Yew two

Children of Mine are in here somewhere...

Part of one of the magnificent yew trees at Kingley Vale nature reserve in Sussex. The Family popped over there for a walk in the afternoon sunshine after a late lunch. I say sunshine; it was sunny and warm-ish when we left home - cloudy, grey and a bit chilly when we arrived.

Things got worse. Husband of Mine forgot the rucksack which contained, most importantly, my flask of tea. Children of Mine were ok - they carried their own snacks and drinks. Frustratingly, in the woods, there were many idyllic logs on which to perch and drink a cuppa - if only I had one with me. Note to self. Be responsible for own rucksack and cuppa at all times.

Next, Son of Mine severed scratched the back of his neck on a wayward branch whilst jumping down from a tree. This was followed by Daughter of Mine falling from another tree, scraping her leg and 'pinging' something in the back of her knee which led to the walk being cut short, and Husband of Mine giving her a piggy-back for the mile or so walk back to the car.

The yew trees at Kingley Vale are some of the oldest in the world; reported to be over 500 years old (or even over 2000 years old, according to some sources). There are numerous legends that surround the site, including that the yew forest was planted in AD859 to commemorate a battle fought and won against the Vikings.

At the top of the valley, Bow Hill (which we shall get to again another day!) is the site of ancient Bronze Age burial mounds, nicknamed The Devil's Humps. Apparently running round the humps seven times after dark will conjure up the Devil! One to try next visit then...