I Guess You're All Suitably Rested, So We'll Walk On...

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Right... we've had our rest from the first part of the walk now, and hopefully, you've had time to digest the atmosphere and surroundings, refreshed sufficiently to walk on. So, we'll resume our walk in a southerly direction, on down the path, through the rest of the woods, to the second millpond. As we take up the path, we come to a fork, the left leading deeper into the woods and up to the footpath beside the main London to Brighton road, and the right, towards the second millpond, where we're headed. Once again, we're walking upon a leafy carpet, under an archway of rich, green trees. Shafts of sunlight pour through the leaves onto the ground in front of us... all is still now, and all that can be heard for a while is the sound of birds fluttering in the undergrowth and branches of the trees, and maybe the odd deer creeping around in the woodland in the hope of not being spotted by us. We pass some marshy ground on the right, which is the level to where the pond rises during the wetter months. Reeds grow in the marsh, and broken, fallen branches rest in a haphazard pattern on the ground. Ahead, we can see the sunlight as the footpath comes into more open territory... fields hedgerows with a few willows and hawthorn trees around us, as we come upon the edge of the second millpond, where ducks are idly paddling; sheltering under the trees on this lazy, balmy evening. There are four or five landing stages, and two, wooden boathouses which have seen better days, but all add to the character of the place. As we near the T junction of the paths, we can see and hear water tumbling down from the pond into the overflow area, which used to house a watermill. The water now falls away into the third millpond which is some fifteen feet below the level of this one, and where the fishermen have chosen to spend their time dipping their fishing lines over the second millpond as it's more sheltered. We turn to our right, and behold the second millpond. There is an island here too, in the pond, a mud one this time, with a tree on it, albeit old and withered now. Here is where the Canada Geese nest each year. They are swimming on the pond now, towards us, ignoring the fish who keep popping up for insects. Ripples gently lap across the pond, as the geese swim swiftly towards us. Their quest is to reach us quickly... we're intruders, and their intent is to drive us off!! They reach the wall, and clumsily leave the water in order to stand in our path, fluttering and edging their way up the brick edging to the pond... ... the adults hissing and warning us away from their young. The young are not bothered... no sense of danger yet, so they pad about all over the place, out of control! They edge nearer, looking for the food which they think we've brought them. We have to brave it, because we want to continue along this path, and over the farm field and styles, to the pathway which takes us back to the village. I take up a stick from beneath the oak tree here, so that I can ward them off if they attack, so if you wish to do the same, please do! lol. They can be quite threatening at times, and we need to move on..... phew!! That was a close call with Daddy Goose, but I'm through... come on, stay in a group and they won't know which of us to go for! Across the field we venture and over the style, turning right onto the path past the next small wood. It's quiet here. There are horses in the field to our right and the odd squirrel and rabbit scurrying into the woodland, and up trees, whichever is their way. The horses take one look at us, then carry on munching at the tufts of grass in the field, regardless. We continue to walk down the pathway to the next style. This one's not easy! It's low, nothing to hold onto and the drop into the field beyond is quite a long one, so we'll have to jump... be careful of the ruts on hitting the field! This field is full of grazing sheep, who give us the stare as we make our way across their land. There's another big, old oak halfway down the field under which a few of the sheep are resting. We skirt around them, and continue to the style at the bottom, which is higher than the previous one and easier to get over. Thud... we land on the grass verge beside the east to west road again, where there are horseradishes growing by the roadside, and cross again to the Village sign. There's a big triangle of grass in which the sign stands, where I think we'll sit and take another rest before moving on. The South Downs again, are in view, and the hot air balloons are still circling high in the evening sky. I'm sure you'd like a little time before the uphill walk which is before us. Take a few moments to take in the view and reflect again on what you've seen whilst you rest your weary legs. How are you feeling... tired yet? Are you enjoying the walk, and do you want to go on, or retire to the pub now, whilst the rest of us continue? Hopefully, you've brought some water along so that the need doesn't arise until after our walk is completed. :) I'm enjoying the company!