Enjoying the sunshine

Though there is a cool breeze, it is a lovely day. Certainly too nice for the Gorse Fox to stay indoors. The Silver Vixen is still under the weather, so she stayed in the warm.

The Gorse Fox left the state and headed through the old village of Bersted, following the route of the pre-14th Century road towards Shripney.

Previously when he had tried this route it was blocked off by the new by-pass. Now the by-pass is open the footpath has been re-opened and you can cut diagonally across country to Shripney.

Being part of the coastal plain, the whole area is very flat and criss-crossed by draining ditches, rivers (rifes), and ponds.

The Gorse Fox was surprised by how quickly he got to Shripney. By road it seems quite a way, but across country you realise it is less than 2 miles.

Shripney is an old village and used to boast Shripney Manor (though GF didn't see it and suspects it is no longer there). He did spot one old building with a date of 1699 and suspects it is by no means the oldest in the village.