duncan is one of the current nine completers of the Sussex Hospices Trail. He raised a huge amount for his efforts  in sponsorship for FSH.   Duncan recalled some very muddy interludes when he walked the trail two years ago.  I slapped on some sun cream, said my farewells and headed on eastward. I continued past the Nudist Beach, the Volks Railway and into Brighton Marina.  The guide notes warned not to take the Undercliff Walk if the weather was stormy so I strode on.  Once past the Marina this was excellent meditation territory.  A long, long stretch of nothingness – a concrete pathway between the very tall chalk cliff and the sea.  I was distracted momentarily by the cooing of a pigeon who was standing at the entrance of his cave nest in the cliff and I stopped to say hello and took his photo. I met up with Juliet Smith in the car park near the Saltdean Lido – she welcomed me with a delicious fruit drink and a protein bar. Juliet sponsored this section of the Trail in memory of her late husband Martin and her step-daughter, Rebecca. Juliet has been my “coach” and walking companion in the run up to this venture and we had in fact walked the remainder of this walk a month or so ago. On leaving Juliet I headed up onto the Downs. Fabulous views taking in the coast and rolling verdant hills. Poppies edged the path across the fields and I walked on through grazing sheep and descended into the village of Telscombe.  This charming village is unusual as there is no road down to the coast, which is why it seems so isolated even though it is so near the sea. On leaving Telscombe I climbed back up onto the Downs and spied this amazing snail colony in a derelict wooden gate post.  It was fascinating and wouldn’t be at all out of place in Tate Modern – not sure the snails would be happy in Tate Modern though. I continued down into a large valley, through South Farm – chewed the cud with a dairy cow – and up into Southease where I met up with my friend Alice who gave me a delicious sandwich and drink and took my finishing photo. We sat and talked on a bench outside the church, one of only three in Sussex with a round tower.  It has a fascinating history, dating back to the 10th century – alas, it was closed due to Coronavirus, so I couldn’t look inside. I headed towards Southease Rail Station and the end of this section of the Trail.  On my way home I met up with Richard Lintott, Chief Executive of Leo House at Home.  This section of the Trail is nearest to Leo House which funds specialist nurses, caring for life limited children in Sussex. It operates as part of the Chestnut Tree House community team and receives no government funding. It was good to catch up with Richard – he and his wife Angie  had tracked/charted several sections of the Sussex Hospices Trail as part of its creation. I then called in on The Sussex Beacon at Bevendean where I was greeted by Bill Puddicombe, Chief Executive and Sarah, a member of the nursing team.  It was good to connect and catch up on their news.  The Beacon has cancelled pretty much all their fundraising events for the remainder of the year and were hoping that the Brighton Half Marathon would go ahead next year as it generates significant income for the charity.  When I eventually got home there was a message on my answerphone from Alice saying that after I left her at Southease  she chatted with a man on a nearby bench and told him about my walk.  He gave her a donation of £5 for FSH.  Aren’t people wonderful!  A lovely end to a fabulous day.