Leaving behind the yellow smog of Hammersmith bypass, the strewn burger king wrappers at Victoria Station and the endless stream of grey enclad bodies.

I found a fantastic room at an air bnb and my bubbly hostess Sam picked me up from the train station and drives me in her sun drenched convertible to my room for the nest 2 nights.

Beautifully wooden floors, covered with large thick rugs, the heart of the house, a sprawling kitchen, pine filled kitchen, my room with a view over countryside gardens and the south downs as a backdrop. A warm, cosy american style quilt covers a single bed.

Firstly I hike up Mill lane, a small brook with fluffy grey signets on my left and hazy fields with bellowing cows on my right. Shaded by large trees, it takes me around 15 minutes to reach the lakes.

Just to the left of this serene, rowing boat scene lies a small mill by the water. Out of bounds and fenced off apart from a mud spattered hike up a ditch to take photos, under the bough of a large tree.

The lakes have multiple walkways through slightly overgrown bracken trails, leading you deeper into the heart of the south downs.

I skipped the hike due to my London uniform of black long maxi and sandals, and oversized sunglasses. Chic possibly but completely out of place here. What was meant to be a short walk to the river was fast becoming a disorganised, dehydrated clamber along country roads.

I decided to hike onwards through the fierce mid day sun to the river and visit the Black rabbit, to sit by the river and have a whisky, bake in the sun and watch the river haze. Then I get a taxi home to recharge for my Arundel castle visit tomorrow!