This week there is a theme of travel.  Travels by car, by coach and then by foot, as me and Mr Cooper valiantly attempt to walk the South Downs Way in a week.

But firstly, I know you must be looking forward to more news of our latest 6th wedding anniversary.........there will be a slight disappointment on that front, as we only had 2 ceremonies all those years ago.  so no more wedding photos!
But to cheer you up, let's look at our wedding artwork instead.

I created and produced this lino-cut to be the design on our invitations, and the order of ceremony.
If you love this style, and your wedding is being planned even as you are reading this, you will be happy to hear that  commissions are gladly undertaken.  Or, why not propose to someone, just to I can design you invitations?

Back now to travel, and a visit to Mum's, in the comfort of my 16-year old Volvo.  This is a journey I have made so many times, and during the last 5 years we have taken to stopping for refreshment at the Stratton Arms in Turweston, near Brackley.
Do not even think of calling in there unless you totally love a pub with tables for drinkers to sit at, visiting real ales, filled rolls on the bar for £1.50, and always the right pint glass for your choice of beer.  Plus, no fruit machine or anyone playing with their phones.  And joy of joys, they were serving Everard's Tiger, just the right accompaniment to my ham salad roll.

And the 'joy of joys' feeling did not stop there.  The village where Mum lives has only one pub left, and their wonderful Indian restaurant closed a couple of years ago.  Recently, a new sign had appeared outside the closed restaurant......'Opening soon, Gastro Pub' and when we drove past the sign had changed to Now Open.  So the 3 of us hastened there to have a pre-dinner drink and to be generally nosey.  We ended up sharing a starter and relaxing in lovely surroundings being looked after by friendly, efficient staff.  So, joy of joys, a place where we can eat out with pleasure, in the village.

And it was pleasure too that we admired Mum's side garden, which had been sewn with wildflower seeds 3 years ago, and now, each spring, a slightly different wildflower spectacle appears.

Enough of floral rhapsodising, let's get back to the important issue of food......
........followed by a little light  culture.

We went to the Bluebell pub in Glinton for our Sunday lunch, and very good too. http://www.thebluebellglinton.co.uk/ We all had different and delicious starters and mains, and having read the dessert menu, all opted for the same one.  Pimms jelly with macerated strawberries and a mint granita, superb.

After such a gastronomic couple of hours, we hastened over the road to compensate with a visit to Saint Benedict's church for our afternoon's culture.  http://www.glinton.net/church.html
There are some lovely gargoyles to be found on this church, but the last in the line is with a difference.  Apparently there was a bit of a disagreement about the money the stone carvers were owed, so they left the church with this rude memento.

And then inside, to marvel at the huge spider that lives in the belfry.
Luckily, it appeared to be resting, so all was well.

Then back to west Sussex, to check all our equipment, and prepare ourselves for the week of walking.
We were joined for this by Susie and Werner, who also stayed with us for the duration.  I had, of course, planned ahead (along with KBO, another invaluable motto is 'Preparation, preparation and preparation') and filled the freezer with nutritious and delicious dishes, and filled my fridge with the accompanying vegetables.  In fact, I was so prepared that I was going to use the evenings to create the beginnings of a significant artwork. (Ha ha)

It was a very long and tiring week, but well worth it, the countryside was absolutely stunning throughout, and so different every day.
Below will follow a very brief description of the week's walk, punctuated by some images.

Day One, Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Cocking road, 13 miles.
Bit of a worrying start to the day.......

..........but the rain stopped in time for us all to complete, and mainly enjoy, the first leg.
My coat is no longer waterproof!

Day Two, Cocking road to Whiteways car park, 9 miles.
Being in a small group, with some friction going on, does not make for a very pleasant day .
Plus, we paid good money to do this!
My shower-proof coat is not very showerproof!

Day 3, cocking to Whiteways car park, 9 miles (though it was really nearly 11)
Much more enjoyable, perhaps I will make it to the end.  Mr Cooper thinks so too!
Too tired to do anything more than produce the evening meal.
Have bought a new coat from Chichester, at the end of the day.

Day 4, Whiteways to Washington, 9 miles.
At last, a pub at the end of the walk!  Good job I can drink a pint quickly.....here comes the coach.

Day 5  Washington to Devil's Dyke, 12 miles.
Absolutely stunning again, especially Devil's Dyke.
A pity the pub there is not as good as the view.........another rapid pint consumed.
Some parts of my body have stopped hurting as others take over.  Why are we doing this again?

Day 6, Devil's Dyke to Newmarket Inn, 13 miles.
A beautiful day, and at the end of the walk we enjoyed a pint outside by the propane gas tank, watching  workmen doing their best to unblock the drains.  Luckily we managed to use the facilities just before we couldn't!

Day 7, Newmarket inn to Alfriston.
We ended up bu being at the highest point on the ridge, passing by the two ariels, when we were caught in the worst thunderstorm I have ever experienced.  And no, we didn't crouch down, having discarded our poles....we walked extremely quickly for the last 5 miles, becoming saturated as we did so. ( My coat worked, but not my boots or shorts.)
 Apparently Alfriston is a beautiful village full of tea shops and pubs.  We were so soaked we would not have been allowed in them!  Perhaps we will return one day.

Day 8, Alfriston to Eastbourne, (11 miles) which felt a lot longer.
After a steep climb, we saw the sea, towards which we were heading, hurrah!

So, so beautiful, but thank goodness there were only 7 sisters.....

and two light houses before Beachy Head.

Then downhill all the way to the best cup of tea ever, at the end of the walk. (Better even than beer)

Then onto the reception at Sussex University.
After a week of being in the countryside and away from much of civilisation,  (apart from those of us who are wedded to their smart phones!  Why do you need to read the news when you are in idyllic countryside?), it was indeed curious and amusing to see this sign on the toilet doors.

I just wish the sign had also described what the toilets were there for, which was not to double as changing rooms!  However, after queueing for 20 minutes to watch people emerge in pretty evening blouses......I was able to claim my free drink, collect my certificate and sit and enjoy the buffet...
albeit smelling slightly.  If only I had bought a change of clothes with me.  I could have taken the time to express myself differently and emerge as another.

But there is always next year.  I would be curious to do it again, and walk from Eastbourne to Winchester, but this time I would do it alone (unless Mr Cooper wanted to repeat the experience.)

Back to normality now, hurrah!  I am looking forward to starting my significant artwork, whilst not looking forward to starting to prepare the last room for decoration.
 Well, as my dad used to say, you've got to take the rough with the smooth.
I hope your smooths this week are positively silky, and your roughs only a little gritty.
And you are only out in the rain through choice!  See you all next week, KBO!