COUNTRY VIEWS 6 - NOTES
Swan on the Adur: I was walking along the east bank of the Adur, in between Eatons footbridge and the turn off to New Inn, when I passed this swan sitting at the side of the water. There are no cygnets - they're probably grown by now - but my guess was that this was the site of a recent nest.
Stretham Farm barn: Stretham Manor and Stretham Farm are not far from each other in a bend of the Adur, where the land flattens out. This is a typical view from the footpath that leads from New Hall Lane down to the river and the old railway line.
Blackthorn near Chates: My old friend Jack Hooker - a farm worker now deceased, alas - used to say that as long as the blackthorn is in flower, the spring weather remains cold because blackthorn flowers "likes the cold". In other words: ne'er cast a clout 'til May is out. The country lanes around Henfield are rich in blackthorn, with a riot of white colour in most springs.
Field near Woolfly: I was walking along the footpath that leads from Furners Lane up to Park Farm one bright summer's afternoon. The track takes you up to a view of Woolfly farmhouse, the fields flatten out to give a vista of the pastureland. This photo is from late summer 2015 - harvesting done.
Blackhouse Farm view: Blackhouse Farm is at the bottom of Sandy Lane, not far from the old railway line (Downs Link), and this is the view over the garden towards the brooks and the river.
Haymaking: I took this picture of hay rolls some years ago - I think it was from the path by the Mill House. In my boyhood, there were stooks to be forked up to the hay waggon, where we kids stacked them - and then got pulled along to the farmyard by horses.
Stretham Farm barn: Stretham Manor and Stretham Farm are not far from each other in a bend of the Adur, where the land flattens out. This is a typical view from the footpath that leads from New Hall Lane down to the river and the old railway line.
Blackthorn near Chates: My old friend Jack Hooker - a farm worker now deceased, alas - used to say that as long as the blackthorn is in flower, the spring weather remains cold because blackthorn flowers "likes the cold". In other words: ne'er cast a clout 'til May is out. The country lanes around Henfield are rich in blackthorn, with a riot of white colour in most springs.
Field near Woolfly: I was walking along the footpath that leads from Furners Lane up to Park Farm one bright summer's afternoon. The track takes you up to a view of Woolfly farmhouse, the fields flatten out to give a vista of the pastureland. This photo is from late summer 2015 - harvesting done.
Blackhouse Farm view: Blackhouse Farm is at the bottom of Sandy Lane, not far from the old railway line (Downs Link), and this is the view over the garden towards the brooks and the river.
Haymaking: I took this picture of hay rolls some years ago - I think it was from the path by the Mill House. In my boyhood, there were stooks to be forked up to the hay waggon, where we kids stacked them - and then got pulled along to the farmyard by horses.