by Malinka van der Gaauw | Oct 25, 2023 | Walk & Talk
While walking the South Downs Way last year, I came across the much-photographed pond near Ditchling Beacon. With its lone tree, almost symmetrical shape and expansive view from high on the ridge, I too was compelled to take its photo. However, I was also drawn to... 
by Malinka van der Gaauw | Sep 25, 2023 | Walk & Talk
Back in May, The Guardian ran a headline that read “Excessive foraging for wild garlic and mushrooms in UK ‘a risk to wildlife’”. The article spoke about nature’s larder, a finite resource, being depleted by forager’s taking too much, selling the goods commercially... 
by Malinka van der Gaauw | Sep 11, 2023 | Walk & Talk
The Trundle above Chichester does views. 365 views over the city, the coastal plain and its numerous channels, Goodwood and the Lavant valley, the South Downs, Kingley Vale and even as far afield as Blackdown. I’ve been up there a couple of times on clear days to... 
by Malinka van der Gaauw | Jul 11, 2023 | Walk & Talk
If you thought these articles were only of value to walkers, then think again. While researching this piece about geology it occurred to me that the subject might also be of interest to scrabble players. My companion on this walk and talk was local geologist Maurice... 
by Malinka van der Gaauw | Jun 26, 2023 | Nature & Conservation, Walk & Talk
I wouldn’t describe myself as overly competitive. Yes, I like to strategise when playing board games, but if the cards or dice are against me, I don’t get upset about losing. However, take me back to my annual school and village sports days and it is a very different... 
by Malinka van der Gaauw | Jun 12, 2023 | Walk & Talk
Walks and talks, as the name suggests, are supposed to include some physical walking. However, as time was short, my recent chat with Caroline Douglas was over lunch at Durleighmarsh Tea Barn instead of outdoors. We did nevertheless talk about walking, amongst other...