The Quest For England - It's No Blizzard Around The Sussex Fields

[@bobbyx27]

Great video Richard. Where I live in rural Essex, we have quite an extensive network of footpaths. I agree, it's not always obvious where the paths are when they cut across farm land. Due to the increase in people using these paths for exercise during the various lockdowns, one local farmer has kindly marked the various routes across the fields with road cones positioned every hundred yards or so.

[@jeanblemings5352]

Strange the horse with the cosy rug was sad but the one without a rug in the snow seemed less unhappy! Some boundary banks were also topped with pointed wooden stakes called pales (also giving root to the word impale) and that gave rise to the expression 'beyond the pale' meaning to go beyond a boundary.

[@mttfboy]

You're a true trooper Richard, braving the cold elements just to give us a daily video, much appreciated. Hope you enjoyed a hot coffee or tea with shortbread biscuits when you returned home. :)

[@RichardVobes]

Actually, I had a lovely coffee in the Van before I left! :)

[@denniskavanagh3075]

Thank you Richard for braving the mud and snow flurries to bring us another video, I hope the snow does not get as bad 1962/63 when you were born, and when I had just started my first job!

[@RichardVobes]

I hope so too - that would be grim!

[@KitoTodd]

Beautiful country side and I loved hearing the little winged choir(bird's)singing the minute you stepped out of the van! I have a saying-to fully appreciate a walk in nature one must keep the eye's and ears open and receptive at all times 💚🌲🌳

[@bullettube9863]

Another interesting walk! A good point about paths, city slickers don't seem to realize that a crop is a farmers source of income, and any loss is taking money out of their pockets. That field you were walking across was probably winter wheat and if it gets trampled it won't survive the winter.

[@RichardVobes]

I had to walk across some of it where there wasn't the path.

[@bullettube9863]

@@RichardVobes I've noticed that some farmers resent having to maintain access, and don't take steps to insure that paths are kept clear and properly marked. This resentment is partially due to walkers not following the rules so it's important that people like you teach others. Your videos do a great job in this respect, especially when you do a video talking with land owners!

[@jonathanfox1355]

Thanks B.E great exploring and commentary. I agree some farmers do better than others at keeping the footpath clear.

[@SidBonkers51]

What an amazing tree you parked your van opposite Richard, surprised you didnt mention it.

[@michaelthornley]

I love the effect of the snow around you. It showed up quite clearly. And whilst I know it was cold it was a treat for this Aussie to see it....

[@RichardVobes]

Great stuff - I guess you never get snow where you are?

[@ForTheBirbs]

Same here! I'm in Sydney

[@michaelthornley]

@@RichardVobes Rarely in Australia. Confined to the Mountainous ares of the east coast. The great dividing range and even then nothing like the northern hemisphere. I lived for a year in Delaware USA and experienced 'true' snowfalls and that windchill factor. Yet it remains a magical experience for me!

[@michaelthornley]

@@ForTheBirbs Hi Jim. I was born in Manly but living in Melbourne now.

[@cyberherbalist]

Watching this while lying abed comfy and warm in Upper Beeding under the blankets! There's a lovely dusting of snow outside, and neither of our two cats seem inclined to brave the cold outside. And neither do I! So I'm letting you, Richard, do it for me! I hadn't realized one could cross the A24 there! Scary!

[@MrNas42]

I love the way you turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. A simple winter's walk, but with trees, hollow-ways, boundaries, Hoskins, horses (and an old moated settlement that you passed nearby, but didn't mention.) A dash back to the warmth of the van was certainly in order. I trust you had a themus of hot tea waiting for you!

[@RichardVobes]

Funnily enough I saw what looked like a moated enclosure , but the ditch was so narrow, I wasn't sure. But I was right about the field with the oaks in it. There was a hedge row there!

[@ForTheBirbs]

The go pro shutter speed gives good visibility of the snow.

[@ceeceety2320]

We are in a freeze at the moment. It's -5 degrees Fahrenheit which is -15 degrees Celsius for you. Brrrr! Thanks for taking us out for a walk. It's always so beautiful in your part of the world. I think it's genius to dig a trench to mark a property line. I don't know of anyone who has done that here. If there were a dispute, a surveyor would be called out and that would be quite expensive. Take care and have a great day! Tim

[@RichardVobes]

We did have very old ways of doing things.

[@MrGreatplum]

Great walk - it was a shame it didn’t snow as much as was forecast - would have looked splendid on a video. Will be freezing all this week though!

[@shirleylynch4420]

You are a fit man. When I see you jump over these styles and then having a run. What fun. I am cheered up for my morning tasks now. Thank you for that great walk in the country. As always I enjoyed every moment.

[@RichardVobes]

Rock on!

[@ricky-d]

Lovely brisk walk. Enjoyed this video. Agree on the paths, came across similar where the sign implied no access but it was right next to a footpath sign and was very confusing. The farmer saw my confusion and said it was too put 'people off from walking it..' he added with a wry smile..

[@danbh84]

I think Covid would be a lot harder without Richard Vobes' tranquil videos!

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks so much, Dan.

[@marilynpease8782]

I was cold just watching your walk. I’m soon to be moving from hot and humid Charleston South Carolina to the mountains of North Carolina where I shall encounter occasional snow. Having grown up in New England, it will be a treat to see it once in a while. Of course, also a treat for it to disappear rather quickly too. LOL

[@CharlieCooper3101]

Lovely walk Richard, you looked absolutely freezing, I don't blame you though it's been freezing all week here and I'm no good with the cold. I could see the snow where you were,great music and you are right that horse did look very sad, probably cold also and wanted to be indoors in the warm. Liked the bit you put at the end where what we dont see after you edit it all together. The running back for the camera.

[@daveevad]

Interesting, informative and DING!

[@michaelmiller641]

I remember the great snow of 62/63 I was 12, and we had not long moved to Orpington in Kent

[@SidBonkers51]

Small world Michael, I would have been 9 or 10 and not long moved to Bromley. My older sister and I would walk to school across Keston Common and I remember a Ford Prefect (puddle jumper) driving across the lower pond.

[@martincannon1078]

We're baby boomers. I used to drive to the Tigers Head on Chislehurst Common in my BRG MG Midget that would have been in 1966. What a period that was the "Swinging Sixties". Today? Well it's utter crap isn't it?

[@Stringtrees]

That looked very bleak and cold but as I was watching it just after I'd got back from my morning walk though I'd warmed up after having had a hot shower but I could empathise with you. It was a lovely walk though Richard and the deer were a nice little highlight. That horse did look a bit forlorn too.

[@kezzaba1]

We’ve got a light icing of snow and ice here in Hailsham. It was very localised though, we drove 5 miles north yesterday to deliver a birthday present to my 4 year old nephew and when we got up onto the ridge we encountered a couple of inches and despite a snowball fight didn’t stop long because we were worried we wouldn’t get back. The roads were icy. However a bit further north in Uckfield, no snow at all.

[@RichardVobes]

It is funny how patchy it all is.

[@raybeverton9969]

Many thanks for all your hard work. I am based on the northern side of the North Downs and find your observations and comments very interesting as they are generally equally applicable to this area too!

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks, Raymond - I must get over to your area soon.

[@thebard9055]

Love your van, Richard. 😁😁😁

[@steveroperfilms]

I imagine that the gaiters will come into their own in long wet grass,, nettles and brambles etc. For filming staged rain,, milk is often added to the water. Cheers.

[@RichardVobes]

Milk - golly - what a smell after a while!

[@steveroperfilms]

@@RichardVobes It's only a few drops. Now I'm not saying you used anything in the snow shots.

[@merledoughty5787]

Hello Richard i wondered if there was snow about, I watch a live stream camera in Eastbourne but have not seen any snow, great walk something we miss so much

[@cooper68ns]

We are in the middle of a good snow now. 20 to 30 cm . Will know better by tomorrow night. I like snow but it makes so much work. Cheers

[@aabb55777]

Same here near New York City. 10 inches on top of last week's 24 inches. Subfreezing weather expected for the next week. Ironically similar weather is hitting Netherlands and parts off Germany. Meanwhile I miss going to the winter festival in Quebec City. Border is closed between US and Canada - something unimaginable just 14 months ago.

[@RichardVobes]

Have fun!

[@aabb55777]

@@RichardVobes Until watching your videos, I never truly realized how much better England's winter weather was on average than the northeast US. Makes me appreciate all the early settlers.

[@leewiginton]

Wish I had known you were coming to Dial Post. I would have popped out to say hello!

[@doodlesparklecleaning]

Love the running clips!

[@jamesbell7958]

A note worthy point about crossing the farmer's field and how people can unwittingly damage the farmer's crop . I do like the countryside , and like to leave things as I found them .

[@traceystickland-mottram8021]

Thanks for another vlog in the cold. I suppose when it comes to maintaining a public right of way that is pretty low down the list of priorities for a farmer. I suppose people could always walk along the tracks made by vehicles. It's a difficult one. The snow showed up quite well.

[@RichardVobes]

If farmers don't show you where the path is, then they are likely to lose the crops as walks try to find the path.

[@welshmanjasonpatrick8607]

Nice talking walk down fields the snow is down south ther say nice walk with views

[@wiseowl6354]

You were very brave Richard, (I know, that you are nervous of cows/bullocks) approaching strange horses/ponies, without a fence between you! They can be very fickle, and unpredictable, I know as I had four!! Got to go now, as ‘The Vobe Show’ is about to start...

[@walleye364]

I"m just curious how the foot paths work. Are they marked? Is there a map of where you can go? do the farmers have a choice to let anyone walk on the property? If someone buys the property can they cut the trails off? Here in Wisconsin the farmers let the snowmobile clubs cross their property but sometimes a new owner buys it and they have to find another route. Maybe you could make a video of the foot paths and give details, like who when or what can use them. how many people use them? etc.. how they started. is there problems.. etc. guess I should comment after watching. LOL

[@johnbyrne2756]

THE QUANDARY OF ERNEST SHACKLETON (verses 4 & 5) Grinding ice floes groaning growling Take with ease our tangled ship Her anguished death throes moaning howling Resigned, never that snare to slip Canine sweet meat penguin brain Reluctant dine through Polar dark Signs of madness to contain Nothing changing no landmark. JB10

[@wiseowl6354]

FLY WITH A SKYLARK (Verse 1) I long to be a Skylark and fly so high above And take you on my open wing, and carry you my love We would rise towards the heavens and herald in the dawn I would share my liquid warbling song, above those fields of corn So cage me not and clip my wings, as we must all fly free... EB. April 2020.

[@johnbyrne2756]

@@wiseowl6354 Wonderful, really very nice. I always feel there is something slightly special about verses with odd numbers over even ones, Rhyme can be camouflaged a bit by using an additional line. And your meter based on 14 syllable lines is exactly that hit on by me lately.. Personally I find that if I stick with one meter for too long it is difficult to get out of it -- a bit like an actor becoming typecast perhaps.....

[@wiseowl6354]

Thank you JB for your comment, very much appreciated...

[@johnbyrne2756]

I've been assigned the task of both writing and reciting a poem at a Blue Plaque unveilling ceremony for Marc Bolan later this year, Corona virus permitting. I have done these before but this may be the toughest, given that I was never a big fan of the man. Still, best foot forward as they say !

[@wiseowl6354]

John Byrne. That sounds absolutely wonderful. I cannot get into all of your message, as on occasions, my phone does not allow me too! I press ‘read more’ and it does not respond! That’s technology for you!

[@jennyjewell5635]

I listen to the radio farming programs and one chap said that the widening of footpaths has been exacerbated by people observing social distancing and more people out walking.

[@lindagates9150]

Good gosh another field test I just had one at the Eye clinic at Saint Joe’s and I think I failed that test to! I won’t know until the 19th. Perhaps I spotted something moving at the very top of the field I think I saw an imaginary white deer they are rare around here . I feel another Mum rant coming up but I am not going to let loose! Thank you for taking me along with you on the walk I appreciate your attention to the details that make it seem that you have a camera operator hidden out of eyesight. I wondered about the mileage that you actually walked in comparison to the stated one. I learned years ago that most people have vision problems when presented with a sign I am not sure what happens to them but they do have some disconnect problems so it could be a brain fault not an eye condition. The sign writers also don’t think about all of the ramifications that those of us who read signs find in their word choices. My inner editor hasn’t bothered me to much lately I would hope that I am getting better but I fear she might have given up , oh dear I am getting concerned about that. Where did she go, perhaps she is sulking I hope not, I am trying to use commas properly sometimes I think about researching the use of semi-colons I will do that when I figure out how my spelling reflects the generally accepted spelling. Oh gosh I have another thought to add one of My Mum’s Stories Mum would say I am not hard of hearing I am hard of listening! Okay . I declare that I have finished composing this comment and find it up to my usual standards (no quality rating given although one might infer one if the gentle reader desires ) enough of that here are the usual 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🤔🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🤔🖖🖖🖖🖖🖖🖖🖖😇🙋🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️😇🙋🏼‍♀️👍

[@barryrice157]

It is an offence to block or divert a public footpath by unauthorised persons. The path must be clearly defined and cleared to 1.6 metres width. Wander from the path and you could be charged with trespass and vandalism (damage to crops etc). Like you said Richard, sometimes people don't help themselves.

[@PortsladeBySea]

I must admit that I often find footpaths difficult to locate, which does discourage me from walking across the countryside. Living in a country that now sadly has the largest obese population in Europe we should be doing all we can to encourage people to get out and explore, which would be good for both our physical and mental health 👍

[@RichardVobes]

Thanks Barry. I didn't realise it ought to be 1.6 metres. Good to know.

[@RichardVobes]

I totally agree, Mike.

[@martincannon1078]

@@PortsladeBySea Hence your high level of Covid, obesity equals diabetes. Viruses love it...No exercise and junk food and too many sugary drinks...Recipe for doom! I think we are much healthier in France.

[@journeyswithjodi621]

Do you participate in the mass trespass every year Richard to keep access around?

[@stevegee7593]

So you do a 5 mile walk the add another 3 miles running back a forward to place and pick up your camera.

[@Dormousey]

10.36 I have every sympathy with farmers who have public foot paths across their land (particularly at this time) BUT how long has that foot path existed and have humans never avoided wet and muddy/slurried patches? They seriously need to think about this, it's been there for hundreds of years for goodness sake. I don't know the answer, maybe crowd funded drop in electric fences that can easily be removed when needed? When people feel some ''ownership' to the path, they will ease the mud problem - source: own personal experience.

[@Dormousey]

14.52 thank you!