Cities Visited (this time):
Harpenden
West Sussex
Brighton
England quickly became probably my favorite country. Though If I truly mean that, I should probably add some 'u's in my words and say again, England quickly became probably my favourite country. I could write unending posts about all the stories I have from the times that I've lived in England over the last three and a half years. I was there for several months during my own DTS, then lived there for another 9 months, and have made periodic visits over the last 2 years which have all been lovely.
I think it's obvious to anyone who ever has any conversation with me about England or sees any of the pictures I post but I love public footpaths. And England is literally covered with them. On almost any street you go on, there will be signs on the side pointing in the direction of a public footpath.
One such day, I was in a lovely place called Cuckfield in West Sussex, in the south of England and I decided to go for a walk. (Again, something I tend to do often). I had been on this walk previously with my good friend and I wanted to venture there again but maybe take a few different turns.
It's always the best when you come to a sign which points to a footpath in all 4 directions.
So I wandered through mud which came up to the tops of my wellies, a bit too close for comfort at times, and made it to the first of many fields I would have to walk through.
There are times when you are walking on a clear path and then others when you are quite literally just walking through someone's property. True story.
So I continued on the familiar route when I came to another crossroads and decided to turn right instead of left this time. I just kept walking, and walking, and walking, finding signs along the way directing me in different directions.
I like dance parties. When an opportunity presents itself where I am in the middle of nowhere, with no one else in sight (hopefully) and music in my ears, I like to pause and have a mini-dance party by myself then carry on. So that happened and it was great.
Like I said before, there are times on these footpaths when you have to walk through someone's property. Sometimes right through the middle of their farm, right in front of their house. But you just have to hope that you find another sign pointing to a footpath and risk a potential awkward situation. So that happened. I hesitated quite a bit, walking back and forth deciding whether or not I wanted to risk feeling awkward. But I pushed through and walked through a farm and happily found a sign which I walked briskly to and climbed the fence to continue on.
What I didn't realize as I was climbing the fence was that I was now entering a field full of sheep, both young and old. I paused for a moment but realized there was no turning back now. So I calmly walked down the hill, trying to avoid scaring them and/or getting chased by one. Sheep are slightly creepy when you walk next to them as they just stare at you and you have no idea what they're thinking or if they are going to run from you or at you.
On I walked and on I laughed at how utterly ridiculous this situation was, wondering what the heck I had gotten myself into. But off in the distance, at the bottom of the hill, was another sign. So I knew all would be well.
However, this sign led to yet another field and now I was very lost and my impeccable sense of direction had left me for the moment. But luckily, it led me right back to a path I knew and I was able to find my way back.
That's just one footpath story. I have many. Some that have led through the woods full of beautiful bluebells, the smallest and most English towns, a lovely nursery full of beautiful flowers, tall grass covered in so much dew which makes your shoes and jeans completely soaked, getting rained on, walking by resting horses just staring at you, beautiful sunsets, open fields, wild garlic and so much more. Many hours of my life have been spent walking around this wonderful country and I am so very happy with that fact.
So for those that live in England, put on some wellies, grab some water and find a footpath.
You won't be disappointed.
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