Sussex: Bluebells in Chailey.

parking | dog friendly | public transport

It was a weekday afternoon and I had just tested negative for covid for the first time in five days. With my teenage niece in the house (though I love her to bits!) and a restless dog I jumped at the chance to take myself and the dog off for some fresh air in a remote woodland.

The footpaths through these woods are familiar ones. Monty grew up just five minutes away where I lived for a while. As a puppy he would run around these paths most days while I observed the changing season through the year - first the wild garlic, then the bluebells until the trees grew their cover making for a chosen spot for rainy days. Then, as bonfire night approached, the leaves would fall and the skeletons of all that housed endless green would stand solid and strong.

Having not visited these woods for while, I observed the changes - the fallen trees from the recent storm and the diversion paths created by those determined to make their usual route. I feasted my eyes on the bluebells growing wherever they could find room to sprout up along with the wood anemone and the early purple orchid that are abundant in these woods. With weary legs, I trod the public footpaths through these woods and while the smell was absent through the side effects of the virus, I felt spoiled and joyful I got to witness this important gateway marker to Spring.