COACH TRIP TO
EASTBOURNE 22nd 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 14th 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