MONICA AKEHURST AT THE KITCHEN TABLE
DOGS THAT LUNCH
12
I’ve long held an ambition to walk the South Down Way. I mentioned this to our youngest daughter and a plan was hatched and actioned. On 26 September 2020 we started walking from Winchester. One car was left at the start and another car was parked at a calculated day’s walk distance. At first these were 12/13 miles, but after three consecutive days we adjusted to shorter distances at my request. We initially stayed in Chichester with my daughter. Poor Tilley (my spaniel) was freaked out by urban living, constantly alert, shivering, reacting to every strange noise. After we lit the wood burner she started to relax. Tilley enjoyed our adventure; slightly disappointed by the lack of pheasants but delighted by snack times. The combined impact of Covid-19 rules, weather and farm workload meant that walking was slotted in when possible. Finally we completed our goal on Sunday 1 August 2021. Tilley stayed at home for the Exceat to Eastbourne stretch because I was concerned by the proximity of the cliff edge. On Monday 2 August the cliffs were in the news
when part of the access path to the Belle Tout lighthouse crashed down onto the beach below. It’s scary to think that we had walked by less than 24 hours earlier. Apparently the cliffs are eroding at approximately two feet a year, and the Belle Tout is now estimated to be 65ft away from the edge. These days it’s used as holiday accommodation; not one I’d rush to book up. I envisaged that the path would be along the coast, but I was wrong. It’s mostly inland, which shows I didn’t pay attention in my geography lessons. On a particularly busy night shift in A&E I remember thinking: “I wish they’d run the Centurion race in the opposite direction, ie start in Eastbourne, finish in Winchester”. Invariably A&E would end up treating entrants for injuries, exhaustion, hypothermia etc. Walking it was challenging enough so I’m now impressed by those who attempt running it in one hit. If I were going to bike it I’d definitely ‘go electric’. It’s a stunning walk, well worth the effort and, being naturally inquisitive, I enjoyed seeing other farmers’ land, crops and livestock. Time spent
> Cuckmere
> Beachy Head, not far now
> Potential hay made into silage thanks to the weather
SEPTEMBER 2021 | WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET
away from your own farm is always refreshing. I discovered ice cream vans now sell ice cream tubs especially made for dogs, to get their tails wagging. It’s a great idea, cashing in on increasing numbers of dog owners. Apparently the hospitality industry is also catching on and launching dog menus. ‘Ladies who lunch’ are being upstaged by ‘dogs that lunch’. On the dog menu: slow cooked brisket, mashed potato and veg, a cup of tea made with lavender and rose petals or non-alcoholic wine Infused with nettle and black carrot. (I’ve not told Tilley or Brie about this, so keep it under wraps). Thankfully on our walk we didn’t observe any ‘out of control’ dogs and leads were in use where livestock were. The increase of livestock worrying by dogs is a major concern for farmers, incurring welfare and income implications. When Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine discussed farmers shooting dogs, someone commented: “Farmers don’t care for their animals because they raise them to be murdered”. Clearly farming as an industry still has much work to do to build up better public relations
> The end, totally recommend this walk
