Scorching Summer on the South Downs

Summer on the South Downs near Blackcap 

Summer's arrived and what a scorcher it's turned in to !!!  

It seems to be one heatwave after another which has meant that it's far too hot for many walks . Yes, I know I'm wimping it (if that's an actual word) but above 25 degrees and my brain starts to cease functioning .  

There are a few places that I like to walk each Summer , usually in late July or early August  .This year though I decided to do them a couple of weeks earlier and I'm so very glad I did , I saw them at their best before they became so sun scorched . 

 Mount Caburn is always a favourite for the wild flowers and the Exmoor ponies. It varies every year . This July the petrol blue colours of the Viper's Bugloss not only looked amazing but were buzzing with Bees and Hummingbird Hawk Moths , it was quite magical . 

Viper's Bugloss on the path to Mount Caburn 

 

Exmoor ponies on Mount Caburn 

                             More pictures from my walk here Mt Caburn

Another walk took me over the South Downs from Firle to Southease. It's only a short walk but it's so very pretty and has such stunning views!  It was a lovely sunny day although a bit hazy for good photos and the gusts of wind nearly blew me off my feet at times . I didn't expect that . 

It was well worth it as the wild flowers at the top of Beddingham hill were amazing. Especially the Round -Headed Rampion  / The Pride of Sussex . I've only ever seen a few together before but here they were in their hundreds . Sussex at it's best ! 

Round-Headed Rampion 

The Pride Of Sussex on Beddingham hill looking towards Mt Caburn 

 

 Photos from my walk Beddingham

 The green fields were rapidly fading and the harvest fields were golden. This time my walk took me from Ditchling beacon to Blackcap via Falmer . I was surrounded by glorious countryside full of wildflowers, butterflies ,Skylarks and fresh bales of hay .  It was perfect timing and it really doesn't get any better than that . I could have happily stayed there all day just breathing in the scent of Summer.  It was a scene that I just had to paint ..........

                                          "Bales to Blackcap"  24" x 18"   

 Painting the harvest fields on the South Downs near Blackcap 

                                                                         Prints , cards etc 

 

As Summer continued it just got  hotter and hotter and my walks got less and less .  I love the sunshine but not the heat. I resorted to short visits to places rather than long walks . 

It was just one heatwave after another and far too hot to go out during the day . Painting became almost impossible with the acrylic paint drying on my brushes before I could even use it ! 

  With windows shut and curtains drawn it felt like home had become a prison . Breaking out at cooler times was a necessity ! 

 One August evening we decided to visit Windover hill ( near Alfriston )  to watch the sun go down.  The land all around was scorched and parched so I was surprised to see so many wild flowers still blooming.  There was a warm breeze and everything around us seemed to glow in the low evening light .  It looked stunning ! 

                                         A Summer evening on Windover hill, Alfriston 

                                   Wild flowers on Windover hill, Alfriston 

As I walked  up the chalk  track I was captivated by the arrival of hundreds of birds. They  flew by me and gathered on the steep escarpment.  I think that they were Rooks but I'm not certain ,they were getting ready to head off to roost for the night.  
                                       

Hundreds of birds gathered on this steep escarpment . 

                             It was quite a sight to see and made the Summer evening even better . 

Watching the sun set from Windover hill 

                                                               

                                                  It had been a lovely evening and a joy to capture on canvas 

                                                          "The Gathering and the Gold "

                                                              "Warm breeze, Summer sun ,

                                                                  gathering Rooks, day is done.

                                                               Downland slopes, all ablaze ,

                                                                  golden fields, harvest days " 

                                              

Painting of the birds gathering at sunset on Windover hill, Alfriston .