Ashdown Sundown

As the sun sinks low,
Mystery walks ancient paths,
Reclaimed by shadows.

Such a gorgeous day a good sunset seemed likely, so I went for a walk on the Ashdown Forest to capture it.

The forest is an ancient area of heathland with evidence of human occupation dating back to the Bronze age. It was used as a hunting ground as far back as the Norman conquest and was famously where HenryVIII hunted while courting Ann Boleyn at nearby Hever Castle. It was also common land and locals were allowed to graze their animals and collect firewood and bracken and heather for bedding.

In Roman times the Ashdown forest was at the centre of the iron industry, and again in medieval times and in 1496 England's first blast furnace was built in this area. The first iron cannon in England was cast by Ralf Hogge in 1543 at nearby Buxted (which is where I live). All this resulted in most of the trees being cut down for charcoal for the furnaces, which meant the forest returned to heathland of mainly heather, bracken and gorse, with scots pine and silver birch trees.

Perhaps the Forests most famous 'resident' was Winnie the Pooh. AA Milne lived near Hartfield and the Pooh stories are all set on the Forest near there. Perhaps I'll go and photograph some of those views one day .... you would instantly recognise them from EH Shepherds wonderful illustrations.

Some of the hilltops of the Forest are planted with dense groups of Scots Pine ... originally these were planted to provide a habitat for the black grouse, some have been planted latterly to commemorate specific events. The one in the picture is Friends Clump which was planted in 1973 to commemorate the Year of the Tree (according to Wikipedia!)

Now the Forest is a conservation area. Sheep and cattle are still grazed here. People walk and ride the ancient tracks and paths. Children (of all ages) explore Pooh's "Hundred Acre wood" and play Poohsticks. It's a very special place and I am very lucky to have it on my doorstep.

Took quite a few pictures, but chose this because of the silhouette of the tree - more here.