Yesterday – the walk, the midday pub, more walking and another pub in the evening for the gig – was almost my idea of the perfect walking tour day. It was a big day and a great gig in the George & Dragon, Houghton. After all that, today has a sense of the harsher realities of long-distance walking. I have never seen as many plasters being applied at breakfast. Sore feet seem to be most people’s problem and it’s not surprising because the chalk and flint path is pretty unforgiving. My feet are feeling it too. Today should have been called the “feet don’t fail me now” tour. We’re walking from West Sussex towards the Hampshire border, and the South Downs are becoming more lush and tree-lined and less open. But still we’ve had some magical glimpses out towards mid-Sussex and as far as the North Downs. Looking forward to Elsted Village Hall tonight. JJ

So. We walked from Somewhere to Somewhere Else. Two small but bustling towns on the South Downs Way. In between these places was a varying number of green and pleasant miles, gorgeous views, countryside throwing itself at us from every angle. Lovely. Nature in all of us and all of us in Nature. The second day of rambling / route marching (you decide) ended with an ice cream van, a beacon and a mad tumble towards Jack and Jill windmills.

By the time the stage was organised at the Hassocks Hotel, the 25+ party of hardy (foolhardy? Laurel and Hardy?) walkers had settled into their third pints and the band were ready to stumble / foxtrot (you decide) through a set of John’s songs. Typically, everyone forgot the words and did anyone mind? No! The Ramblers is an exercise in Ideas and Risk and linking up the “day-to-day” with the hallowed hidden world of the touring musician. Breaking down the barriers! Making stuff up! Getting things wrong! Band and audience together “in harmony”!

“Didn’t we have a love-er-ly time” etc (John said not to mention that).

Until next time, Boff.

Yesterday had to be one of the best first days anyone could wish for, with the largest number of walkers we’ve ever had – stretched along the Downs under a clear blue sky with stunning views out to sea and inland over the rolling Sussex countryside. So many highlights for me…The ribbon of people climbing up to Beachy Head. A peregrine falcon weaving over the rollercoaster cliffs of the Seven Sisters. The Cuckmere River with its oxbow lakes. The walk into Alfriston, an English idyll that would have had Constable reaching for his easel. The peal of church bells as we entered the village. The Aspalls cider in the garden of The George…

Big thanks to Hayley at the Trevor Arms in Glynde for hosting a great session. Endless tunes with some great musicians. Dan Quinn and ex-Oyster bass player Ian Kearey came in from Brighton. Sir Roger de Coverley was danced on the pub lawn. The bar was so packed that some people were watching through the windows, unable to get in. But the ultimate highlight for me was singing Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy with The Copper Family.

Now back to reality: a grey overcast morning. About to head to Southease Station to start the difficult second day. We’ll see who’s there. JJ