COACH TRIP TO EASTBOURNE 22^nd JULY 2008

Although the morning was overcast the forecast was promising as the coach left at 7.30 a.m. for Eastbourne. There were three options for the walk; either to walk the whole distance or to take one of two opportunities to catch a bus into Eastbourne along the way. All the walkers started together from the Seven Sisters Country Park and were soon heading for the sea and the Seven Sisters, which are actually the valleys – there are eight hills to climb! As seems to be the norm on our trips the sun came out and shone all day. The walk followed the cliff edge to Beachy Head, with the faint hearted avoiding going too near the edge as the wind was very strong. The first stop for some was the Birling Gap pub, which was also where the first bus stop was to go into Eastbourne or on to Beachy Head. The second stage of the walk passed Belle Tout which was used as a lighthouse until 1902 and was also the location for the Live and Loves of a She-Devil, a BBC mini series some years ago, and also featured in the James Bond film The Living Daylights. It has actually been moved 17 metres back from the cliff edge by a remarkable feat of engineering because of cliff erosion. At Beachy Head there was also an opportunity for a stop for some and to catch a bus into Eastbourne.

The entire walk followed the South Downs trail with some fantastic views of the white cliffs and the sea. There were many people enjoying the walk and even some playing golf against the wind along the footpath, apparently the latest extreme sport! Eastbourne has a pier and a long seafront with a shingle beach where it was very pleasant to sit and enjoy the traditional fish and chips or ice cream. The bus had a ten minute time slot to pick us up and we were all ready for the long drive home.

I think this was one of the best of our seaside trips; Ian had done his usual great job of providing a route description, potted history of the things to see on the walk and a good pub to meet up in at the end.

The next coach trip is 14^th September and booking will open at the beginning of August!

PS How many walkers saw the amazing pink and turquoise cloud formation along the route? I hope that those who took photos were successful as it was a very unusual phenomenon.

Alison