...again

This time framed by the trees in Stanmer woods with Firle Beacon beyond. Several miles beyond.

That stadium

It was a grey afternoon over the Downs but the new stadium still stands out against the hills.

And now for something completely different

More wild life

This scrawny-looking wood pigeon didn't seem to mind the Boss getting up close and firing the flash on his camera.

From the Boss: I'm not sure if this is a young bird or simply one in moult. The white patches on the sides of its neck are certainly missing.

More snails

It's almost 11 months since the Boss took a picture of this footpath signpost covered in snails and now here they are back again.

Des escargots, monsieur?

Thrush's dining room or snails' graveyard?

Missing: Firle Beacon

All last week we had bright, sunny mornings but cloudy afternoons. We should be able to see Firle Beacon from here, just above those trees in the centre of the picture, but it's covered in cloud.

Elm Square

This is the view of the centre of Patcham village now that the elms have been felled. The picture below is the 'before' version.

And again

Only this time it's just a branch. This has fallen from another beech tree just a few yards from the one in yesterday's picture.

Fallen trees

It's not just the Patcham elms that have been felled. This beech in Stanmer woods must have fallen prey to the disease that is attacking beech trees across southern England and has been felled before it becomes too dangerous.

Dawn? What dawn?

From the Boss: This was the view from my bedroom window this morning. Oddly enough, Fern doesn't just prefer days like this, she positively revels in them.

Teazel

or teasle or teazle. It answers to all those names.

As light as...

...thistledown.

Meanwhile, back in the woods

This fungus growing on a fallen tree looks almost as though it should be part of a coral reef.

Looking the other way

Looking in the other direction from yesterday's picture, we see this delightful flint cottage which appears to be on the market. Particulars and more pictures here.

Today's the day

The Boss took this picture of the Patcham elms last week on a rather dull afternoon. As you can see, they are just about completely dead. I think they are due to be felled today.

Hole in the wall

Wot no cash?

Spot the camper

He's been there quite a few days now. I wonder if the farmer knows?

More nuts

I don't suppose it will be very long before the squirrels get these as well. No wonder the boss never manages to pick any ripe hazelnuts.

Nuts

The squirrels don't seem to mind that the hazelnuts are not ripe yet.

Arche-wotsit dig

People have dug around at Rocky Clump and found pottery dating from the 1st century. I bet any bones they found were a bit dry!

Rocky Clump

Looking a bit to the left of yesterday's picture we see a small copse known as Rocky Clump. This was once the site of a Roman shrine.

The back road to Stanmer

Left behind

I wonder why?

Butterflies again

They were still around yesterday afternoon and the Boss managed to get a much better picture but he still doesn't know what sort they are.

Time was...

...when the South Downs were almost one great pasture filled with large flocks of sheep. It was in the last war that the grass was hit by the plough and now there is as much arable farming on the Downs as sheep farming.

Butterflies

There were clouds of these small butterflies - only about an inch across - feeding on the clover and this was the best the Boss could do by way of a photo! I ask you! And, what's more, he has no idea what species they are.

Grass

Hmm. Not much long grass there for me to run through.

More flowers

Scabious, knapweed and cow parsley behind a rustic-style bench from which one gets just a glimpse of the sea beyond Brighton.

Farewell to the elms

The centre of Patcham, usually known as ‘the old village', is the junction of the Old London Road and Ladies Mile Road. If this was in France it would have a grand name starting with ‘Place' and, indeed, it does have a name, although not as grand as it might sound in French. It is known as Elm Square. This is because of the two very old elm trees growing side by side right at the junction of the roads. But unfortunately they will not be there much longer as they have succumbed to Dutch elm disease and will be felled before too long. Next Sunday the local community are being invited to collect in the square to celebrate the lives of these old trees. (Seems to me a bit like having the wake before a person has died.) Replacement elms will be planted, we are promised, but it will be along time before the view looks anything like it is now.

Scabious

Scabious, sometimes known as the pin-cushion flower, is a typical Downland plant which loves the chalky soil.