Walking at dusk

Just spent a few days with my auntie in West Sussex, a beautiful part of England that is ripe for inspiration.

It was great to spend some quality time with my dear old auntie. She takes a lot of naps these days so while she was resting I took the chance to explore the local area. Her lane is peppered with the quaintest cottages, many of them thatched. The attention to detail is incredible. It’s impossible not to think of the craftspeople that built these beautiful homes and the present day thatchers that keep the tradition alive. The combination of wood, thatch and whitewash is as old as the hills. As usual, materials that function well together also have an enduring aesthetic that’s impossible not to respond to. Natural raw materials seem to work on a human level that feeds our soul.

Leaving the domestic lanes behind I explored the local footpaths and took an enchanting walk in the twilight. There’s a well worn path that rises to a ridge with a breathtaking view over the nearby chalk downs. Such vast horizons are a welcome change from the narrow lanes around the village. The expanse of sky revealed the earliest stars making their appearance, you can just about see them in the picture below. Following the ridge, the path leads down towards a stream in a wood. The last moments of daylight were caught on the sparkling water of the stream and even on the puddles underfoot (it rained a lot the previous night!).

There’s something evocative about dusk. I love to walk in nature just as the day is ending. It feels quiet and slow, allowing thoughts to descend and settle just as stars and owls emerge to welcome in the night.