It’s that time of year when I feel both an urge to look back at the last 12 months and the challenges and triumphs those have brought, and to look forward and make some plans for adventures new. On a personal level, 2023 has been an interesting and at times extraordinary year and I’ve had some fantastic adventures. Here are just some of my Sussex Exclusive highlights and the best of Sussex in 2023. I hope you’re inspired to try some of these in 2024!
Wassailing
On a frosty night at the beginning of the year, I headed over to Michelham Priory near Hailsham for my first taste of Wassailing. The Pentacle Drummers were there and they were fanatstic. If you’ve never seen them perform, put them on your to-do list for 2024. The whole evening was compelling and I’ll definitely be doing it again.
Dark Skies Festival
I am a massive fan of the South Downs and I also love a good night walk, so back in February, I joined Pied a Terre Adventures for a night walk on the Downs as part of the Dark Skies Festival. Again, it was a cold, frosty night but amazing to see the Downs from a different perspective with the help of our expert guide.
Sound bathing
I first came across Jez Smith of Ancient Sacred Sounds back in March and joined him for a sound bathing session in Midhurst. The sounds he creates are the most incredible I think I have ever heard. I loved it so much that I joined another session held in the nature reserve at Warnham – a particularly special venue that hovers over the water and had the sound of the birds in the background.
Running an Ultra
While everyone else settled down to watch the coronation of King Charles III, I set off to run a 50 km Ultra from Christ’s Hospital near Horsham to Hove. The weather was very much against us and some of the worst I have encountered for a long time. It turned into an epic journey and one I will never forget. At one point, I thought I was going to lose my fingers from the cold but I took so many life lessons from the day, namely: just keep chipping away, your mind will give up long before your body and you are always stronger than you know!
Hot air balloon over Sussex
On my birthday, I headed to Petworth for a balloon flight. As someone who doesn’t like heights and gets car sick, I was not expecting to enjoy it. But I loved it! What a way to see Sussex and my only regret is that we didn’t stop at The Pig on the Downs for dinner which was next to our landing site.
Lunch at Rathfinny
As the year slipped into summer mode, I was invited to Rathfinny’s open-air kitchen. Just south of Alfriston, Rathfinny enjoys the most incredible location and as (unusually) I wasn’t driving, I enjoyed a long and slightly bubbly lunch overlooking the vines. It was a scorching day and it felt like we’d been transported to the south of France. What a location!
A stay at the Beachcroft Beach Huts
I didn’t know much about Felphan until I was invited to stay at the Beachcroft Beach Huts. Although it was July, we had mixed weather and on the first night enjoyed a wild and blustery night walk along the seafront. Later, listening to the storm rage and the waves crash from my cosy bed in the hut was pretty special. By the second night, the skies had cleared and I sat on a private balcony watching a magnificent full moon light up the sea.
Open-air theatre at the Weald and Downland Museum
As the summer wore on, we were invited to an open-air production of The Great Gatsby. For once, the weather was on our side and we explored the grounds of the Weald & Downland Museum before settling down in a deck chair with a hamper. The sun duly played its part by dramatically falling over the final scene and as we drove home via The Trundle, we enjoyed the most incredible skies.
Walking the South Downs Way
I very nearly didn’t walk the South Downs Way this summer as I didn’t have time. But I am so glad I did because it’s easily one of the best things I have ever done. I started off with a laptop in my backpack which I had ditched by day 2. It’s very hard to describe what is so amazing about this 100-mile walk, whether it’s the endless views, the methodical plod of constant walking or the sense of history and belonging but if you ever get the chance, grab it with both walking boots!
Bubbles and Botanicals
In November, we held the second Bubbles and Botanicals event. As the county continued to feel the cost of living squeeze, you never know how these events are going to turn out but it was wonderful to see so many people come and learn about our many fabulous local producers. There was lots of laughter and fun which made all the hard work worthwhile.
The Serpent Trail
As the year wore on and the weather turned really cold, I met up with Friends of the South Downs and Rural Strides to walk the first section of the Serpent Trail. It was bitterly cold and involved an eye-wateringly early start. We walked 28 km from Haslemere to Rake via the Temple of the Winds at Blackdown. It was snowing gently for most of the day and we took shelter in a church to eat our lunch. I learnt so much along the way but it was nearly dark by the time we reached the finish point and the waiting van. An epic walk indeed.
Mediaeval Baebes
Finally, as the year crawled to a finish and the days had almost reached their shortest, I headed to St Mary’s Church in Horsham. It’s two years since I last saw the Mediaeval Baebes and with front-row seats, the purity, strength and depth of their voices blew me away. Their musical choices combine ancient folklore and pagan traditions with Christianity and joyously uplifting carols. They are unique and what a great finish to the year.
The year isn’t finished yet and I still have a couple of adventures up my sleeve but I hope you’ve enjoyed this best of Sussex round up for 2023. Now all that remains is to start looking forward to all the new Sussex adventures in 2024. I can’t wait!
Happy Christmas and an Adventurous New Year.
See you on the other side!
