This is going to be an easy post – photos taken from a ride
on bus or taxi … going along the Seven Sisters coastline, Cuckmere River estuary,
and views from my lunch venue …
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| River Cuckmere near its 'estuary' |
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| The meandering river across the flood plains - that is haven for wildlife ... oyster catchers to be found in the water meadows; numerous birds enjoy the different habitats ... particularly skylarks rest in the long grass on the rising hills, then ascending ... |
It was a wet week … with dirty bus windows … while my
photography is snap and go … so no expectations … but you’ll get an idea of
this part of the coast line: Eastbourne in the east to Seaford in the west
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| Eastbourne in the east, Seaford on the west, with the A259 the coast road, which connects and is the bus route. The Cuckmere is shown near Seaford, while Rathfinny's vineyard marked in red is in the top left corner! |
…
the vineyard, Rathfinny’s, is above Seaford on the edge of Alfriston village …
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| It really does meander - the road bypasses this river twist |
The meandering river is the feature here … with
ox-bows forming and formed – long walks along the cliffs, fantastic views on
clear days!
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| The Seven Sisters looking west - the Cuckmere estuary appears at the end of the first series of chalk cliffs |
Artists congregate to enjoy the light and the views at
various points along our white cliffs …
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| Looking south eastwards from the vineyard - with the flood plain and haven in the distance |
Personally: ox-bows have always been remembered from
my school geography lessons – so now they’ve come to light and I love the journey
along the coast ...
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| This is when we got the taxi up ... so we could all have a drink ... but Aflriston church, with the village mostly to the left (west) of the river and flooded area |
… especially on the double decker bus – regardless of the
weather – the views are exceptional.
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| Looking across the river from the vineyard |
Titling some of the photos I hope will have filled in
a bit of extra information …
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| Planting by GPS |
The next post – will be foooood … exceptional food and
the tale of the new vineyard …
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| Eurasian Skylark |
Thanks for visiting … and as these things do ... this poem and the music by Ralph Vaughn Williams came to rest in the little grey cells ...
He rises and begins to round,
He drops the silver chain of sound
Of many links without a break,
In chirrup, whistle, slur and shake, …
… the second verse begins:
For singing till his heaven fills, …
The Lark Ascending poem c/o Allpoetry.com
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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44 comments:
The Seven Sisters not only have fabulous views, as we would expect, but the chalk clifftops are very dramatic. I am normally not a huge fan of physical exercise when abroad, but our walks were stunning.
Good morning Exalted Hilary: When I first read "oxbow" I imagined that you had picked this term up during your recent sojourn in Canada, but then you mentioned that you had learned it at school, so I now conclude that it was probably imported to Canada with early British settlers. It is interesting that Australians adopted "billabong" from their indigenous people for what is essentially the same formation, and of course everyone is familiar with that term from the iconic "Waltzing Matilda." Your views from the bus are quite lovely, and if a little grainy, so is life sometimes. With my very best wishes, David.
despite the rainy views, I could grasp the enormous beauty. So glad you could enjoy a birthday jaunt. Now my mouth is watering as I await the food and vineyard post. Fun!
And I should have mentioned, "The Lark Ascending" is one of the most atmospheric and lovely pieces of music every written. I cannot estimate the number of times I have listened to it, but it would number well into the hundreds. And it is refreshing and exhilarating every time. Perfection never loses its edge.
Love the shot of the White cliffs. I think your photos from the bus are pretty good, I always get a blur. I am looking forward to hearing about the vineyard having toured them only in South Africa and France. The food sounds exciting as well. It must have been a good birthday. Keep well, cheers Diane
Hilary I love to read your blog - because I learn so much. I didn't know any of these places - sometimes I feel so dumb. Glad you are enjoying your birthday. It it sure different there then where I live.
Lovely scenery, HIlary! You should make your photos larger, though, to show them off more. :) Looking forward to the foodie post!
That looks like a great drive. I think we should all at some point just take photos of our drives. I bet the different scenery would amaze those who live in other parts of the world.
@ Hels – I think those who like to walk … will get out wherever they are … once I’ve walked around a bit I’ve had enough! – also I’m not a walker/hiker … but the views are amazing …
@ David – I had no idea that billabong referred to ‘an oxbow’ … and I think you must be right … the word must have come over with the settlers. Now I’ll listen to Waltzing Matilda with a different ear ….
Yes the weather wasn’t brilliant for my bus ride over – and grainy … yes life is too at times.
Glad you enjoyed the mention of The Lark Ascending – it’s a beautiful piece of music … and I must read the poem through properly at some stage.
@ Joanne – so pleased you could see what I was trying to get across with the rain spattered photos on a gloomy January day. I’ll be interested to see everyone’s comments after I put up my food post …
@ Diane – aren’t the white cliffs just wonderful. I’m glad I got the concept across of my journey down to the Cuckmere and over it when I was up at the vineyard for those shots. We didn’t do a tour … just went up for the lunch on a pretty cold day – I guess tours happen in the other seasons of the year. The food was delicious …
@ Sandie – that’s great … always love people learning new things and seeing other parts of the world. I’ve never been to middle America – so I’m sure your part of the world is very different to those I’ve visited …
@ Debbie – thank you … if you click on the photos they do open up to full screen – it’s just if I put larger ones into the post – then I don’t have so much space to write!?!!
@ Liz – it’s an amazing journey over … and I’m sure our localities would all be very different … so it’d be a good idea … you next?!
Thanks so much for visiting and your comments – just glad you all enjoyed the scenic views … tastes to follow … cheers Hilary
Funny that oxbows have stuck with me from school geography too! Very little else did.
Oh my. Thank you for taking us along - and for the photos.
I can't get over the 'greenness'. And yes, I remember oxbows too. Somehow I never made the link between billabongs and oxbows though.
The views and words of another country always open my eyes.
Oxbows and bilabongs are somewhat different David. The end result is similar however.
I wasn't joking about my eyes in Words for Wednesday Hilary, had trouble reading your captions today. Enjoyed your blog, I remember that part of the world very well. I lived in Sussex for a few years as well as Kent for a large part of my life.
Yes, I have an optometrist appt. coming up
Hi Jo: I confess to not knowing what the difference is. In the references books I have, a billabong is designated "the Australian name for an oxbow lake." And I just checked Wikipedia and it says exactly the same thing. Having experienced both billabongs and oxbows I am unable to detect what might be different. I would be interested to know.
Lovely pictures
It really is a very pretty part of the world...
What a gorgeous area and lovely photos! I wouldn't mind congregating to do some writing and photography around those white cliffs, myself.
The coast is lovely, Hilary. I never knew how varied it was. I too remember learning about oxbows at school, so share your satisfaction in seeing them for real. What a lovely ride!
Yes, oxbow lakes were part of the essential information we had to absorb for the Geography O-level, and the Cuckmere was always the example to quote. It wasn't a particularly useful bit of information, even when I was studying Geography at Uni! The bus I travelled on the other day wouldn't have been suitable for photos - the windows were so dirty it was difficult to see when I'd reached my stop!
@ Anabel – it seems a few of us Brits remember our ‘oxbows’ – funny old world! I know I certainly don’t remember much from school days and the learning element …
@ EC – yes – we do have lots of green … yet when I visited Ireland a few decades back! – I noticed their green … much more than ours. Obviously though now – green is desperately needed in Australia …
The billabong link and oxbows is interesting isn’t it … I’d never come across it before …
@ Susan – yes … there’s always lots to learn about other countries and peoples …
@ Jo – I don’t think intrinsically they are … it’s just the different geology, time frame and climate over the particular continental/country … produces slightly different formats …
Well – it’ll be good to see the optometrist … hope all will be well with your eyes. Each person’s blog has different aspects – and I don’t normally write quite so much under the caption of a photo. Sussex and Kent are fascinating counties …
@ David – it does seem that a billabong is similar to an oxbow … to me it seems like a billabong occurred in a dessicated (may not be the right adjective!) country – ie very dry over long, long periods … while the Cuckmere is slowly cutting its way down in a newer geological period and in different rock formations …
@ Paula – many thanks … good to see you back …
@ Jz – it’s a lovely part of the world – we’re lucky living here …
@ Shannon – oh there are any number of artists in residence here, as well as small art groups – who gather to paint together. Photographers too … hikers at the ready!
@ Val – you know the Sussex coast and obviously the Dutch/Belgian area so well … while I still get excited everytime I go along that coastal road – it’s so beautiful … even from a grimy bus!
@ John – another schoolchild on oxbows … funny how we all remember – I’m not sure I remember the Cuckmere being quoted – perhaps … long, long ago!
Oh I can believe know about oxbows serves no purpose – it does when blogging comes into play! Oh some buses are so dirty – but then so are the roads they travel along …
Cheers and thanks so much … I never thought I’d have billabongs featuring here … it’s an interesting geological aspect – fun commentary … Hilary
Nothing off about your photography, Hilary. Gorgeous. Great birthday celebration.
I always enjoy good scenery, whether from a car window or standing out in a field. Your photos are terrific!
You live in a lovely part of England Hilary, which I know quite well. When I was 12 my cousin and I used to stay in a prep school in Eastbourne at the foot of the downs. It was in the Summer via Junior Holidays. Great days!
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Fabulous views! Thanks for sharing.
I love the violin piece, Lark Ascending.
@ Jacqui - thanks ... am happy you enjoyed the coastal tour ...
@ Lynda - yes travelling and seeing the countryside is always lovely ... well the photos give an idea, don't they ...
@ Bazza - yes it is a stunning part of the world ... and I guess you must have been either at St Bede's or St Andrew's ... possibly St Bede's ... but absolutely the right place for some beautiful freedom for children ... sounds like the two of you would have had a good time down by the seaside ...
Thanks to you all for coming past - cheers Hilary
Hi Sherry - yes I can see The Lark Ascending would be a favourite for you ... the violin player amongst us. Glad you enjoyed the views ... all the best - Hilary
I love seeing photos of your countryside. Such a wonderful place.
I always enjoy views of the water no matter if it's the ocean, lake, river, or pond. I find it soothing. These are great pictures. Thank you for sharing them. I'm looking forward to the food pictures next because you know I love me some food too!
Elsie
Thanks for sharing this lovely mini tour with you Hilary. :)
What a lovely post
Hi-ya, Hilary. I hope you had a fantabulous birthday! The pics are great, but I think my favorite is of the chalky white cliffs. (Now you've got me singing, "The White Cliffs of Dover"...) Looking forward to your food post... as long as you don't show any pics of "deviled kidneys." HA
Have a super weekend. Cheers!
The views of the white cliffs are beautiful!
This is the first I heard of ox-bows in nature. I always learn something new when I read your blog. It looks like a nice trip with some exceptional views. Those white cliffs are gorgeous.
@ Sandra – it’s certainly picturesque around here …
@ Elsie – thanks … this trip from the top of the double decker is pretty special – looking out over the estuary … yes the food coming along soon …
@ Debby – so glad you enjoyed the ‘tour’ …
@ Jo-Anne – thank you …
@ Susan - I had a lovely birthday … lots going on around here. Those professional photos really put the ‘picture’ into a photo. You’re lucky … no devilled kidneys on offer for our lunch! Lots of other interesting foods though.
@ Kelly – aren’t they just … the white cliffs feature just about everywhere in any marketing poster or image …
@ Inger – so good to see you blogging again – also to know all is well. Oxbows were a definitive geographical feature for us Brits in our geography lessons – just something so many of us seem to have remembered. Our Sussex cliffs are quite special …
Thanks so much for coming by – good to see you all … food appearing soon! Cheers and happy weekend - Hilary
What a lovely tour! Pair that with good food, and that's an amazing day in my books. Those white cliffs are really something else. I can only imagine what it must be like to see them in person.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Andrea
Lovely views – thanks for sharing your trip.
@ Andrea - despite the January weather ... the trip over can be fun to see ... whatever the state of the tide, or the river. The white cliffs are very enticing ... and we're lucky to have them every day.
@ Patsy - great to see you ... as I know you'll have driven that route quite often and know it well.
Thanks so much for stopping off and commenting - cheers Hilary
These seven sisters are gorgeous You must have had a great trip along the coast food and wine and it can't get any better
Very scenic! I haven't been to those parts, makes me want to take a trip...loved the photos and the captions too. I'm a fan of both oxbow lakes and estuaries :)
Have a good week, Hilary.
@ Marja - the area is a delight to live in ... and the birthday was special: I was lucky.
@ Nila - that's great ... if you can get down sometime on one of your visits over here. Great to know you're another fan of oxbows lakes and estuaries ...
Cheers to you both - at long last the sun has reappeared. Hilary
What a wonderful outing. I would love the vegetarian fare and desserts:)
Hi Sandra - it's a fabulous part of the world - while Rathfinny's the wine estate is really professional ... and the vegetarian menu is a delight - thanks for be here to read this - cheers Hilary
The land is lovely. The white cliffs look fascinating to me.
Hi Rosey - it's a beautiful county ... at the moment wind ravaged! But Spring is greening us up - cheers and thanks for the visit Hilary
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