Paradise found

6th July 2012

   I put on a fleece when I arrived at Kilndown as it was a little chilly, though the Sun shone and the sky was clear and there was no wind. I went into Kilndown Woods, past the old Beech with my teenage carvings in the bark still visible; past the Scots Pine plot, which has been thinned out and is less foreboding now and out into a field of wooly black sheep to the River Bewl. Yellow Flag were still by the little bridge and the clear water passed under gently. The walk to the top of the hill warmed me and I considered removing my fleece, but not yet! I took the footpath to Lamberhurst, downhill to the River Tiese, and at the bridge, Indian Balsam chokes the flow. My fleece came off for the climb to the church at Lamberhurst and I walked through green, sweet-smelling wheat. Across the golf course, players were out early and I kept my eye open for any hooked balls.
   I took the course of the river down Brewers Street and into the woods. It was very warm and a relief to be under the trees. Along this track huge parasols of Giant Hogweed grow, deep red Hedge Woundwort, the wonderful perfume of Meadowsweet; candyfloss on a stick. The hedgerows were full of Honeysuckle; sweet and inviting, but be sure to check that the flower is not occupied before putting one's nose in!
   Breakfast was under an old Oak, with low boughs in a marshy meadow; at the bottom of a valley. Each side of the valley taken over by Bracken. From this secret place I watched Goldfinches on thistles, pulling apart the flowers, searching for food.
   Along the bridlepath at Bluecaps Farm, through a field of ripening rapeseed, Corn Chamomile was the favourite flower for Meadow Brown butterflies dancing from flower to flower. The path leads directly to Bewl water, where I walked along the dam. The water was busy with dinghies and sailboats and fishermen in hire boats dotted about. Number 23 cast a fly as I went into the wood on the eastern shore. There was the sound of water lapping gently on my right and birdsong on my left as I searched for the footpath leading uphill through Chingley Wood.
   My second break of the morning was under an ancient Beech in the wood. I sat in the roots, a perfect seat, under an inscription carved in the bark: MKM 1952. I wondered who this person was, of the same age as myself. From there, I went into a beautiful meadow of grasses and flowers of every sort expected. There were small blue butterflies (what type?) feeding on Black Medick or Hop Trefoil and Small Tortoiseshells. Above me, a pair of Buzzards were calling. A wanderers paradise!
   After an age trying to cross the A21, I entered Cats Wood and the climb to Kilndown overheated me! I was glad of the extra water I brought. I drank one more cup of coffee at the Quarry in Kilndown; the water was still, with Yellow Flag at the pond's edge and Spotted Orchids on the bank. Then home.

The heat of the day dominates the senses,
And must be disregarded,
Or thoughts trickle away;
Sight and sound are down the drain.