Two Rings

Two rings on the final day
Familiarity
A walk which we have made our own
my brother Dave and me
A circle of eight miles
chalky trails beneath our feet
The sunshine smiling once again
to make the week complete

Starting down at Cisbury
then climbing through the fields
Up to Chanctonbury Ring and
views of Sussex Weald
It’s been a week of calm and joy
up on the South Downs Way
A brother’s walk together
on day by perfect day

©Jemverse

Photo – The Sussex Weald looking north from Chanctonbury Ring, West Sussex – Jempics

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. Day 5 took us back to a circular walk we developed ourselves. Called  ‘The Two Rings Circle’, it takes in both Cisbury and Chanctonbury Rings in Sussex.

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Beacon

The day was full of sunshine
as we headed out, day three
of our walks on hills of Sussex
my brother Dave and me
This time to Ditchling Beacon
climbing chalky paths and hill
then into shady valleys
where the air was calm and still
The green of Sussex countryside
just took our breath away
and contributed to bring about
another lovely day.

©Jemverse

Photo – Ditchling Beacon, South Downs Way, East Sussex – Jempics

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. Day 4 took us just over 18 miles from Rodmell to Ditchling Beacon (and then down into Stanmer Woods).

Rodmell

We climbed up to Firle Beacon
(It was really windy there)
and its wasn’t from the beans we’d had
for breakfast, to be fair!
The views across fair Sussex
were magnificent to see
on this second day of walking
for my brother Dave and me
And then downhill to Rodmell
in the valley of the Ouse
for well earned respite at the pub
followed by a snooze

©Jemverse

The ‘To to pub’ sign just above Rodmell on the South Downs Way, East Sussex, directs walkers to The Abergavenny Arms, the only pub in the village. Photo – Jempics

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. Day 3 took us 14 miles from Alfriston to Rodmell.

Alfriston

We traversed Seven Sisters
high cliffs above the sea
Clear blues skies and sunshine
my brother Dave and me
There were lots of foreign students
around the tourist traps
but we left them all behind us
as we walked on, us two chaps

Down to Cuckmere Haven
a picture postcard made
then into Friston Forest
‘neath the trees and in the shade
And finally to Alfriston
(It’s good to be back here)
Shed the packs and to the pub
for a very welcome beer

©Jemverse

Photo – The South Downs Way, East Sussex, crossing the ‘Seven Sisters’ towards Cuckmere Haven – Jempics

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. Day 2 took us 13 miles from Eastbourne to Alfriston.

Eastbourne

Woke up to a morning
with zero chance of rain
Another perfect day
for our walkings once again
Starting here in Eastbourne
with the sun on deep blue sea
the day is full of promise
for my brother, Dave and me
Fourteen miles, the Seven Sisters
over cliffs, the country park
Heading down to Alfriston
where we’ll be before it’s dark

©Jemverse

Photo – Eastbourne seafront, East Sussex, looking towards the Beachy Head rise – Jempics

Every year in May, my brother Dave and I go for a week-long walk. We’ve been elsewhere but most times, the draw of the wonderful South Downs Way – out there on our doorstep – keeps us close to home. This year we started from Eastbourne.

The South Downs Way

To the South Downs Way
the brothers return again
retreading their steps

©Jemverse

Photo – from Jemverse on Instagram, May 2018 – Jempics

Every year, at the beginning of May, my younger brother and I go for a week’s walk somewhere. We’ve been elsewhere but, as a large part of both of our hearts is embedded in Sussex where we live, the 100 mile South Downs Way has a special attraction for us. Today marks the start of the third time for us.

A song for the way

5 of 5 in the Jemverse ’31’ series

We lost sight of our accordion player
as we wandered, singing our song
But he was just lagging behind us
as we slowly ambled along

So, reaching the base of escarpment
Fulking Village just ahead there to find
We turned and up there high above us
we found him in the sunshine

Reunited, the company’s spirits
in song were rekindled anew
and together we lifted our voices
For that’s what we wanderers do

©Jemverse

Photo – (top) Our accordion player at the crest of Fulking Escarpment, South Downs, Sussex; (bottom) – in full swing at The Shepherd & Dog, Fulking Village – Jempics