Cast Off
NEWHAVEN LOOP VIA FIRLE BEACON, SOUTHEASE AND THE OUSE In collecting a few unwalked bits on the South Downs, the highlight was that I've now walked part of the same stretch in very contrasting weather conditions. I feel I need a frosty or snowy take in the future. I will bank this intention. Onward through Autumn, I experienced my first potential hat-wearing morning although I left without one. It soon warmed up but the day remained crystal clear with quite lengthy views at times, north and south. With only one gentle hill slog, the route was simple and mentally and physically forgiving, highly appropriate for a later start due to an earlier appointment. Once again, I am reassured that a little variation on the Downs is a valuable exercise. The hills are the big feature and although barren-looking in places, different aspects reveal lonesome hedge-lined ways, winding through the unfamiliar bottoms and curves. I remind myself that this is a landscape multipally millennially old, eve...
