Day twelve - A285 near Upwaltham to Cocking Hill

Day twelve - A285 near Upwaltham to Cocking Hill 

“To infinity and beyond!”

There was only one instruction I needed for today's walk and that was: Walk forward!  Every sign today pointed straight ahead and there was barely a curve to be seen in the track the whole way. 

It was raining a little again today which in the initial field caused the mud to build up on my shoes, making it feel like I'd added exercise weights to my ankles, however the first field did look pretty as the farmer had left a border of white daisies all around the outside.

I was pleased when I entered the tree section and it became a decent track.  I found a couple of trees along the way which had red patches where the bark had rubbed off and they formed somewhat interesting shapes too.  I also went through a section of evergreens which cast a dark light over the tunnel, giving a mythical and otherworldly feel.  I sighted a mound too, but didn't really consider this could be a burial spot, although I may be wrong. 

It was very deserted along this section of the route, which was lovely to be able to see and listen to nature.   There was however a man strimming or cutting something at one point.   

Twice in this route, I saw a sign for the Unicorn Inn.  I figured this must be a new name for the pub as the unicorn craze only happened in recent years and I doubt very much any pub would have been historically called that. 

There were Covid signs, even out in country.  You can feel quite distant from the pandemic when you are out walking every day. When I came back into farming land I found that the sheep had decided to hang out their washing on a rainy day.  Clearly no one had watched a weather forecast!  All along the fence were rows upon rows of little pieces of fleece hung from the wire.

Having been in amongst trees for the majority of the walk, it was nice now to have a view. 

A little down the hill and I came across a novel latch on a gate which I've never seen before.  It allows the gate to swing to and fro before finally letting it come to rest in the central position, latching it in place.  I thought it was a clever idea.   

Now for the third leaking tap of the South Downs Way, only this one was gushing on full power.  A whole steam descended from it.   

This is when I spotted the distinctive mustard-yellow doors and windows of the houses attached to the Cowdray estate.   I have driven through these areas before and love the look.  The official paint colour is called ‘Gold Cup’ which reminds me of all the buttercups I've seen among the walk so far.  It was chosen originally due to the 1^st Viscount Cowdray's connections to the liberal party.