A frosty sunrise at Rock-a-Nore car park in Hastings Old Town shared with a few hardy souls. One woman drags her ageing father out to view it for the first time, despite having lived here for years. He laughs. Everyone is keen to chat, sharing the experience.
Steep alley steps lead up East Hill to Hastings Country Park, where a network of paths runs through pretty woodland. Dog walkers on grassy slopes wisely avoid the sucking mud tracks leading down through the glens. I have those to myself.
In Fairlight Glen, I find the route down the cliff I failed to reach last week, although it is not very inviting.
The path is slippery but well-maintained, with steps and ropes where needed. I decline to dress down for the occasion.
The naturist beach is in a lovely bay, complete with campfire spots.
The sun is out and this is a perfect spot for a late breakfast, as I have the place to myself.
Despite the high tide, my map suggests a small gap between the high water mark and the sandstone cliffs. Rather than re-trace my steps to Hastings, I attempt the beach route. Walking over shingle turns to clambering over boulders, with a little sea spray to cool me down. The gap on the map is an illusion, and I don’t fancy a swim, so head back to Fairlight Glen.
Barley Lane offers an easier route back to Hastings after a morning of mud, shingle and rocks.
Fishing boats are landing on The Stade, home to Britain’s biggest beach-launched fishing fleet.
Exploring some old streets just off the sea-front, I discover an interesting chess match.
The shingle beach hosts a Norman longboat sculpture by Leigh Dyer. It contains a buried time capsule of letters from local people to be opened in 2066 on the 1,000th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.
I am, as usual, behind schedule. I planned to walk to Bexhill-on-Sea along the promenade and return to Hastings via Combe Country Park. It’s too late for the latter so it’s a rather grim head-down walk along the concrete to Bexhill-on-Sea and back again. Hastings Pier is my sole photograph during eight miles of walking. It’s been a day of contrasting halves.
Walk distance: 16 miles.
Total distance: 203 miles.
As always – good pics reflecting another interesting day – an some poetic narrative. Is there a book in the offing?
Happy New Year Peter. I fear there is only so much one can say about sunrises and shingle!
Oh I can say a lot about shingle, but nothing that should be printed!
Nice pictures Tony, that one of the sea spray is fantastic đź‘Ť
Thanks. I got a little too close to the waves for that one. A spot of hiking with wet socks.