On my doorstep

Last week I went for a walk up on the downs from my house. I can't remember the last time I did it. When I first moved here I walked up there nearly every week but familiarity breeds contempt and now I take it for granted. The walk reminded me of what I have on my doorstep. I walked up the hill through the woods to Butts Brow and then up along the ridge to the South Downs way.

From there, I walked a little way along the South Downs way until I reached the trees and the path that leads down to my house. All in all the walk is about an hour and a half . One thing I love about being up there is that you can see the sea on three sides, making you feel that you really are at the edge of the country!

A (very) relaxing day

It was pouring with rain when I got up this morning and I had an early start as I was teaching in Brighton. I took the train and got soaked trying to get the parking meter at the station to accept my 20p coins; but by the time I got to Brighton it was dry and the sun was attempting to shine. After a pleasant morning I headed off further into town for my afternoon treat. I had booked half a days leave to use a voucher that my brother and sister-in-law had given me for my Birthday. This involved over three hours of body treatments, including a massage, facial, salt scrub and manicure in a spa in Brighton. It was the most pampering I have ever had in one session. I remember falling asleep and being vaguely aware that I was beginning to snore during the facial treatment! I now feel very floppy!

I walked back along the seafront. Brighton is much busier than Eastbourne, aptly named London-on-sea. I took this photo of the burnt out West Pier as it falls further and further into the sea and didn't notice the seagull at the time.

This view from the prom is how I felt at the end of my pampering!

In the meantime, Ian has gone over to France and I have a weekend to myself and a list of jobs and things to do that will take the best part of two weeks!

Winter sky and sea

This afternoon I was visiting further down the coast near Hastings. After days of grey rain the sun was out and I left just as it was beginning to go down (3.30 this time of year!). The picture doesn't really do it justice.

Stopping for a photo

One of the things that goes through my mind when I think about moving to France is that somehow I will miss all the beautiful English countryside and the changing seasons here in the South. That is why I like to put photos on the blog of things I have enjoyed looking at.

On the way back from Ian's I stopped off in Mayfield. I have driven past the town for about 2 years so I thought it was about time I stopped to see what it was like. On the whole I thought it was a nice Sussex village/town but didn't feel inclined to hang around. I did take this photo of the view from the car park, which struck me as 'typical' view of the English countryside.

Sea view

After the meeting I sat down on the beach for a few minutes looking out to sea.

Bridge over the Shannon

The University of Limerick is in two counties. The main campus is in County Clare but a collection of departments are in County Limerick, the other side of the Shannon river. I would say that it makes for one of the most attractive campuses I have ever visited but does potentially hamper communication. For this reason a pedestrian footbridge was built across the river. When I last visited it was still being built but now it is fully operational and means that it is a pleasant 5 minute walk to the main campus rather than a 20 minute walk or a drive! The bridge is called the living bridge and is designed to move a little and encourage places to stand and chat and (although I must admit it was a bit too breezy for that!

May blossom

The trees are in blossom at last. This is on the lawn at work.