Lunch on Ditchling Beacon
Saturday 25th September 2021
Took the train down to Hassocks, and repeated a circular walk from last summer, up to Ditchling Beacon and back again.
London September 2021
John's Pictures

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The trains were a bit disrupted today, and it seemed to take a long time to get to Hassocks - an hour into my journey and I'd only made it as far as East Croydon.

11:04:28
Still, things did improve a bit from there on, as there was plenty of space in fake first class on the Thameslink.

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..and once out of London there were lovely views of the countryside to be had.

11:51:02
After arriving in Hassocks, I decided to follow country lanes to Ditchling Beacon.

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Quite delighted to be out in the countryside.

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New vineyard / winery.

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A misty view of the downs.

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Blackberries - alas I hadn't brought a suitable container to collect them.

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Sheep and the downs.

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Underhill Lane.

12:12:32
This sort of thing drives me absolutely nuts.

12:14:54
Attempting to recreate a photo from a couple of years ago...

12:15:17
...although it was February the previous time, with a dusting of snow on the downs...

12:16:23
That new winery again.

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The ascent of Ditchling Beacon.

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Views part way up.

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Scabious - possibly Devil's bit rather than field scabious?

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More views further up the hill.

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Some kind of memorial tree.

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Still quite misty when I reached the top.

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The trig point atop Ditchling Beacon.

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Me looking a bit worn out atop Ditchling Beacon.

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I rather like this photo.

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Settling down for lunch for a bit, in a nice spot just off the path atop Ditchling Beacon.

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With some Gevrey Chambertin to accompany lunch.

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Although my dehydrated camping meal was probably not deserving of the accompanying fine wine.

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My little campstove.

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A novel solution to prevent knocking over the wine glass / bottle.

13:27:08
The view from where I ate lunch.

13:32:53
Cheers.

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Video of the view.

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The sky starting to clear a bit now.

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Heading back towards Hassocks now.

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What a difference a blue sky makes!

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Looking very pleased to be outdoors.

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Nice dew pond.

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These South Downs Way signposts always make me smile.

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Chalky tracks.

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Near the Jack and Jill windmills.

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A little coffee truck.

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One of the Jack and Jill windmills.

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The view from near the windmills.

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Heading down the hill to Clayton.

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Last glimpse of the downs before getting the train at Hassocks.

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...and some more Gvrety Chambertin in fake first class on the train on the way home.

16:53:01
Not sure why this was necessary.