I saw someone's photos of a walk they did last year round the tiny Sussex village of Lodsworth. It piqued my interest and I made a mental note to pay it a visit if we were ever passing that way. As it turns out it was only 2 miles off the main road that we were travelling on back from time away with family earlier this week. Made perfect sense to drop in and appreciate its treasures in the misty ethereal weather we were all enjoying that day.
So why did I bother? Was it for Bamford's Covered Chain Pump?
Well no. Was it for the biggest monkey puzzle tree I have ever clapped eyes on. Impressive though it was...no.
Perhaps the peace of the church or the beautiful stained glass in the parish church tempted me?
No. Maybe the lure of the ancient well of St Peter to which Medieval pilgrims beat a path or the nearby house of the same name with its gate and the crossed keys of the saint detail?
No again. Could it have been the fabulous array of properties [with a Sussex price tag to match]? Maybe. This one's got a blue plaque on it so we're definitely getting warmer.
The once famous resident of this particular house is now buried in the churchyard and I felt it was time I paid my respects to the legacy that the artist E H Shepard has left us. His illustrations for the Winnie the Pooh books and 'The Wind in the Willows' underpinned my childhood and gave me a love of reading that I have carried on into adulthood.
Technically this was the final day of 2025, but I am claiming it as the first adventure of the New Year. Hope everyone has a cracking weekend.
꩜Aril꩜
