Then came the rain

That squall out over the sea didn't reach us but another one soon did.

The Isle of Wight

From the Boss: Yesterday afternoon started out bright and sunny and for the first time in months I could see the Isle of Wight from the ramparts of the Roman camp - that's a bit over 50 miles away. It's in the photo. The eagle-eyed will just manage to see a smudge on the horizon immediately above the power station chimney in the middle of the shot. That's the island. It will be easier to see if you click on the picture to enlarge it.

Playmates

I got lucky when we went to the Roman camp the other afternoon: I found some children who were happy to play ball with me.

Back to more of the same

Yes, it's back to the damp greyness of mist and murk today. It seems hardly possible that yesterday was warm and sunny. The sun brought out the thousands of crocuses in the garden - quite literally thousands. They are the result of scattering a hundred or so naturalising crocus bulbs several years ago. This clump beside the front door are the common or garden sort.

Travellers?

Call themselves travellers? These "travellers" haven't moved from this corner beside 39 Acres for at least four months.

Varley Halls

Facing south and sheltered by Stanmer woods are the Varley Halls of Residence, accommodation for students at the University of Brighton, seen here from 39 Acres.

More cottages

One more glimpse of the traditional flint cottages before we leave the village.

Stanmer village

Past the barn and the tea rooms we come to the main part of the village, although in fact this consists of three rows of cottages and a couple of old alms houses - no more than a dozen or so dwellings.

The Tea Rooms

This is the peak of commercial activity in the village, and very popular it is with visitors - and their dogs - on a hot day. Even on a slightly less cold February afternoon people are happy to relax in the sun. It's good to see one of the old red telephone boxes still in existence here.

Stanmer village

Entering the village we pass a long, wooden barn with a milking parlour at the far end.

Meet Justine

From the Boss: Although I chatted to her two friends at the foot of the tree, I never did discover why Justine was climbing it.

Glorious mud

With all the rain we have had lately, some of the paths in Stanmer woods are a tad muddy.

Catkins

I'm sure that this year there are more catkins than usual.

In bloom

There are two large clumps of snowdrops under the trees in Withdean Park. Those we saw last week are still not in bloom but these must be in a slightly sunnier, possibly warmer, spot.

Catch the moon

We actually saw the sun on Saturday - and the moon.

Disconsolate

Woodland always seems a bit disconsolate in winter, and especially so on a damp February afternoon.

Bluebells

It will, of course, be several weeks before we see any flowers but the signs are encouraging.

Snowdrops

The snowdrops are in bloom in our garden but those in the wood in Withdean Park are still tight buds.

Westdene

Across the main London Road from Withdean Park on the east facing hillside lies Westdene. Westdene is something of an anomaly as although there are many "dean"s in and around Brighton - Saltdean, Rottingdean, Ovingdean, Woodingdean, Bevendean, Hollingdean, Coldean, Standean, Houndean, Patchdean, Withdean, Tongdean - they are all spelled "deAn". Why Westdene has to be different I just don't know.

Enjoying the lilacs?

Yesterday dawned bright and sunny for a change. There was a slight frost so it was too nippy to spend any time on that seat enjoying the view of the lilacs - not that the lilacs are much to enjoy just yet. Still, it made a pleasant change from what we have been seeing just lately.

An invitation

A nice thought, but it's been far too wet and windy to take advantage of this seat during the last week or so.

The hacker

No wonder the finish is so rough.

Hacking

The gorse has been rather taking over in the centre of the Roman camp and somebody has been cutting it back. They don't seem to have made a particularly neat job of it.

The Wild Park valley

As we walk through the woods at the top of the Wild Park we get a glimpse down into the dry valley that has been partly filled and levelled to provide playing fields and football pitches.

Wild Park dew pond

The dew pond is just round the corner from yesterday's raspberry patch. The Boss says he doesn't remember seeing it this full before.

No raspberries this year

There used to be wild raspberries growing on this small patch at the top of the Wild Park until the council in its wisdom (or perhaps I should say a council official in his wisdom) decided to raze everything growing more than a couple of inches high. So, no wild raspberries this year.

Misty

After the Boss has collected me from the kennels we always stop off at a park called Happy Valley on the way home. It's good to run on the grass again and chase a ball even though I'm quit happy going to kennels. Yesterday was damp and foggy but I still enjoyed the exercise.

Mill Wood

From the garden of Stanmer House we look across pasture to Mill Wood on the opposite ridge.