Up and down the Downs - 27 September 2009

Today's glorious late summer weather, took us to the MG day at Uppark, on the South Downs.

On the way, we detoured to Black Down, the highest point in Surrey. The car did most of the climbing, and we walked on a mostly level track to a view point known as the Temple of the Winds. This was a favorite spot of Tennyson, and he describes the view in a poem:

'Green Sussex fading into blue,
with one grey glimpse of sea'

Uppark house was as we remembered it on our previous visit in 2006, but the views out over the countryside were tranquil and a real tonic on such a lovely day.

In 2006, we had also visited West Dean Gardens in springtime, and were very impressed with their orchard. As it is very close, we decided to visit on the way home. The trees were laden with fruit, and looked stunning on their circular and pyramid shaped frames. A real inspiration for a garden of our own one day.