Another Sunday in Sussex and

drawing with a biro!

My wife and I had planned to try walking to Firle and Alfriston from Southease. Given the stifling heat we felt a long walk up and down hills was not a good idea. So, we settled for Seaford and Cuckmere Haven in the hope of a sea breeze. Only a slight hill to warm us up and then the rest is flat along the river. I think even the wild life was laid low in the heat as wild activity seemed less than normal. Anyway, it was very sticky. Luckily a slight breeze running along the Cuckmere River valley helped keep us cool. As did a pint of Harvey's bitter along the way.

My plan was to sketch. Well, to sketch something at least. However, I had a slight glitch, an age thing called being absent-minded. I had left my tin of pencils back in the car! All I could find in my bag was an old cracked biro. So I attempted in the heat to quickly sketch something (as shown above) so that at least I could say I had tried.

The light at Cuckmere can be mesmerizing and it was just so clear for such a humid day! The sea was a dark blue, with the tide coming back up the river, the water was a pale turquoise. The white cliffs in such conditions take on an extra dimension, their bright white faces reflecting onto a mirror of calm sea. On the horizon a strange strip of pale yellow.

And to think, last Sunday my sketching was cut short by a cold breeze!

Ricard water jug

Back home I have this old French cafe 'Ricard' water jug and heavy rimmed tumblers. The shape of the jug fascinates me; I love the warm earthy colour and find it very sculptural. I would love to produce a giant version. Though when I try drawing it, for some reason from certain angles, no matter how hard I try and produce a seemingly accurate result, it just never looks quite believable. The drawing above shows the viewpoint that I find the easiest to capture. I will try again and try harder.

Firle Beacon to Alfriston
This sketch I completed last year, shows a view on the South Downs towards Alfriston where I hope to go walking this weekend, weather permitting (well, I suppose I am largely a fair weather walker). Maybe if I was feeling brave, I could start from Southease. That would be too far! Going might be OK but I would never make it back on foot.

When I stand on Firle Beacon looking over to Lewis or over to Seaford Head, I feel certain this must be the highest point for miles, if not the whole of the South Downs. But in fact, Ditchling Beacon or Buster Hill on the downs in Hampshire (both at 900ft) win. Anyway, I reckon you would find it very difficult to show me a better view anywhere in the south east.

On a walk, I like to hear the noise of the wind, the wildness and not traffic. Even at a wonderful spot like this you are never far from the maddening crowd. I am affraid I am not a lover of mountain bikes though, and now at times I feel there are just too many. They are so often reckless, fun for them, but they rarely give you sufficient warning of approach. I am not a fan, but yes, I am a cynic I guess. So what, let the bikers rush past me in a sweat missing the chance to enjoy small things. As you walk at a slow and considered pace, you don't miss the rare wild flowers, the butterfies on the path side and the chance to say hello to other walkers. I have walked the downs for over 30 years. It is far busier now, I can't be selfish I suppose and have to admit it is a good thing to see this open space being used so much for pleasure.

Hmm, Mountain bikes, Crazy! I never remember seeing even one cyclist on the downs in the seventies. Maybe the odd kid on a chopper! I like my peace so that makes me an old fart. Well, I can live with that.

The 7 sisters, I just can't keep away

When you arrive down at Cuckmere Haven on the south side of the river looking east, for some reason the cliffs don't look that imposing (well, not to me at any rate). But if you cross the river at low tide, you then come face to face with a sheer cliff face, now it is an entirely different aspect. An immense vertical wall of chalk that makes you feel insignificant.

So, after crossing the river and facing to the east, the first Sister is Haven Brow, then Short Brow, Rough Brow, Brass Point, Flat Hill, Baily's Hill, and Went Hill Brow.

From the top of the cliffs the views are breath taking, if you still have any left after the climb. On this part of the coast your eyes are taken on a trip you can't resist, along the very edge of the cliffs all the way to the horizon. At anytime of the day the light here can be astonishing. When the sun shines on the cliffs in the evening, or late afternoon in the winter months, the Sisters in their white chalk are often so bright they will leave you squint-eyed.

The sketch

The sketch here looks eastwards, and is drawn from a low view point looking towards Belle Tout Lighthouse. The brave walkers on the top of Haven Brow appear as tiny dots. I have cheated a little and moved some wild flowers in to help add scale and interest to the low angle. Lying low helps keep me out of the strong sea breeze which often streams relentlessly inland.

Still thinking

Sunday in Southease, what a glorious June day. I am still having enjoyment just thinking about it.

Looking down from the church over the green it was reminiscent of days gone past. Simple pleasures, the reality of a modern hectic world and its problems were no where to be seen. People too busy making up their minds what jumble to buy. Which second hand book? Perhaps a second hand suitcase? Do I have tea, or homemade ginger beer or lemonade, and why not cake as well!

Sunday

A day to remember spent in the hamlet of Southease, a beautiful secret, that lies nestling in the Sussex downs. Sunday was the day the locals of Southease chose to help raise money to mend the church. And what a glorious day. Visitors were invited to visit 6 enchanting gardens and then take tea on the village green.

Looking down over the green, the church stands clad in scaffolding, tucked away in the cool shadow of trees now full of summer growth.

The crayon sketch depicts this sunny day with a fresh sea breeze. The village green is under preparation for opening at 2pm.

Mid June...

Like so many of us, I just wonder where does time go? Is it like nature? Watch it emerge lush, and you are excited. And then all too so soon it fades away again. I thought it was still spring, but summer is here and I hope it lingers longer than last year when as soon as it arrived it disappeared again.

This sketch was done on a patio in Brittany. It was a cold but bright spring morning.

Little pots with last years surviving growth still settled in corners of the garden looking neglected, and in disarray, as if waiting. But despite all, still able and willing to provide their sensory pleasure and visual harmony all over again for another summer.