Offham, East Sussex

I feel a bit like I cheated the guys last week as I mentioned Harveys Brewery in Lewes but didn't show you a picture so I am going to remedy that now.

This photo was taken from the other side of the River Ouse in Lewes. 

Anyone who has or does live beside a brewery will know that you often get a lovely malty odour in the air, the strength of which depends on how far you are from the brewery and the direction of the wind. I suspect it is either a smell you like or hate.  I am not a beer drinker [or should that be ale?] however I do happen to like the smell. It often reminds me of my favourite childhood cereal - Sugar Puffs - [yes there are many others who also think I'm mad]. If you want to see the history and variety of products produced by Harveys, check out the last blog posting which has a link to their site.

Now for the subject of this posting. The little hamlet of Offham.

Blink as you drive along the A275 and you may miss it. If  fact if you are one of those who flaunt the speed limits, Offham is probably a blur as you charge round the 3, quite tight, corners. Do so at your peril though. The 30 mile speed limit is there for a reason, as those that have ended up in the tiny front garden of one of the main street houses, or in the field by the church will confirm. In the very short spaces between those tight corners there are spots where other road users need to turn off the road, so kill your speed, not them. Here endeth todays lesson.

As you drive from Lewes and come round the first corner at the 30 mile limit, on your right is the Old Post House.

Immediately after this is the turn off for Hamsey Village and St Peters Church of Offham.

Last year the proud parishioners successfully raised funds to build a small parish hall by the side of St Peters [tiny if you compare it to the normal size of any parish hall I had previously visited], the church is now the proud owner of  lovely oak beamed  premises where they can hold church related events.

If this is not large enough, a few years ago, the Parish Council and residents of Offham, Hamsey and Cooksbridge [as with all projects of this type, some more than others] worked hard to raise funds to build their own hall to replace the outdated building they used in Cooksbridge. The result was the beautiful, ecological building known as Beechwood Hall. It generates it's own heat and electricity and is a triumph for those involved. The current trustees work hard to maintain the hall and ensure it is fully used by and for the community with a variety of events.

The hall is available for hire at very reasonable rates.

Having shown you St Peters, I should add that this is technically the new church. The old church is Hamsey Parish Church and the current rector presides over both. Hamsey is still opened on occasion for special events and the graveyard is a treasure of information on the old families of the area. The Hamsey Church website gives some information on the names on the old graves and a contact [who has a wealth of knowledge on the area] should you wish further information. If you click on the link to St Peters, you can choose to view the information on either church. 

Hamsey Church is not that far away, however you have to travel down the small country lanes to gain access, with limited parking at the church itself. I am told it is beautiful inside, as is St Peters, though I have not personally been in either church. You can view Hamsey Church over the fields from Offham as seen below.

Almost directly opposite the turning for Hamsey and St Peters is a cottage which was probably the gatehouse for what was once the estate of the local landowners. The Shiffners. They owned a great deal of Offham and its surrounding countryside. 

These days the estate is split up with a variety of owners. There are however now 3 ' big houses '  which could be thought off as the remainder of the original estate. 

Coombe, is accessed from the road by the side of the gatehouse, and is perhaps the largest of the 3. 

Mount Harry is accessed from the B 2116 and 

Offham House is just around the corner in Offham itself. 

Both Mount Harry and Offham House used to participate in the National garden Scheme, however Mount Harry Estate recently withdrew from the scheme with their last opening in 2009. Offham House still continues with its open days and it normally has 2 openings a year. Complete with home baked cakes and home grown plants. 

Mount Harry is famed for its roses [also appreciated by the local wild Roe Deer] and Offham House for its beautifully manicured lawns. In both cases the gardens are, and have been for a great number of years,  tended by two, wonderfully modest, female gardeners. 

The remaining surrounding area of Offham is farmland and the delightful South Downs.

The picture of Offham would not be complete without mention of its 2 hostelries.  The first, Chalk Pit Inn, [which I am told is just within Offham boundary] is as you drive to Offham from Lewes and is before you reach the speed limit signs. If you intend to try it out beware, as it is just behind a bend, off the road on your left. You come upon very quickly. 

The second is as you pass through the main [and really only] street in Offham. The Blacksmiths Arms.

The entrance to the car park is just past this building, not the one by the gatehouse cottage.

I have frequented both establishments at some point in time and while both have the feel of the country, they are both very different. Its a case of paying your money and making your choice. In both cases however, I enjoyed my meal, and recommend you try them yourself. 

So, I am now at the end of my first month of the blog. My resolution is still in tact and I have learned a little about doing a blog, adding pictures and imbedding copyright information into the photographs. At least, I think I have.

Lets see how I get on in February.

Bye for now

Lewes, East Sussex

There is so much to see and do in this area of Sussex. Close to where I live is the lovely town of Lewes.

Central and just off the A27, it is around 45 minutes from Gatwick Airport, 20/30 minutes from Brighton [depending on the route you choose to enter said city], and about the same journey time to the ferry port of Newhaven and the Transmarche ferry to Dieppe. Not that far away is the seaside resort of Eastbourne.

The internationally famed Glynebourne is only 15 minutes away through the Sussex countryside, with Firle Place not far behind it. Alfriston and the National Trusts first ever purchased property of the Clergy House  is just a short hop away, as are many other places you can visit such as Beachy Head, Cuckmere, Seven Sisters and Birling Gap. The list could go on forever. For those who like to walk, the South Down Way passes through and around Lewes, depending on the route you choose to take.

Though busy, Lewes itself has an air of calm. The older areas are full of quaint old buildings, twittens [alley ways] and history.  It has a castle with a museum, which has a long history [1000 years] and is the site of a large battle. In addition there is a house where Anne of Cleves is said to have resided, which also houses a small museum. Lewes even has it's own football team, The Rooks. Oh, and we have our own brewery, Harveys, which dates back to 1790, the oldest in Sussex.

One of the many Twitten's in Lewes. They are almost everywhere in the town centre. As you can see, it is quite hilly!

The main street in the centre of town. On the whole it is not a place for those high street chains you will find in Brighton. Lewes is a great place to find that something different, or that special gift. Parking can be a problem though and traffic wardens are on the prowl during business hours.

 The castle entrance is directly to the right of this photo.....

Part of Lewes Castle. The Barbican Tower. It may be one of the smaller castles in the UK however you get great views of Lewes, the surrounding downs and the chalk cliffs.

Lewes hosts an annual Bonfire Parade in November that brings floods of visitors to the town. The links with the conspirators who failed to blow up Parliament all those years ago are still strong. A special bonfire radio station counts down to the big event itself and the local bonfire societies fund raise all year long so they can hold their own firework display at the end of the evening. Each society has their own dress code and place in the parade complete with flaming torches and tar barrels. Police close the town to all traffic shortly after the schools close, the towns businesses also shut early, and trains stopping at Lewes Station on that evening, tend to be filled to capacity. Those wanting to get the best views have to make sure they are in position early. Both the parade and the firework displays are spectacular if you are happy to stand for a couple of hours waiting for the event itself and queuing to leave Lewes at the end. The best solution is to find a friend who lives somewhere on the route of the parade who will also be kind enough to let you stay overnight!

This picture, taken from the top of  Lewes castle [Kings keep],  and shows flooded fields outside Lewes from recent rainfall. To the left of the photo, the terrain slopes steeply up onto the downs [not shown in photo]. 

The Ouse, a tidal river, comes down the valley and runs through the centre of the town. Lewes has, on occasions been vulnerable to floods, the last occasion being approximately 10 years ago. Persistent heavy rains soaked the fields. The chalk layers, usually so good at draining away the excess water, filled to capacity and the surrounding fields became a lake [in a similar way to that shown in the above photo]. The water pouring into the Ouse upstream found itself in a bottle neck as it entered the towns boundaries. When high tide occurred , it only had one way to go. The river rose above it's banks and walls and into the town centre. Those, lucky enough not to be within the flooded area itself, found themselves marooned as many roads in and around Lewes area were blocked with water running off the hills and fields. Flood defences have been increased since then, however, only time will tell if this will prove sufficient against future surges.

This photo shows the area downstream from Lewes. The river is about 100 yards to the left, of the area of water you can see in the top of the picture. Parts of the town seem to lie in a bowl between the rolling hills of the south downs. This view was taken from the top of the castle [Kings Keep], you can see how it would have commanded an outstanding view from it's prime position on the top of the hill. 

That's the end of this weeks post and tour of Lewes. So, why don't you give the town a visit next time you have a free weekend?

Getting out for those photo's.

The weather has been grey and dismal most of the week. [What can I expect, it is winter.] Not the most accommodating weather for glorious photo's. My main camera doesn't mix too well with the rain, tends to fog up. It is not too happy in low light situations either, so I choose my expeditions carefully. Thankfully in Sussex we haven't had the snow that others have seen [nor rain like Brisbane, Australia]. I look forward to future sunny days of frost and hazy light so I can show how wonderful the Sussex countryside looks.

 I would like to say that I am an expert photographer and wildlife expert, regretfully I am neither. I don't know all the ins and outs of my camera's. It takes me to recognize a blue tit from a great tit [I actually can if I concentrate, however I have noticed that I tend to file all these birds under 'blue tits']. Then there is the sadly lacking willpower and discipline.

This can be a bit problematical when I try to get the picture I am after. Lets just say that with my observational skills if it doesn't move I am likely to miss it, or, even worse, I walk past something in a dream and think 'wait a minute', turn to go back and see the back end of a creature disappearing from view. I am also not the most graceful or mobile of beings, which again leads to seeing the rear end of a deer flashing through the trees [if I am lucky].

Sometimes though, [usually when I don't have the camera] when I least expect it, I am rewarded with the sight of a badger making it's way down the trail, late in getting to its den, or a deer peering at me through the under growth, or the sight of them cautiously moving away. That moment of contact when you thank mother nature for her gifts. These are the moments I would love to get on camera. But, will I get up at the crack of dawn and sit in the cold, fingers on the camera button, waiting for the right light or a likely subject to pass by. I tell myself I will. I even order myself out of bed. Sadly, however, the moment passes and I awake knowing another opportunity has passed by. It is an ongoing battle. One day I tell myself. One day, just not this one!

Fortunately I am aware that there are ways of getting great photo's without always having to go through the painstaking work of the professional [though I dream I could get that once in a lifetime shot]. Maybe the results are not always as much of a wow, however they still look good on the wall. There are lots of wonderful sanctuaries out there caring for animals, who for a small fee, will allow you entrance. There are even photography days where you can get up close and reasonably personal. Add to that, the wonder of the digital camera and a bit of luck and once in a while you get a winner [as long as I like it, right!]. There is the Tamar Otter Sanctuary in Cornwall where I got great photo's of otters and peacocks. Near East Grinstead there is the British Wildlife Centre [awash with camera's and photographers] where I have taken a really good photo of a fox and a tiny grass snake and a cute pic of a red squirrel [or two].

There is of course, also, computer software. To some people it seems not entirely on the level - a way of cheating. I admit I am reluctant to use it. I want my photograph to come out of the camera perfect. Untouched. To be all my own work. My eye, my composition, my skill. However, I have to concede that the best photographers do use it from time to time. Take out that blemish or branch you didn't notice. The satellite dish on the old house. The power cables you couldn't do anything about. I also have to concede that way before the wonder of computers and digital processing, photographers used to manipulate images in their dark room. I'm told Ansell Adams carried out a bit of manipulation in his dark room and he is considered one of the icons of photography.

So what? Well, I guess, as long as it is all your own work, and you are honest about it, and other people like the result, then, it is not a problem.

This of course, brings me on the images for this week.

This is another picture of the vineyard, different angle, showing [at a great distance] that the hard work still goes on in the winter months. There is only a month or so where no work is required on the vines. In winter, when they are dormant they are pruned back to a couple of canes. A little later in the year these will be 'tied down' to the fruiting wires, to encourage the vine to produce the right amount of grapes. Not too much so it saps the vines of their vigour and not too little so you get more foliage than grapes! Very technical. The smoke you can see in the photo is from the fire barrel. All the debris from the pruning has to be destroyed so that any disease from the previous year is obliterated. Good housekeeping is essential to a healthy vineyard. The owner designed, and had made, a fire barrel so the cuttings could be burned as the work progressed, rather than them being dropped on the ground for collection and destruction at a later time. This was a great success and has resulted in requests from other vineyards to see it in action. Hence the reason you haven't got a close up here! 

The fungi [as you can see I am very fluent in the correct names of flora and fauna] was found in the wood when I was walking with the dog. I am intrigued as to what could have had a nibble at the second top row. Perhaps it is an indication of some rare creature passing by. Sheltered by the tree, I don't imagine something just happened to brush by it. Else my clumsy feet would probably have annihilated it before I got the photo. It might just be a candidate for the natural history competition at the Camera Club next season. Though I have to admit, I am hoping I manage to get a subject that is just a little more exciting if I want to claim the trophy for the top image. [I can dream can't I?]

Now this I know is a Blue Tit. Frustratingly hard to get a sharp photo of and then when you do, it is so small in the frame people sometimes wonder what you were actually taking the photo of. I have read however, that you have to practice taking pictures of garden birds in order to become really skilful at getting pictures of the more exotic varieties. I got my RSPB magazine today reminding me of the big garden watch at the end of January. Maybe this year I will remember to sit still for an hour and take part. Counting rather than photographing. Wish me luck!

Happy New Year

Well here goes. The first post of my blog for 2011.

As I write this page, the rain is pouring down outside, so I am pleased I managed to get out yesterday to take a few photos. The plan is that the first few postings of this blog will be about my local area and then [hopefully] I will be able to branch out further and further. [Please remember that I retain the copyright to all my photos. Just in case I do manage to take that money shot!!]

So, here we are in Sussex.

This is the place where I am lucky enough to live.

A wonderful spot, and the only reason I am privileged enough to be here, is that I share it with a couple of friends, one of whom works for the estate owner. With the kind permission of local land owners, we can walk out of the door, across the field, through a small wood and up on to the downs. Immediate access to a place of natural beauty [no car required and no parking headaches]. All of it within the new National Park. Should I ever win the lottery, a little place like this will be at the top of my shopping list.

This view of the Sussex countryside is about 50 yards up the hill from our front door.

So is this one.

This one is a bit closer. I estimate the vineyard is only 10 yards from our front gate.

We help pick the harvest in October, and before anyone gets any ideas of slow paced, pleasant work in the sun, it is, I promise you, tiring and back breaking work. [The very first harvest was in the pouring rain.] But I am sure I will report more on the subject of the vineyard harvest later in the year.

For information purposes however, I will add that the grapes from here, travel a fairly short distance, to the famous Ridgeview Winery. Have a look at their website to see how they consistently beat very famous French opposition. We recommend you try some, but then, we are of course, a little biased.

 This particular area has a lot of vineyards and another Vineyard and Winery just a few miles from this spot is Breaky Bottom. They also do a very special Sparkling Wine you should try. [If you are into that sort of thing.]

Sussex scenery and free wine tips, was this what you expected when you clicked your mouse on this link?

Hope you can join me next week. In the meantime, take care.