Up early and off with Anton to the village of Little Beeding; near the source of the Ouse River. It is the first of a series of walks we plan to take along the river till we reach the sea at Seaford.

Today the countryside was stunningly beautiful. Spring is well underway now and everything is green and lush and, despite ominously blue clouds, we were followed by sun. Set off boldly barely looking at the guidebook. Soon we were lost in squelchy bootsucking woodland which meant a long detour from our original route.

Really enjoyed it today, however. Felt very relaxed even when lost or walking through a field of bullocks. Worst moments: for Anton was when a dog put its muddy paw on his craghopper trousers, for me was when Anton asked me for the fifteenth time how I could countenance walking without a Tilley hat.

We ended the walk amid archetypical Englishness in the village of Staplefield. We sat outside a pub called The Victory quaffing a quick pint of Harveys before the taxi came to take us away to the railway station. It was sunny and warm, and nearby was the village green and a cricket pitch. There were vintage cars in the car park, and people were being served with big and beautiful steak and kidney puddings which had little Union flags poking from their tops.

Home this afternoon and did talking. To Toby about flying to Toronto to see him on the 17th. Spoke to Mum who said Swiss Chris and Terri had now gone home. Spoke to Remo who'd been in Italy with his sick father for the last few weeks. Also finally got through to Carl, whose birthday it was yesterday, and who says he is recovering well from his heart attack.

Anton in a variety of poses: wasp chewing at the commencement of the walk; walking through an oilseed rape field; and just before things got ultra muddy.