Two runners set out from the low floodplain of the river Ouse up four chalk brows — a single lane road to Telscombe Tye reservoir, tracks skirting the fields of Saltdean dip and up to Pickers Hill, windswept grassland to the smock mill at Beacon Hill, and finally past a decidedly orderly Ovingdean Hall Farm through East Brighton Golf course, dropping into (currently sheep-free) Sheepcote valley and to The George where foaming pints awaited.

History was found in the middle — a bomb crater, the knapped flint- faced obelisks of Kipling’s walled gardens, a local croquet lawn, and two dear ancient volunteers opened the doors of the Grange museum for us - just across from where Kipling quilled his imaginative tales of Lamarckian adaptation in the Just So Stories.

Stimulated good chats of travels, spreading the English language and noble endeavours on a bright if chilly Sunday.

This evening, Doug, Amanda and I headed over to One Church to lend a hand with preparations for tomorrow’s lunch for people experiencing homelessness.

We were welcomed by Stephan, who was incredibly organised and had everything ready for us. Our task list was clear: chopping carrots, potatoes, apples and pumpkins – plenty to keep our hands busy while the conversation flowed.

And what conversations they were! The four of us covered so much ground – from travels to Japan, to memories of the Covid days, volunteering, the realities of homelessness and the weight it places on someone’s life, to workplace bullying and ways to tackle it, the rise of AI and how it’s shaping our daily lives – and plenty more in between.

Two hours slipped by quickly, filled with chopping, chatting, and laughter. As we wrapped up and said our goodbyes, we all left feeling just that little bit better than when we walked in.