Living in Europe

Ever thought about a weekend in Berlin? We did and we went. What an amazing city. I feel very lucky that I live in Europe where you can just hop on a plane and within a couple of hours you can be at any of the wonderful, historical European cities. Read the Walk and Travel Berlin Travel Review.

I do keep thinking how lovely it would be to live in Australia or New Zealand, where there is a lot less people, much more open space, warmer weather, but you just can't hop on a plane and literally within a hour you are experiencing something totally new. A new culture, a new way of life, new, food, new language and at the moment new money!

Some people have their favourite European city, but I find this very hard to decide upon. There are so many of them and they are so beautiful in their own ways. Each one giving you something different at each turn. I managed to see a fair number of them on that age old tradition for young people called Inter Railing, where you get a month long train permit and cram in as much adventure as you possible can - seeing as many of the 30 countries that you can now visit and for only £145.

I can't remember how many we visited, but it was full of fun and adventure, from being robbed and locked up in Morocco to being thrown off a train in Baden Baden (we didn't know it's historical significance back then) to standing up on an overnight train to Amsterdam - and still managing to fall asleep!

Not sure what the next European destination will be - there are so many to choose from and we now have a little baby in tow. Good job we now have a baby backpack. Having just watched Vicky Christina Barcelona, Barcelona is high up on the list, but hey, I'm sure it will be a fantastic trip where ever we go.

Child Carriers and Devils Dyke

What a glorious day, the sun was shining and some friends had just moved to Poynings. For those of you who don't know Poynings, it nestles in the lee of the fine hills that forms the South Downs National Park. Putting two and two together we gave them a ring and headed down to look at their new house and get a stroll on the South Downs.

There was another opportunity here as well. Jack, our baby was now just over 6 months old, and ready for his first trip up the hills in his baby backpack. The baby backpack of choice was a Vaude Swing Child Carrier. I'd not used one before, nor had I actually adjusted it, before we went out, to fit me -not to worry though, this can be done on the hoof. Jack is a very patient baby when it comes to his fathers inability to organise things.

Our friends Mark and Liz have a cute little cottage in the middle of the village, about a 2 minute walk from the Royal Oak pub, which suits them well. I would like to say that within a 2 minute walk you are out their front door and up on the South Downs, but I really do think it is quicker than that.

It was time for Jack to saddle up and for us to get our walking boots on. The baby backpack was quick and easy to adjust, a simple tweak of the buckle that holds the seat in place and Jack could get perfect views of the back of my head. A quick tug on the straps of the rucksack back system and the baby backpack was perfectly fitted. Sadly jack wasn't too keen on being put in, hoisted up, hoisted down taken out, and going through this three times. Patient he his but I think I was pushing my luck. On the last attempt all was well and we off we went, Jack as happy as a happy baby can be. It was new and exciting for him, he was 6ft tall and loving it!

We walked round the back of their house and across a very muddy field taking pictures of chickens and old tractors and followed the path up through the chasm that the Devil dug out in his bid to flood the Sussex Weald. Mark was already genning up on his local history and informed me that this used to be a play ground for the Victorians. In all my years of coming to the South Downs and walking in this area I didn't know. It is great the things you find out about your local area when you are doorstep travelling.

Across the chasm the Victorians strung a wire bridge and the ladies that dared to cross would drop stones 80m to the valley floor below. You can still see the brick remains of the pillars that held the bridge up. The baby backpack was comfy and we traipsed up to the Devils Dyke pub. Now if you have been there, you may agree that this is a little bit of a sight for sore eyes -but a welcome stop off point for a hot pudding and a pint of Ale. I'm sure the Victorians would have had something a little better up here.

Fed and watered (well, aled) we headed off for the return walk. The views across the Weald were amazing, you could easily see the Hogs Back and Leith Hill way across in the Surrey Hills. This has to be one of my favourite views - across the Weald and along the steep wavy escarpment that makes up the northern slopes of the South Downs.

On the walk back down we passed the point where the old Victorian Railway climbed up the South Downs reducing the need for walking. Apparently the railway didn't make any money and within 10 years it had been dismantled, which is a shame, it would have been fun having a railway taking people to the top of Devils Dyke.

Back down and Jack out the baby backpack, we had a lovely few hours strolling around the delightful South Downs. The baby backpack was a success, Jack had about 30 minutes sleep in it on the way back (must have been the pudding and Ale in the pub!) and I found it perfectly comfortable for a three hour walk. And the history of Devils Dyke? Well, I only knew the legend of the Devil, it was great to find out some of the history of places on your doorstep.