Day nine – A283 layby near Upper Beeding to A24

Day nine – A283 layby near Upper Beeding to A24 

“Human in the middle” 

Started off today by passing a water tap with a basin, built in the same year I was born.  Funny how sharing something as simple as a date immediately brings about a feeling of connection.   Unfortunately on closer inspection, although the outside looked good, the inside was dirty and the tap leaking according to the signs. 

I crossed the river by the bridge and watched two swans down below.  Just as I came off the bridge, I met a couple of horse riders coming in the other direction.  The horses weren't too keen on the idea of traversing the bridge,  but eventually complied.   

The path from here on, beside the river, was beautiful.  It was lined with a tall, delicate plants that gave the impression of it frothing up on either side. 

Just round the corner I found a forest school, identified by all the signs on the gate, but didn't see any teachers or children today.  It was called ‘Wild Foxes'. 

The next part of the journey was truly unique.  I had to walk through a free-range pig farm.  Apart from the notice on the gate warning not to feed the pigs, you were aware of their presence before seeing them through the smell and the noise. I’m not sure if they are free to roam onto the South Downs Pathway, but assuming they could was a little unnerving in itself.  Either way, they stayed off to each side of me as I walked down the middle.  There were hundreds of stys stretching into the distance and multiple pigs to each of those.       

A bit higher up seemed to be where the mum's were kept with their litters.  One sow with her two piglets came rushing up to the fence to greet me.   She didn't seem aggressive and I got some lovely photos of the three together.   

Alongside Steyning Bowl, a well known and admired view, are memorial benches, with message to take in the sight.  I didn't have time to stop and rest, but I did look as I passed by, however the weather was quite misty. 

There is another memorial just a little farther on up the hill to a farmer and later his wife.  I can only assume they used to own and farm these fields.      

Next, to the famous Chanctonbury Ring of trees on the hilltop.  A board explained that a 16 year old lad called Charles Goring planted them in 1760.  He wrote this poem later in life: 

Oh!  Could I live to see thy top 

In all is beauty dress’d 

That time’s arrived; I’ve had my wish, 

And lived to eighty-five. 

I'll thank my God who gave such grace, 

As long as e're I live. 

I did go into the tree ring briefly and noticed a little glass lantern filled with dead flowers placed in the nook of a tree.  I wondered what they had been left for. 

A while after this, I passed by a bull.  He didn't even bother to raise his head to acknowledge my presence, but it occurred to me, and I was surprised I had not considered this before, how lonely a life they must live for they are always kept in solitary conditions.  I thought it rather sad. 

Finally I descended the last steep hill and watched a farmer on his quad bike effortlessly tackle the slope while I did so on foot.