tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post5351359063040159530..comments2024-03-28T11:16:38.801+00:00Comments on SWC - This Week's Walks: Saturday walk - Classic coast with a new inland finishAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11395064086819994526noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-19009009878808625282017-03-18T22:26:09.357+00:002017-03-18T22:26:09.357+00:00N=12 on this walk, including one late starter who ...N=12 on this walk, including one late starter who caught up with us at lunch. The weather was w=very-windy, though that does not tell the whole story. There was even some sun on the seafront in Eastbourne, raising hopes that the weather might be better than forecast. Cloud soon took over, but it was still not that unpleasant as we walked along the coast towards Beachy Head. The main irritation was some kind of endurance race in the opposite direction: do ALL these events have to be on the South Downs Way?<br /><br />It was once up on Beachy Head the fun started. It was misty and there was a howling gale blowing from the west, straight into our faces. After a cosy lunch in the pub, we had to walk into this all the way to Birling Gap. <br /><br />The mist did clear as we got lower, however, and there were reasonable views. The seas at Birling Gap were tremendous with two metre high waves. There was again a bit of brightness here, even sunshine. The tea room provided welcome shelter from the wind. <br /><br />We then turned with relief inland (no talk of going over the Seven Sisters!) to East Dean, which was more sheltered. Two of us had a second tea at the deserted Hiker's Rest tea room. <br /><br />Several then got the bus to Eastbourne. Five carried on up a sheltered valley and over the windy ridge one more time to Eastbourne. Four had Thai food in the lovely friendly restaurant in the old freight building. They remembered us from February, which shows what strange and unusual customers we must be. <br /><br />We got the18.55 train home well pleased with our outing despite the weather. When I got home I noticed that for the first time this year my boots had no mud on them. Despite appearances to the contrary, spring is here!Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09314024151810191831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-75738232487133731062017-03-17T10:19:28.580+00:002017-03-17T10:19:28.580+00:00Anyone swimming?Anyone swimming?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com