“I did what you suggested and packed light!”  Paul said as I clambered onto the Nr 12 bus, causing it to sag alarmingly under my weight!  Although I swore blindly that I would not be taking more than a camera body and two lenses on this walk, I somehow managed to cram a million and one camera items into a backpack the size of a caravan, topped this off with the kitchen sink and a last minute impulse purchase of two books.  Not to worry!  We were on the bus and on our way.  The bus wheezing and straining as it climbed out of Eastbourne and up into the Downs.

Two minutes later (yes we were lazy enough to catch the bus to the edge of town) we were dodging golf balls as we made our way along the chalk path on the South Downs Way!  As it happened the weather turned out to be all blue skies, white billowing clouds and long spells of sunshine.  As we walked and snapped away, I slowly turned into a happy tomato!  Ah, you just can’t beat the sun!

We blissfully made our way towards village of Jevington, wandering and chatting our way through the rolling green Downs, dotted with grazing sheep and dog walkers as far as the eye could see.  Along the way we were presented with ominous signs that read ‘Your dog could be shot if found amongst sheep’.  And the more intriguing command “Sheep!  Dogs on a lead please!  Try as I did, I failed to spot a single dog walking sheep!  Oh well by that point we had reached the 8 Bells pub where the notorious horse thief and smuggler Jevington Jigg used to reside!  Even today there seems to be a penchant for horse thievery, if a poster appealing for information regarding the theft of two ponies, was anything to go by!

After a quick lunch and a beer (I hoped this would aid me in spotting the dog walking sheep) we headed out for the second leg of our walk.  This took us through Lulington Heath Nature Reserve famed for it black adders (none spotted on this walk) but I did spy a whole host of dragonflies, damselflies and newts in a pond tucked behind some thick growth just off the path.  My legs and ankles got a thorough stinging by nettles as I tried to entice the local pond dwellers to pose for a portrait or two!

From the reserve we started heading back towards the coast, tackling snap hill and then descended into East Dean for a well-deserved beer and rest.  Two lessons were learnt on this trip!  One camera body and two lenses will suffice for an informal walk, as this is all I used, even though I carted half the household along!  The second is not to attempt a lengthy walk using brand new boots.  Paul, who now goes by the name of “Blisters” can vouch for this!  All in all it was a great day out.  A mini holiday away from the drudgery of staring at a computer screen editing through way to many images!  Thanks to Paul, Chris, Anabel and Tiki.

It all starts with a sign! 

....should really read...dog and owner could be shot ....

The path down to Jevington and the home of Jevington Jigg!

Old habits seem to die hard and horse thievery is still rife in these parts!

The Scorpion Fly! This is acutally part of the lacewing family. The tail end is not a sting!

Scorpion fly feeding.

Damselfly Portrait!

Heading for Lulington Heath NR

The last strech!

A carpet of yellow leads the way to the Tiger In!