Ebble at Faulston

The River Ebble beside Faulston House.

River Ebble

 

It's been quite a while since we've walked the chase, May of 2023 in fact, and it was good to be back in archetypal England, a region of chalk hills and chalk streams. The latter a rare beast indeed. They reckon there's only about 200 chalk streams in the world, and 160 of those are in South and East England. One is the beautiful crystal clear River Ebble which runs through the Chalke Valley. This morning we crossed the icey cold Ebble via a clapper bridge at Fifield Bavant, a manor mentioned in the 1086 Doomsday Book as Fifehide held by Alvred of Marleborough. On its' way to join the River Avon, the Ebble quietly rushed through the valley.

The Ebble

What a glorious sight, one of the many treats of chalk downland walking, their crystal clear chalk streams. There are only around 200 chalk streams on Earth, on Earth!, and 85% of them are found in southern and eastern England...how cool is that, and how blessed to live in said region. It's easy to understand why our ancestors held rivers, streams and wet places in such reverence; they embody life. What's not so cool is that so many of these priceless chalk streams are in a bad way; thankfully though the Ebble is not one them and radiates a real 'waters of life' vibe. Quite mesmerizing.

Ebble

There's nothing like a chalk stream, crystal clear waters which are always refreshingly cold and teaming with life.  The river Ebble is one such stream. Running through the Chalk Valley, the Ebble's always a pleasure to stroll along, its banks as filled life as its waters.