12th September 2006

Dear Valerie,

...... Your website is so fascinating that I keep coming back to it to explore all the stories and pictures you have collected. I have to congratulate you on what a fantastic job you have done - and are still doing.  I have another little anecdote to share with you. I have to get it in words while it's still in my head.

This took place back in the summer of 1976, which you may remember was one of the hottest and driest summers on record.

One day I decided to hike to Chanctonbury Ring. From my home in Broadwater this trip - there and back - would be almost ten miles (I've just checked this on my OS map).

After finishing my paper round Sally and I set off. It was still fairly early in the day but the sun was already baking hot.

Reaching Cissbury Ring was a piece of cake and undaunted by the heat we marched onwards.

We got to Chanctonbury before noon and enjoyed the cool shade under the great beeches. It was a bit strange that we had not seen a single soul all along our way - the Downs were obviously deserted because of the extreme heat. Under the trees I ate my strawberry jam sandwiches and polished off my small thermos of tea (even in the hottest weather I loved a steaming mug of tea - something that has lasted to this day). Sally watched me enviously, her tongue wobbling and drooling thirstily. It was then I realised my stupid mistake. I had not brought any water for her. She was obviously very dehydrated and I became worried. I cooled the remaining drop of tea and gave her that but that clearly made no difference.

We had a long and lonely trek ahead of us in the desert-like heat of the day. Nervously I led the way back, watching Sally all the time. She soon started to lag behind and so I walked more slowly. About half way between the two Rings she decided she needed a rest and flopped in the grassy shade beside the path. I sat next to her overwhelmed with worry. She was panting rapidly and looked completely exhausted. I too felt a bit dizzy and longed for a drink to wash the chalk dust out of my throat.

We both stayed there for what seemed ages - I was not going to risk forcing my dog to walk another inch. But I had no idea what to do.

Suddenly I heard a tractor coming along the path and as it rumbled past the driver looked down at me and then Sally.   Immediately the man turned off the noisy engine and before I could open my mouth said

"Your dog need water lad?"    "Yes please".

Then he reached around and produced a bucket half filled with beautiful clear water. Sally rose on wobbly legs and gulped.........and gulped........and gulped. As her tail wagged gleefully she must have drank a whole gallon. A final belch finished the job.

It seemed a miracle that this man came by when he did. We made it home safely and Sally slept for 16 hours. The irony was that there was a farm not far away from where I was stranded - but I didn't know that at the time.

Andrew.

Andrew Miles, Guelph,
Ontario, Canada.