It’s been quite a while since I ventured along the coast into Sussex. The last planned visit was, like most things over recent months, deferred due to meteorological conditions: too wet, too cold; too something or other. Actually, to say ‘Sussex’ is a bit confusing as they sliced the county in two in 1974. I’m off to lovely Lewes in East Sussex just so I can retrace my steps back to West Sussex the following day: destination Pulborough Brooks. It’s a convoluted route.

For a start, this bird spotting malarkey is getting out of hand. I’m not even a twitcher (although I did invest in a pair of binoculars courtesy of my recent winnings). Firstly, I blame it on Sally and Tony who I have allowed to commandeer Wednesday walks and transpose them into ornithological events. Secondly, I blame Paul Martin – he of Flog It fame. I saw him visit a church in West Sussex and suggested to Bev that we also go there. That’s Bev in the photo. I have sliced her in two a la Sussex mode. All those other bods are birding types who we joined for a guided walk of RSPB Pulborough Brooks.

This is what they’re looking at. Pulborough Brooks is a site of Special Scientific Interest in the Arun Valley. It’s a mixed habitat of farmland and water meadows, overlooking the South Downs, that floods in winter so is good for water birds. We don’t care. The sun is shining and the bird people, are all-embracing. They’re quickly alerted to the fact that we know nothing about anything and are keen to tell us all.

I expect you think you’re about to see a load of pictures of birds. Well, you’re not. And I imagine you’re wondering what this is a photo of. Well, you have to click on it quickly and you might just see a couple of slow worms slithering away. We also saw adders but they’re slippery little beings and a bit camera shy.

I could make up any old story such as the sighting of a Dodo. Here’s a Lapwing with its babies. Allegedly. I have to say, even though I enjoyed this walk immensely, I think we have a greater variety of birds in Dorset. Well, excluding the Garganey which was today’s special. We didn’t know it was a duck and were looking for something exotic. Well, that could be said of most things in life.

And as I always say at dinner parties, there’s nothing wrong with a sparrow. And these little fellows were happy enough to keep us company over lunch.

Speaking of Paul Martin, which I was some time hence, here we are at St Botolph’s Church, Hardham. Interestingly (or not), it was only a few weeks ago that I visited the Postman’s Cemetery outside St Botolph’s Church in London and what do you know, here he is again? Look how beautiful it is outside. But we have come to see it indoors.

I don’t imagine my photos really do justice to this place which contains the most complete collection of church frescoes known in England. Like Bev remarked, when you go in, you think it’s a load of wishy washy stuff. Then your eyes become adjusted and you can appreciate the treat in front of you. How lovely. Thank-you Paul: a man who my youngest daughter always hoped I’d marry.

And thank-you Bev for driving us miles around this beautiful countryside for a lovely day out.