In my mind I've been roaming over the South Downs. Thinking of walks to do in the year ahead, daydreaming and looking at maps. Perhaps a winter walk or two then the longer, warmer days will be here...

                        

 Hassocks is a convenient railway station to access the foot of the Downs. Beyond that point the train enters a tunnel to Brighton. Between Hassocks and the Downs is Butcher's Wood which is carpeted by Wood Anemones in early spring followed by a haze of Bluebells.  

  

 

 Many of our native Orchid species can be found up on the Downs in locales like Wolstonbury Hill, the Devil's Dyke and Mount Caburn. 

  

 The South Downs are an important repository of wildflowers being a patchwork of habitats including chalk grassland, lowland heath, woodland and wetland. As I recall this photograph was taken on the coast path walking over the Seven Sisters from Eastbourne towards Cuckmere Haven. 

 High summer is probably the peak for wildflower spotting but there are plenty to see well into autumn. I remember lots of Marjoram last September walking the South Downs Way near Lewes. I will aim to revisit some of these routes and seek out new ones.