The Temple Of The Winds, Black Down

Black Down, at over 900ft is the highest point in West Sussex and the wettest in the Weald! At least it was dry when I was there late this morning but not after I returned to Haslemere. I had only enough for an hour on the parking and the rain began so I went home and then it was sunny by later in the day - very annoying! Black Down was given to the National Trust in 1944 by W E Hunter and there are many acres of open heath and pines to explore.

At the end of the main path going south is the Temple Of The Winds. This is a circular stone bench and viewing table created as a memorial to the donor of the land to the NT. The views across to the South Downs are superb, even in the overcast conditions of today. It is a popular resting place for walkers and visitors. Alfred Lord Tennyson, the poet lived at a nearby house called Aldworth and he seems to have erected a summerhouse here to take advantage of the view.

The name of this spot puts me in mind of the book I am just finishing at the moment - Wizard's First Rule. A later book I have not yet read is entitled Temple Of The Winds and is about the fourth book in the Sword Of Truth fantasy series by American author, Terry Goodkind. It will take far too long to explain all about these books but any reader who is familiar with them will be familiar with the two main characters Richard Cypher, The Seeker and the beautiful Kahlen Amnell, The Mother Confessor. The scenery of Black Down seemed very appropriate, as both these characters spend a lot of time in similar countryside in their quests to rid their world of evil. It was easy to imagine Richard, with his sword at his side and Kahlen in her white Confessor's dress flowing behind her as they made their way to put things right!