Rural bliss

So I *still* haven't started knitting again - there is just so much exploring (and nest building) to do!

Our main reason for moving to the seaside was to relocate our daily walks - but we had a niggling worry that we'd miss the countryside.

Luckily we've got the best of both worlds here. Literally just around the corner from our house we found a footpath leading up a field...


I've often shared photos of lambs when we've been walking




but we've never before been able to see the sea at the same time!!


We resisted the temptation to have lunch at the Royal Oak - but if you're in the area they have a great menu which includes a "daily deal" for £4.95. (We had gammon steak, chips and salad last week and it was yummy.)

We headed back past the church through fields to Fairlight and then along the cliffs back to Pett Level.

Isn't this a great viewpoint? All downhill from here I'm pleased to say!


I've zoomed in on the white cuboid house you might spot on the beach - it's the Big White House featured on Grand Designs. We watched the programme when it aired in 2003 (I think?) but had no idea at that time that we'd move here.



I promise I'll start knitting again soon....!

Our new neighbourhood

Well, we've finally moved, the computer is back up and running and I've even started knitting again. Time to catch up, and as always you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them:

On Sunday (the day before we officially moved to Pett Level) we walked from Pett to Winchelsea along the Royal Military Canal, built way back when to defend the UK from Napolean Bonaparte. It was a glorious spring day with a brisk breeze - we were putting layers on and taking them off again all day!


The end is in sight - can you see the towers of Winchelsea Strand Gate on the horizon in the photo below? Years ago I took a series of photos starting here for my first website celebrating the Lone Pine Club books by Malcolm Saville. I should probably retake them now I have a better camera, they're a bit washed out!


The photo below is taken from the Strand Gate at Winchelsea, looking back across the canal and marshes to the sea. We had a quick pint in a pub garden, then headed back down the hill again to find the coast.


Yes, it's spring - lots of proud mums around!


The tide was out - we were very pleased to see so much sand, we'd thought we'd moved to a mostly shingly beach!


Nearly there (below). In the distance you can see Cliff End which is where we will leave the beach and turn right to head for our new home. Apparently there are many fossils to be discovered here at low tide, but we will have to time it correctly - it's 3 miles before the cliffs can be ascended again and I'm not that good a swimmer. Certainly not for today, at the end of a five mile walk.


One last photo... I was entranced by the beautiful designs (and I use the word deliberately) that the sea has drawn in the sand - isn't it wonderful?

Moving in day!

Very excited to be moving into our new home today!

Yesterday we walked for hours in our new area, along the canal to the next town, Winchelsea, and then back along the beach.

Took loads of photos but haven't got them on the computer yet - just this one which amused me somewhat - you might have seen it on facebook yesterday, but if not...I see a female figure on the left and a rabbit on the right. Wonder what they're talking about?




It's actually a pair of very weathered sea-defence groynes.

It happened!

The piano was the last item in the first of four storage containers, everything is now stored away till next week, when we finally get to move in.

For now, we're holidaying in the New Forest and have the worst wifi in the world, but at least it's in the pub!

boxes boxes boxes

We're moving house tomorrow.


Can you tell?


And I haven't even shown you all the boxes in the loft and the shed and all the outdoor plant pots....

But as long as we know where the kettle is, I expect we'll manage!

memories...

Look what I just found in the loft - circa 1987 I think. You can enlarge it to readable proportions by clicking on the pic.



:-)

My pond, the frog nursery!

This is the scene from my window - the pond looks as if it's boiling as the frogs jostle for the best position! Click on the pic to enlarge it and see how many pairs of froggy eyes you can spot.


The moment I go outside they all vanish - except today one decided to stay and pose for the camera.


And this is why - look mum, look what I've done!


On Tuesday there was just one small blob of frog spawn - today (Thursday) there are SIX!



We'll be moving house next month so won't see them grow up this year, I've got enough packing to do without working out how to transport amphibians! In any case, it's not advisable to move pond life around, it can unwittingly spread invasive non-native plants. I'm sure we can soon attract some frogs to our new home.