Winter walk 6 – valley dip

Birdsong in old hedgerows and sea views on the ancient route from Bishopstone to Blatchington.

January flowers: 4 of them to be sniffed and all good for insects.
Winter heliotrope
Mahonia
Viburnum tinus
Eleagnus
Japanese Quince / Chaenomeles
Sweet Violets
Heather / Erica
Hazel catkins
Primrose

Route

From Firle Road look for the obscured road sign of the old tarmac Grand Avenue which is now a bridleway. It is on one side of a patch of woodland opposite the trees of St John’s school on the bend.

Cross the valley and continue up the other side through the double hedgerow. In summer this can be a sheltered place for butterflies.

At the bend at the top turn left onto the footpath along the town boundary known as King’s hedge. Turn left onto the hedged bridleway between the houses. This is the ancient road to Blatchington.

Cross over Clementine Avenue onto the green. Fieldfares may be on the treetops in winter. The flowers in the grass are on the sunny side.
Cross over Katherine Way onto the Valley Dip green. The flowers here are at the top of the slope.

Cross the valley and return to Firle Road via the twitten at the top bend in Beacon Drive.

This corner by Firle Drive is the top end of the old village near Blatchington Mill. Continue to watch for flowers down towards the church.

Melene