Spectacular Sunrise

19th January 2014

    As I left for Brenchley, Mani peeped from behind rain-filled clouds and was showered on as I drove. Hartlake Road was closed because of flood, so I diverted through East Peckam. After picking up Dee and Maisie, the showers stopped and we left Kilndown to walk through the wood for Lamberhurst. Two Song Thrushes were scrapping in the road and one left hurriedly, beaten. Into the trees, a Tawny Owl hooted and the call reverberated through the wood as we went down to the River Bewl. The birdsong was much more noticeable this morning; almost springlike, was the clamour. Over the river, swollen and muddy, then across the pasture, the ground was extremely boggy, even on the rise to the hill-top. The sky cleared from the west, and we hoped for a good day. The walk along the Tiese into Lamberhurst showed what the water level was in full flood, with dead vegetation swept away, and the river angry still. We stopped and turned to watch as the Sun rose and burst through cloud with a spectacular display and beams were radiating from the perfect light. The houses by the river in the village had sandbags in readiness at the doorways for the next deluge, but the Chequers pub was still in business and offering a two course lunch for eight quid for the over-sixties! We followed the Tiese in its tortuous meanderings to the old hopper-huts. On a beam in the roof of one was inscribed: LES'S HUT 1954. There were hop fields all round here, but now it is all just a memory, and the fields have given way to corn and sheep and cattle. A light mist had settled here and the cold could be felt on the face. And past the mill, in a barn, cattle were sheltering with calves and one was slurping greedily at mum's teats. On the road bridge, the Sun shot through the mist and trees with softly radiant shafts and sparkled the water.
    We sat against an Oak for a cuppa in the Sun, just off the Free Heath Road in Hook Green and warmed ourselves. Then the walk across winter wheat to Bewl water took us through sticky clay and then (relatively) dry sandy soil, so much easier to walk on. The Pheasant feeders still held seed and the markers for the guns were in place, but there was no gunshot to be heard. The Alpacas in a pasture close to Bewl Water were interested in Maisie, but she wasn't too keen on them and hid behind Dee and barked! And at the Water, we stopped for another break where soup was taken to warm us in the cold wind driving across the reservoir. The sounds of the people in sailing dingies carried in the wind even as we walked uphill through Chingley Wood to the Post Boys on the A21. At an up-turned tree, hiding under the roots in the sunlight, his colours bright, was Cock Pheasant. He didn't stir, and Maisie didn't see him. I think that he will live a long life! Then it was the last leg back to Kilndown through Cats Wood, the Priory and Shearnfold Wood. At the chicken farm, Maisie touched the electric fence and screamed with shock and ran like a thing possessed. She will learn to stay away from the fence one day. Above us, Buzzards circled; one, two, no five! A great cacophony, calling to each other. They stayed overhead as we went through the wood and they gradually dispersed after their meeting.
    At the Kilndown Village Hall, a 6th birthday party was in full swing. What happened to teacakes and jelly with best friends at home? Everything seems to be done at great expense these days. The simplicity of life is long gone, when we were all poor. Now we must impress our child's friend's parents with displays of opulence.
    Then home, hot shower and rest after a hard, muddy walk, with aching legs and back!