The Micro-est of Adventures on The South Downs

There’s nothing more liberating than a backpack and no plan. Or in the case of last night, a backpack and a rough plan. A very rough plan. I had promised myself I would do a microadventure – And this is the microest of microadventures. 

The premise was simple – Walk off onto the South Downs, into the darkness and find somewhere to camp, from where I could watch the sun rise over Brighton. I had all I needed; Warm clothes, head torch,  bivvy bag, sleeping bag, some homemade chilli wraps, water, a hip flask full of Jagermeister, and a steely determination to withstand a sudden and unexpected dumping of snow (IN APRIL!!!!!), and the ghosts, vampires, and doggers I had been warned about.

Supplies for the micro-est of microadventures

I have lived in this area of Sussex for the last year, since returning from nearly a year in New Zealand. But, purely down to bone idleness I had yet explored the area. This made navigating the Downs by torch light rather difficult. Navigate rabbit holes – Check. Avoid electric fences – Check. Avoid getting attacked (or nearly attacked) by cows again – Check. Avoid falling down a steep slope – Check. Avoid setting up camp in a bed of stingy nettles – Oh. I got off lightly, my left hand taking the brunt of it. To ease the itching I left my hand dangling out into the cold night through the hole intentionally left open for my mouth and nose (I’m not such a fan of condensation and tend to get a little claustrophobic in a fully zipped bivvy) and set out about getting merry on jager, full on chilli wraps and watching the bright stars of the night sky in between intermittent cloud cover. It was bliss. I slowly nodded off, and aside from the occasional stir (fear of the doggers/vampires/ghosts of course), slept through until sunrise.

A rather blurry view of Brighton

Another view from my night's 'bed'

I woke, cleared camp, and sat down on Maria (my backpack), sipping water, waiting for that elusive bright orange glow in the east to take over from the bright crescent moon which had accompanied me all night long. I wasn’t disappointed. There’s something greatly invigorating about welcoming in the sun on a crisp spring (Who am I trying to kid? It’s still winter!) morning. I surveyed the scene and imagined everyone waking up for a day of work after a cosy night in bed. They may have been less tired than I was, but I doubt they were as invigorated as I was.

And so I made the 2hour walk back home, avoiding all of last night’s hazards and made it home in time for breakfast. Pan au chocolate and orange juice accompanied by The Naked and Famous on the stereo– Just what the doctor ordered!

Until next time (With better photos, I promise) :)