Summer has arrived! The lush greens are starting to turn golden and the butterflies dance on the warm breeze from one flower to the next ....perfect, just perfect! 

My recent walks have taken me up on the  South Downs and the views have been stunning . 

The South Downs

 A sunshine day took me to Cuckmere Haven where I walked up over the downs on the  eastern side of the river.  I hadn't been to this part before and I wanted to see where the old church of Exceat once stood. I almost missed it among the long grass

The stone marking the place where the old church  of Excete once stood

It was a fabulous walk, blue skies,  sunshine  and the views were amazing.  

Cuckmere Haven

I reached the top of Haven Brow, which is the first of the Seven Sisters and decided it would be the perfect spot for lunch.

On top of The Seven Sisters

 As soon as I'd sat down a very cheeky Crow joined me and decided that I should share my sandwich with him . He knew when he was on to a good thing! 

After a while I continued on my walk , this meant heading back down hill. I had the choice of two paths,  I stupidly picked the steep one ! I will never EVER go down this path again! It was extremely steep and smooth. No where to safely get a good footing. I'm not good with heights so ended up bum shuffling my way down hill ! But.....I made it!

All in all it was a brilliant day and I couldn't wait to get painting one my favourite views of the day 

                                                     "Haven Views" 

 

 August brings with it another heatwave, it's just far too hot for me to go walking .

  The land is so scorched and dry ! I feel I should be stocking up on shades of brown paint :(  

Thankfully I'm well stocked up with reference photos to keep me going. I've been busy painting a scene from my walk over the South Downs near Alfriston. It was such a lovely day , the views over the Sussex weald and the downs were amazing!  

                                            "Summer Days and Pathways" 

Painting of the view from my walk near Alfriston.

 

 

Another of my wonderful walks was around Pycombe. I took a circular walk from the Jack and Jill pub at Clayton which took me past Wolstonbury Hill to Pycombe where I joined the South Downs Way. It was yet another hot day and I have to admit that it felt like a long trudge to get to the top of  West Hill !

 I was glad to take a break at the top  where I was greeted by the stunning views that seemed to go on forever!  To the south was the distant sea .....

View towards the sea from West Hill at Pycombe, Sussex 

...and to the West I found myself looking towards Devil's Dyke and beyond ! It really did take your breath away! Such a  perfect view to paint ......

                                                        "Westward Bound" 

                                                          Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

 

Painting The South Downs Way (Southease)

May brings the arrival of the wild flowers so I couldn't resist a walk along the South Downs at Southease.
At this time of year the grass lands between the brooks in the Ouse Valley are filled with Buttercups.
The lanes are edged with Cow Parsley.
The fields are a blazing patchwork of Rapeseed crops and the slopes of the South Downs are covered with Cowslips...my favourite childhood flower .
All in all....just stunning!

The South Downs at Southease

Descending the steep slopes of Itford Hill brings you to the Ouse Valley where a welcoming break can be taken at the Youth Hostel and Tea room . From here the view takes you back up the slopes and the distant journey ahead .

                                            "Travellers Rest" 
                             Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

Painting of The south Downs at Southease 

The flowers of Rapeseed crops are now fading but I have enjoyed some very colourful walks , especially around the Cooksbridge area ..

Rapeseed fields at Cooksbridge 

 There was a cottage right in the middle of the fields ....a perfect subject for a smaller painting 

                                                  "The House in  the Yellow" 

"The House in the Yellow"

 
 

Blue skies and sunshine ...

2018 and January is almost over! I can't believe how quickly it has gone by. I've been patiently waiting for some good weather but the days have been mainly grey and bleak !
With the ground so wet and muddy I havn't been out much....oh how I miss the Summer!
When the sun does come out it sits low in the sky and poor light just isn't good for my style of painting.
I therefor decided to beat the Winter blues by revisiting some of my favourite walks from last year. Days of blue skies and sunshine .....
The first comes from an early Spring walk around North Chailey and Sheffield Park.
The rising sun lit up the woodland the scent of bluebells filled the air!
                                        " One Spring Morning" 

"One Spring Morning" Painting of the Springtime bluebell woods 

 My other painting for January is from one of my walks along The South Downs Way, just north of Southease in East Sussex. 
I love the way that the wild flowers flourish and sway in the breeze along the edge of the patchwork fields .
                                       "Wild Along The Way" 

"Wild along The Way" Summer painting of the South Downs Way

So farewell January....It's been great to share the memories of last year but I look forward to exploring new paths and inspiring places .