The walk from Sheepwash lane up to the Rubbing House and back down Chalkpit lane should be good to hear some birdsong so in the early morning mist we set off. It would be a welcome change from the mud of the harbour.
The Lavant was in full flow, indeed as high as I’d seen it, 1.6 metres according to the depth gauge. The path was flooded for a considerable length at the lower end and there were ponds that I never knew existed that had appeared nearby.
There were plenty of catkins about that had grown in length, another sign of spring coming. Clumps of daffodils were also growing strongly, the buds showing a hint of yellow but non open yet.
Along the path there was plenty of birdsong, a medley of robin, sparrow and tits certainly, with an occasional blackbird. Up on the downs it became quieter until we reached the wood leading to the Rubbing House; this looked forbidding in the grey mist but was clearly home to at least two Thrushes with clearly defined
territories. They were in good voice with widely varying verses.
Unfortunately there was little to see down chalk pit lane apart from the scars left by the rain water that had poured down the hillside. This had scoured great gouges out of the chalk leaving it bright white against the grey of the countryside.