This February has seen some amazing weather, with the past two weeks being warm and sunny way beyond any seasonal expectations - more like Spring already.
Today was a rare chance for my Wife and I to enjoy a day out and some great weather, so we opted to try to make the most of it. Being National Trust members, we looked through our annual guide book at the properties available around us.
We set out on a countryside drive, deliberately, to make our way to Sissinghurst Castle,Kent (we have visited once before, but that was many moons ago). The route there takes us through Goudhurst, which is where I lived for the first 11 years of my life, so that was a great start.
We knew before we went that the actual gardens at Sissinghurst are still on their Winter closure until 9th March, but we knew also that we could go up the tower and that we would be able to take a countryside walk around the estate.
Arriving around lunchtime gave us the excuse to try out the wares at the Cafe - I recommend the shortbread and the scones, so delicious and made even better by being able to sit at the outside tables in glorious sunshine.
Thereafter we set off for the walk around the estate. Taking the pathway down the side of the main building, we were soon alongside the moat and in a few minutes we came to a corner at which we needed to turn to continue the walk route. At this corner, on the opposite bank of the moat, is a Gazebo that sits at the corner of the garden behind the Castle.
After taking a few pics, we continued along the route and branched left to follow the path out around a lake. It was all so idyllic and peaceful, with the weather adding to our enjoyment. The photo below shows Catkins on the lower hanging branch, with the bare trees the biggest giveaway that this really was just February !!!!
Continuing, we came to a gate at which we had the choice of short walk or turning towards a longer walk. We opted for the shorter option for today and set off up the edge of a field to another gate that led out onto the entry path back into the main grounds. If we had continued on the longer version of the walk, we would have reached a couple of spots labelled on the map as viewpoints - something for another day.
Entering the Castle area, we soon decided on a climb up the numerous steps to reach the top of the Tower - from which the views across the Kent countryside are far reaching.
In one of the rooms accessible from the Tower, the Writing Room, there was an old printing press dating back to 1930 (see photo.left).
That was followed by a visit to the Exhibition that was visiting for a few weeks showing the winning shots from International Garden Photographer of the Year competition in its' various categories.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this National Trust property and will return in a few weeks when the Gardens will be open. Everything there was very well presented, and signposted, with very helpful staff around when required.
With plenty of time available to us and the great weather, we decided on a trip to the coast to make the day complete. Starting the drive, we originally chose Beachy Head as our destination but that changed later in the journey and we headed for the car park at South Barn on Seaford Head - a spot we know well and from which we know exactly where to walk for the viewpoints we like.
Our walk took us down to Hope Gap, where there is a flight of steps that take you down to beach level if you wish to go there. First photo was from top of cliffs, as I saw the opportunity to take the photo below - called it Bench with a View. AND What a View !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I took some pics from the top of the steps before making my way to the beach level, as I could see that the tide was not quite reaching the steps. This particular beach and the various angles that can be achieved from there, dependent on tide , is one of my favourite spots.
I chose to go to the right at the bottom of the steps, which is a change from my normal direction. This was because i could see the chalk rocks on the edge of the shore with waves washing over them and all in the lovely glow of the winter sun.
Having deliberately left the tripod in the car, I decided on photos at around 1/60 sec and as low an ISO as I could get away with and still get a decent f stop for good depth of field.
The photos were very pleasing, with some capturing the wave splashes over the rocks and a couple showing a nice curve to the waves as I looked along their trajectory as they came towards the shore. Once again these photos had the Seven Sisters cliffs bathed in sunshine to create a wonderful background for the photos, while the blue sky and blue sea both added to the perfect scene.
The view from the top of the cliffs , looking along the Seven Sisters was recently voted Britains' Best View in a national newspaper - though I always think it looks even better from down at beach level at or near the spot I used today. Whichever part you prefer, it is certainly true that this particular scene is one of the most breathtaking in our wonderful and varied land. It is also one I never grow tired of, I actually feel happy and relaxed when I am confronted with this view.
