The centrepiece of our UK trip was a weekend at Wilmington Priory, a stunning 12th-century monk’s house in rural Sussex, just at the foot of the ancient Long Man chalk figure.
It was truly a fantastic place to lord it over for a weekend – full of ruins, mysterious rooms, a huge farmhouse kitchen and chilly bathrooms. Our visit coincided with the start of Britain’s extended cold snap – but who could complain about this sprinkling of snow?
The first guests to arrive were Jean and John, and their mischievous minxes, Alessia and Marnie. Next up were Jess and Nico, struggling to find the Priory in the pitch darkness after being abandoned by a taxi driver scared of ice!
On the agenda – walks, talks, food and wine. Saturday dawned bright, crisp and cold – a glorious day to hike over the hills.
Here we are on a low peak, following the South Downs Way on the way to Jevington and the Eights Bells Inn.
Check out Karen’s figure skating form. Someone should be heading up to Vancouver next month…
Alex, Aimee and Jo joined us later in the day – and seemed surprisingly tolerant of our all-American Batter Blaster ‘pancakes’ from a squirty can. Or is that a grimace on Alex’s face?
Sunday saw more sledding (until Alex shattered his collarbone attempting a first ever snow-boarding descent of the Long Man on a home-made board. Well, plank, to be more accurate), then a walk out to The George in Alfriston. Luckily, Alex had Aimee’s delicious Christmas cake to cheer him up…
We were sorry to leave the Priory on the Monday – it really felt like a slice of olde Christmas, and it was fun to reconnect with the joys of the English countryside.
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