South Downs Way - Day 1

Eastbourne to Alfriston
Distance: 12.7 miles
Ascent: 700m
Weather: rain, drizzly spells, more rain
Bunnies: plenty
Plus squirrels, foxes, geese, swans, stonechats,   interesting bird to yet be id'd (or not, quite possibly), pretend shepherds.

It was slightly odd this morning as we set off to begin the South Downs Way that we were walking down Regents Street and passed Buckingham Palace - having spent the night in London before getting the train from Victoria Station to Eastbourne. It was drizzling slightly as we set off,  and I began to hope that the weather forecast had been wrong. It wasn't.

We made our way to the coast, along slippy stone streets with a seagull eating a sponge, and stopping at a little park to shelter  while we had a quick first lunch and put waterproofs on. Then we headed up on to the cliffs towards Beachy Head. Very impressive cliffs, and a dramatic view down to the crashing waves and lighthouse beneath - followed by a more sombre sight of the little crosses and flowers laid in memory of those who have jumped.

The cliff tops undulate along, grassy and gorse,  and we saw foxes and birds as we went,  plus a few other walkers.

Around the headland at Cuckmere Haven we turned inland through the Seven Sisters country park and along Cuckmere River,  which apparently was much involved in smuggling once upon a time. We didn't see anything suspicious today - although the sheep looked a bit shifty. We had second lunch under some trees at the visitor centre,  and had a look in an old shepherds hut wagon thing, where some people who clearly weren't shepherds were eating their sandwiches.

The path followed a flood defence by the side of the river,  at times quite muddy - and it seems that this is the type of mud that sticks to the bottom of your shoes, which is a nice thought at the beginning of a 280 mile walk.  The weather is supposed to be better tomorrow.

We are now in Ye Olde Smugglers Inn in Alfriston which is very pretty, we have beer (Copper Hop from the local Longman Brewery) and the sun has come out.