Eastbourne is a little more familiar now, and I arrive early enough to park next to the start of the South Downs Way, although our paths quickly diverge as I climb up the first of many hills along the iconic […]
Day 15: Eastbourne to Seaford Read More »
I tell Jude I’m walking to Eastbourne. “Are you staying there?” A little uncharitable — I only turn 60 this year. The weather is foul. A biting wind in my face and a constant drizzle that seeps through my layers.
Day 14: Bexhill-on-Sea to Eastbourne Read More »
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
Day 13: Fairlight Cove to Bexhill-on-Sea Read More »
The Rye to Hastings section requires planning to avoid using public transport, splitting the hike into two loops that intersect at Fairlight Cove — this week from Rye and next week from Hastings. I plan to follow the shoreline to
Day 12: Rye to Fairlight Cove Read More »
An early drive to Rye in the dark — with thanks to Google Maps for diverting me down narrow country lanes — finds me waiting anxiously for the first bus to The Pilot Inn, my jumping-off point to walk back
Day 11: Dungeness to Rye Read More »
I drive down to Hythe before sunrise, keen to get to Dungeness in plenty of time to explore before darkness descends. Unfortunately, I’m trapped in a long tailback of lorries for the Channel Tunnel exit due to my junction being
Day 10: Hythe to Dungeness Read More »
Leaving Dover on a bitterly cold December morning, we warm up with a steep climb to the Western Heights and explore The Drop Redoubt (1804), part of the extensive defences to protect the port against a French invasion. Although the
Day 9: Dover to Hythe Read More »
It’s farewell to the North Sea as I pick my way around the fishing boats, nets and equipment stacked along the beach at Deal. The English Channel will be my companion for the next few months. The sunrise struggles to
Day 8: Deal to Dover Read More »
It’s a beautiful, warm morning as we stroll past hundreds of boats moored in Ramsgate Marina, a gleaming mix of vibrant colours. My wife, Jude, has joined me, and we will spend most of the day circling the Sandwich and
Day 7: Ramsgate to Deal Read More »
Today marks a change of plans. The Saxon Shore Way heads inland. Given my new ambition to walk the entire coastline of Britain (don’t laugh), I’m taking the Viking Coastal Trail and rejoining the Saxon Shore Way at Sandwich. There
Day 6: Herne Bay to Ramsgate Read More »