Out and about

 

With both of us Covid-clear and nice weather forecast, today seemed like a good day to go out and have a bit of a stretch.

Late morning we drove across to Upper Beeding with a view to a wander around Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens. It has been many years since the Gorse Fox was last there and the place has changed hands a couple of times in between. Fortunately, the current owners have restored the gardens, improved the pathways, and installed a new sculpture trail. After a coffee and blueberry muffin we headed out into the gardens, snaking our way down to the lakes.

The car park had looked quite full but despite that, the gardens seems empty. We passed the odd family here and there (with the children following a treasure hunt which would culminate in an Easter egg), and there were a few couples but there didn't seem like enough people to warrant the quantity of cars.

We made our way along the paths to the ribbon of lakes, crossing at one of the damns that separate them. Here and there there were further sculptures - some quite bizarre and others very beautiful.

The sun was playing hide and seek. Sometimes the cloud cover completely washed out the blue, others times the sun shone strongly and cast brilliant blue reflections.

We sat for a while and took in the view, marvelling at the tranquility and the mirror-like quality of the still water. It was one of those spots where you could easily linger for an hour or two.

A buggy silently pulled up behind us. It provides transport for people with mobility issues and calls at this spot every 30 minutes. We were in no hurry and could take our time wandering back out of the valley. We watched him drive off.

We discussed our next stop. The Camelia Walk was past its best, so we didn't bother. The Bluebell Bank seemed to be empty - maybe they are doing maintenance. We headed to the Rock Garden.

The Gorse Fox loves a good rock garden. This was a good rock garden, being very well established and having lots of paths leading up through the various features. We wandered back and forth, looking at the garden from different vantage points. It was lovely.

Eventually, we had seen what we wanted. Our "Stream of Consciousness" was enhanced and our should uplifted. It was time to go back to car and home.

(The Gorse Fox was amused by the sign written across the front of a motorhome parked near our car "Adventure before Dementia" - it seemed somehow appropriate).