Hook Lane, Bosham, Sussex.

A farmer makes a channel to drain a pool of rainwater in the track with the heel of his boot. “You’ve chosen a good day for walking” he says, the rain streaking down his face. “You know where you’re going, got a map?”. Unsure wether this comment comes from friendly concern or the suspicion of trespassing, I assure him I have both map and will keep off his land.

Beech Bin, Bosham Hoe, Sussex.

A row of traditional thatched cottages. Outside one a Sussex Police notice requesting information on the murder of a woman called Valerie Graves. I subsequently learn she was killed in one of these houses with a claw hammer.

A change of values, Bosham Hoe, Sussex.

Three swans glide in the rain pocked channel, Chichester cathedral misty behind. Flocks of birds arise at intervals and on land pheasants run busily across the lane.

RNLI Selsey Lifeboat Station, Sussex.

Are you the photographer that photographs life boat stations? asks a dog walker. You see my daughter is a photographer and she wrote to the man photographing all the Life Boat stations as this one is about to get pulled down.

I had to disappoint that sometimes I photograph other things but was interested to learn that this landmark of the coast would soon be a memory. It’s very much working today and a sturdy man pushes a trolley of life vests along the gangway.

Boat sliders, Selsey, Sussex.

Terrace, Selsey, Sussex.

Playground, Selsey Bill, Sussex.

A group of birdwatchers stand grimly in the blustery wind, their scopes trained on a featureless grey sea. Are there any female bird watchers?

Jogger, Selsey Bill, Sussex.

Rounding Selsey Bill a spot of sun picks out white cliffs on the Isle of Wight, I’m excited as the…

Eastbourne from Beachy Head and the start of the South Downs Way, Sussex

Early morning the bandstand is silent with turquoise dome and silver spire. Benches surrounded by half eaten fish and chip wrappers from Eastbourne’s Saturday night out. I share the elegant promenade with rollerbladers in neon pink bikini’s, tanned retirees in pastel cottons and middle aged men speed walking while looking repeatedly at their watch with a serious expression.

Chalk sea cliff at Beachy Head which rise to 162m, Sussex,

Two swimmers far out at sea powerfully crawl towards the towering white cliffs of Beachy Head. Start of the South Downs way and a steep climb up. Humming of crickets matches the euphoric elevated feeling of this path like flying above the sea.

Samaritans Helpline at Beachy head, the UK’s most popular suicide spot, Sussex.

Indications of tragedy start to punctuate the landscape: first a Samaritan signs, then…

Beach hut with red roof, Rye Harbour, Sussex.

Overheard on the train from London, “Mum, stay off the vodkas this time – remember when we went to Birmingham and booked that nice Italian restaurant and you were too pissed to go. Let’s just get a kebab and go home Nana” The whole family laughed.

Rye DIY. Ancient, narrow winding alleyways. Chinese man photographs his wife in front of the picturesque timber framed Mermaid Pub in various contrived poses.

Distant camber sands full of humanity like a Lowry vista. Find myself smiling when back on the beach – cliffs of Hastings at the horizon.

It’s hot and I drink water voraciously sitting on a cliff top throne carved from a tree stump shaded under an oak tree. Sounds of the waves and squealing children. Coast zig zags to a line of wind turbines and in the far distance Dungeness power station.

Past a row…