Walking on Devils Dyke
One of the joys of the coastal towns and cities of Sussex are their proximity to gorgeous countryside, so easily accessible. In London to reach the Chilterns from the centre would be an one hour trek. You can reach Devils Dyke from Brighton by car in 10 minutes. Yesterday I was deputed to do the morning shop at Waitrose. The branch in Brighton centre has recently declined and the area off Western Road rather scabrous. So I decided to visit the one next to the Greyhound Stadium in Hove.
On a whim I decided beforehand to drive into Devils Dyke in the same area. It was a beautifully clear day to visit the local beauty spot perched 2000 feet up in the South Downs with a 360 degree views over spectacular countryside. On arrival and parking at a pub called the Devils Dyke, I went to the parking machine. The Devils Dyke has been acquired by the National Trust and I had to pay a most reasonable £3 for walking there and for a parking ticket.
I set off on my walk along an escarpment with views down into the valley and over the Downs. It’s called Devils Dyke as Lucifer himself was fabled to have created the gash in the countryside to flood the area. It became a most popular place for Victorian visitors to Brighton and where was built the first cable car. Yesterday there were a few hikers and dog walkers but sufficiently unpopulated to feel close to nature with no mobiles (I had left mine at home and although I would have like to record the moment with a pic I was happier in its absence).
Wandering alone with my thoughts they passed fleetingly to the anniversary of the death of Princess Diana and “where was I?”In fact I was in Tours in France for the weekend and had rather a decent meal at the best restaurant there.
Princess Diana would be 54 now and I wonder how she would have aged and whether she could sell newspapers with her face on the cover or more probably replaced by a younger Royal. Beyond that I could not summon any interest. Mind you, it would take more than a Royal photo to arrest the decline in circulation of every daily.
