Springtime on the South Downs

Springtime  arrived and all I can say is "WOW!"  It's been so wonderfully sunny and the blossom has been stunning!
 I've not painted anything for a few weeks though. Sadly sales this year are dreadful ,  not just for me but for many , many other artists as well. I've no idea if things will improve or for how long I'll be able to continue painting. Only time will tell on that . 

In the present circumstances the sunshine has been a real blessing . It's been really good to get out and about in the tranquility of countryside around me.  Fabulous views and the scent of blossom in air . 

My first walks were around Wivelsfield and Chelwood Gate . Days of beautiful Bluebells , carpets of  Wild Garlic and some lovely old twisted trees .

 

Bluebells and Wild Garlic on my walk

   My Chelwood Gate walk took me along some very old paths  to Furner's Green and  Sheffield mill  

The path from Furner's Green to Sheffield mill

  Bluebell season is always short lived and it's a matter of getting out and about as much as possible to see them . I'm surrounded by woods that are full of them but this year I decided to explore a few different paths and places . I wasn't disappointed  and I discovered some interesting places along the way .

The Bluebells faded  and were quickly replaced by an explosion of Cow Parsley and Hawthorn blossom. Everywhere turned white and green ! 

 The Hawthorn has put on a magnificent display this year , I presume it's because of the weather being so dry, hot and sunny.   

This time my walks took me around Lewes Brooks. It's a nice easy flat walk and a must for bird watchers . The new wetlands at Lewes are great place to just sit and watch the wildlife 

Cow Parsley and Hawthorn blossom around Lewes Brooks

                                 

Of course I couldn't let Spring pass without a couple of walks on the South Downs . 

My first was to Ditchling beacon, it was more of a wander rather than a walk , a delightful dawdle . 

 I decided to descend via Westmeston bostal as it was one of the very few paths that I hadn't walked.  It's not great underfoot. Steep, rain worn and rutted, with loose flints and chalk ....   my knees didn't thank me for that one! Ha ha!  

It was all so very pretty . Lots of wildflowers and the views were stunning  ....

Ditchling beacon and Westmeston bostal

Finally I headed down to Rodmell . I took the path over to Telscombe and back via Cricketing bottom. I couldn't believe that it's been 10 years since I last done this walk . Where did that time go ?  Not only was the Hawthorn in blossom but I was treated to a purple field full of Phacelia and Red Clover which looked amazing!  

Rodmell to Telscombe

I have to say that this really is my favourite time of the year !

 

Winter at Firle in Sussex

It's now February and thankfully we are now in  the last few weeks of Winter . 

 It's been it's usual grey bleak wet days with just a few frosty mornings and even a smidgen of snow ! 

I've had to keep my Winter walks local so as to get out and about before everything thaws . 

My first walk was at North Chailey over part of the common and some of the nearby fields.It was cold and crisp and felt so good to get out at last ! The Exmoor ponies were grazing near the windmill but headed off too quickly for me to get a photo of them. 

Winter walk at North Chailey

 

My next frosty walk took me just a couple of miles south to Chailey Green. By now there had been a small amount of snow fall overnight . It didn't really show as there had been so very little, but  it resulted in  my paths being an interesting  mix of ice, snow , frost and mist .

Winter walk at Chailey green 

 I have to admit that this is one of my favourite areas to walk . Lots of different paths through the Sussex countryside and it changes so much with the seasons

 

Walking over the icy fields

 

 . It never fails to inspire me to paint ...perfect  

                                                        "Wintertide" 

"Wintertide"  Acrylic painting on canvas 24" x 18" 

                                         "Winter Sun"       

"Winter Sun " Acrylic painting on canvas 

 

Another venture was a visit to Firle .  There had been a small amount of snow  that had settled mainly on the high points of the South Downs . It looked rather wonderful and such a rare sight to see .

Snow at Firle village

 We didn't go up to the top as the road was rather icy and I didn't want to risk slipping and breaking something....like me!  Plus as pretty as it looks a vast landscape of white doesn't give me much to paint .

Instead my husband and I took a slow stroll around the village and church , it's a lovely place with lots of very old flint built buildings . It also had the added bonus of a four legged friend that guided us all the way around the church yard  .... 

Our four legged guide

 

 

 I doubt  that we'll see any more frost or snow for this year , even if I'm wrong my mind is now on the brighter and more colourful days of Spring  . The lush greens, the glorious sound of birdsong and the scent of Bluebells in the air ..... 

                                                 "Springtime Brook"

 

"Springtime Brook" Acrylic on canvas 24" x18"