A Beautiful Sussex walk from Exceat to Friston Forest, Charleston Bottom, Litlington and Cuckmere river: featuring Broad-leaved Helleborines and Red-shanked Carder Bee.

 From Exceat car park, the view en route  to East Dean is very fine.

 Kneeling to photograph this tall Broad-leaved Helleborine, it was quickly apparent that I was kneeling on an ants' nest.

 This really made my day: a specimen to add to my talk at http://www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk/orchids.html

 Leaving the forest to walk along Charleston Bottom, Common blue butterflies lived up to their name.

 Above and below the view to the White Horse cut into the chalk.  Charleston Bottom is not much walked compared to say the constant procession along the Seven Sisters cliff path.  The sense of tranquility is refreshing.

 This walk passes below it on the river bank.

Common blue

Red Admiral

 The view back from The South Downs Way.

Wall

Wall

Red-shanked Carder Bee

Common Sandpiper

The effect of cattle grazing is amazing; every green thing eaten on the shoreline.

For the striking variety of habitats and good exercise, this c. seven - eight miles walk took me just over four hours on Thursday 4th August 2016 including a quick picnic and photo' shoots.