Third post out of four – wistful memories! Feeling desperate to be out walking in these wonderful places again, but hope you’re all keeping safe and well!
We left Chanctonbury Ring without being spooked, and continued on our way.
Near Washington, the South Downs Way drops down off the Downs and walkers have to cross the busy A24. Here, they have a choice – either make a dash across the several carriageways of rapidly moving traffic and hope their luck holds, or take a detour of a mile and half to the small town itself, where they can cross via a small bridge beside the church, possibly after taking refreshments at the Frankland Arms, a conveniently situated pub.
Well, which do you think we did?
Before we reached Washington, however, we passed four disused lime kilns set into a bank. These were built in 1839 by two farmers, and were in use from then until 1930 when production ceased.
Historically, lime Kilns were constructed to burn limestone, such as chalk, which produced quicklime. Quicklime could be added to soils that were low in nutrients, helping to fix ammonia in the soil, aerate the soil, release calcium, and make the soil more workable. It was also used to produce mortar for building, and if mixed with mud it could be used to plaster walls and floors.
It has also been used for disposing of bodies in dozens of whodunnits from Sherlock Holmes to the present day.
Useful stuff, quicklime.
It was scorchingly hot by now, and our pace had slowed considerably. As regularly as we could, we took advantage of any shade we came across to take a breather and drink some more water.
‘The road goes ever onward’ Wrote Tolkien. It was certainly beginning to feel that way.
After the heavy rains and wind we had encountered during the first few days, this was to be the first of several extremely hot days, during which covering ten or more miles a day with rucksacks and hills to negotiate became a mighty chore. On the plus side, we certainly felt we’d earned a cold beer when we reached our destination each night.
Mick Canning 
Absolutely nothing better at the end of a hard day’s labour than an ice cold pint of bitter except maybe an ice cold pint of lime and lemonade then maybe a pint of bitter.
I’m sorry these are currently wistful memories Mick but perhaps once the Summer comes and this coronavirus is under some control you can relive the trip again
Hugs
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Good memories, though, David. Encouragement, if you like! Stay safe and hugs back!
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The old lime kilns actually look kind of handsome, and a place with pleasant associations – agricultural,
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I was going to say, pleasant associations to agriculture and plastering, and then you mentioned the disposal of bodies and give it kind of a little different feeling!
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It certainly is!
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Yes, they are. Although when you think of certain murder mysteries, they do have rather an atmosphere!
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What’s that thing in the field? With yellow flowers possibly on the top?
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It’s a crop of oilseed rape, grown for both the oil it produces, used for cooking and in margarine and soap-making, and as a fodder for cattle.
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OK. Thanks for the info. It looks similar to the mustard fields here in India.
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Very similar, yes.
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🙂
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I shall certainly like to visit England someday.
A beautiful place, for sure.
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I hope you do, Ishaan.
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But as for now, I would wish for this virus to be gone so I can step out of my house!
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I quite agree!
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What better way to spend one’s time during these days of social isolation?
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The closest I can get to real thing, unfortunately, Greg. Hope you’re okay.
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Maybe another hot summer will help burn off that virus. Bring it on!
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Absolutely.
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