Viva Lewes Issue #139 April 2018

COLUMN
Walkies
#14 Over the rainbow
Sarah and I have been in Africa. Yes, do try and
get over it. We did indeed miss the icy blast from
the east. We have tans to die for and everybody
hates us but, hey, that’s life. Happily, Todd is still
over the moon to see us. Presumably we still
smell the same, which in my case isn’t much to
shout about.
To celebrate our return, we’ve barely set foot
on England’s green and pleasant land before
the three of us take to the fields and woods near
where we live, joined by Sarah’s six year-old
niece, Cordelia. Our route takes us from the
Rainbow Inn in Cooksbridge to nearby Barcombe
Church, before heading north, and then
west, over the fields.
Ancient history lies lightly buried in this part
of Sussex. In a field near Barcombe Church
are the recently excavated remains of a Roman
villa while a branch of the Sussex Greensand
Way, a Roman Road, runs east/west along the
escarpment above Cooksbridge. And spookily,
Deadmantree Hill, which runs uphill from the
pub, is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of
dead soldiers killed during the Battle of Lewes
in 1264.
On a more light-hearted note, as we make our way
along the footpath that runs parallel to the Roman
Road, I find myself humming Over the Rainbow
from the Wizard of Oz which I watched again
for the first time in 40 years on the plane home.
Cordelia has seen it recently too and wants to
know whether the lions in Africa are as cowardly as
the one in the film. I reply that, after being charged
by one on a walking safari, Sarah and I are firmly of
the opinion that the answer is “No”.
Clearly in a reflective frame of mind and doubtless
thinking of Judy Garland’s adorable little dog, Toto,
Cordelia then says: “Auntie Sarah, do you think
there are dogs in heaven?” “Of course there are,
sweetheart” replies Sarah reassuringly. “But how do
you know?” asks Cordelia looking troubled.
“Because we’re in heaven right now,” says Sarah.
“Todd’s a dog and he’s in heaven running around
in the fields. Spring is on the way. You and me
and Richard are having a wonderful walk, we’ve
got a great view of the Downs and we’re in
heaven too.”
“Oh dear,” says Cordelia after a few moment’s
silence. “That’s very sad. I suppose we must all
be dead then.” Richard Madden
Map: OS Explorer OL11. Distance: 4.5 miles. Terrain:
Farm tracks, fields, stiles, woods, side roads,
fields again. Directions: From the pub, take the
footpath along the farm lane heading south-east
and over the fields to Barcombe Church. Then
follow a maze of footpaths north and then west
beside the Roman Road before heading south
along the side road towards Cooksbridge. Cut
back along the path over the fields to the pub.
Start/Finish: The Rainbow Inn, Cooksbridge
(sadly closed).
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