Midhurst Footpath Companions
Walking in Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey.

East Dean 26th January 2022

Pauline's walk started from the East Dean valley and unsurprisingly went uphill. It was an overcast day but with some superb views, with an occasional glimpse of where the sea should be, sadly hidden by a light haze. After some cattle and bird-spotting, we stopped for a break amongst a nicely spaced woodpile in Hat Hill before descending and ascending through Ladys Winkins and Little Copse. For anyone not familiar with the Saxon language, Ladys Winkins probably means irregulary shaped wood, and nothing else.  We later reached Open Winkins, a wood mentioned several times by Eleanor Farjeon in her book "Martin Pippin in the apple orchard", written whilst she lived in nearby Amberley. That was some years before she wrote the hymn "Morning has broken", recently made popular by Cat Stevens. After passing through Open Winkins we were at the top of East Dean Hill, so it was an easy walk down through the woods of Bubholts to return to East Dean once again. We then had a very nice lunch in the Star and Garter after a walk of about 5 miles.

Very nice spot

Heading south

Climbing the hill, looking over East Dean

What a climb!

Some people just love a swing!

Walkers meet cattle

But where are the birds? 

Little egret but with the wrong beak colour - juvenile?

Red Kites are everywhere.

Time for a drink

Walk leader with electronic mapping!

Plenty of seats for our break

Chin rest for a tired head       

Descending Ladys Winkins wood

Heading for Open Winkins

East Dean Hill

Bubholts- no idea where that name came from!

A mostly even slope for a group photo

Lunchtime!

OK, let's eat!

About 5 miles

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