Although I had covered most of the South Downs in East Sussex over the last year, there were still pockets left undiscovered.  I also realised this late in the day I not have a good landscape photo of the White Horse on high and over.  That was where I was heading via hiking through Friston forest.

Butchershole to Friston Hill

The weather forecast was not great , mostly cloudy but that often meant some blue holes where the sun could peek through momentarily.  I desperately needed a walk after my last week in the office.  I parked up at Butchershole bottom pay and display and estimated 4 hours would be enough.

I made my way to Friston Hill and setup my camera for a few landscape shots just to put it on the map.  The light was not the best but managed to capture some wild flowers to add interest to the foreground.  The hills in the background I had also not walked yet, called Friston Dencher that would take you to Willingdon Hill and Butts Brow.

Through Friston Forest

I continue through Friston forest making my way towards the white horse on high and over.  I am using OS maps online and GPS to navigate my way through the forest with paths criss crossing all over the place and one patch looking much the same as the last.  Although walking through a forest is pleasant, I not often find a good composition within the chaos.

But my story would not be complete without a photo of the interior of Friston Forest.  I liked the sunlight catching the ferns in the foreground, the horizontal lines of the trunks in the background and the contrast between the brown leafs and green foliage.

White Horse High and Over

Eventually I make my way through Westdean and to the edge of Friston forest where views of the white horse opened up.  Across the road to Wilmington and onto some scrub land to take some photos.

Mission accomplished, catching some contrasting grazing cattle in the mid ground and some Canada geese.  I really wanted to return earlier in the morning closer to Litlington where the sunlight would catch and highlight the white horse.

I made my way back through Friston forest following the white horse view path towards Charleston Bottom. Looking back I had to capture a distance view shot of the white horse.  To not get lost I just needed to follow the paths south and south east using a compass to eventually return to Butchershole carpark.

Congestion

I wanted to return to this part of east sussex and get some better shots of the white horse with morning directional light.  Using my car I scouted the location via Exceat leading to Cuckmere Haven and then following the road pass Litlington to Wilmington.  A word of warning, after 11AM these roads are badly congested with day trippers.   I found a good viewpoint though at Litlington of the white horse, just needed the right weather now.  In the meantime stopped off at the Giants Rest in Wilmington for a pint.  Sunday afternoon is also a popular time to visit a country pub for a roast dinner, with most tables reserved.