Good Walk.... wrong part of the day

Sitting in the car park of the Golden Galleon watching the intermittent wiper blades clear the rain, we waited for the other 2 of our group and considered alternative options to walking...  any local all day breakfast venues?
There had been an early fog which, as we'd driven to our meeting place, cleared and sunshine caused the visors to be employed at stages of the journey, however as we dressed according to the forecast, the rain clouds were closing in again.

Our aim was to ascend to Seaford Head and observe the Seven Sisters cliff formation from the west, rather than the usual Birling Gap observation angle.
We set off but soon warmed up despite the increasing wind which, by the time we'd walked to the end of Chyngton Lane, had caused the waterproof trousers to be applied in order to survive the ascent to the summit of Seaford Head via the car park where dog walkers were bravely encountering the strong gusts of southerly wind. The rain at this point was lashing across our faces and made conversation a treacherous activity.

We dodged our way across the fairway of one of the holes on the golf course and turned east which allowed the wind to hit our backs. The Cliff edge only metres away, it was only the brave-hearted vertigo immune people who were tempted to see the drop below.

The hazy view of the Seven Sisters came into focus and a steady descent into the valley named as 'Hope Gap' awaited a brief stop as we observed the effect of the storms of the last month or more.

Newly broken chalk segments were scattered across the shoreline.
The quintessential calendar shot came into view as we rose above the nearby cottages that feature in numerous shots of the Seven Sisters cliffs.
The rain had eased off for a good half hour now, and there were signs of clouds breaking up on the far horizon. The final stretch back to the car park however meant some strategic moves were required.  The recent rainfall had turned the footpath into nothing less than a muddy tracks where the work of a large tractor had caused deep rain filled ruts to add to the slippery trek.
The Canadian Geese watched us from a safe distance as did other colourfully marked birds (the identity of which escaped our knowledge base for the moment).

We noted a sign for those less able to identify sheep, and wondered why they couldn't provide similar signs to help identify the birds.

A 2 hour walk of around 4.5 miles had caused a thirst that needed quenching. Dehydration being the enemy of any serious hiker, we quickly considered the benefits of a drink at the pub who's car park we had based ourselves in. It seemed only fair, although it appeared to be a pub that was more interested in providing food, that the ability to serve beer. We left the pub with the sun blazing down and the blue sky backdrop to the distant hills. It was definitely as case of walking at the wrong time of day, and will need to take more notice of the weather forecast in future.

A Windy Firle Beacon!

We were determined to set a few challenges for 2014, and this may have been a good start.
3 intrepid members of the group had, the previous week, been out for a scouting walk across from Butts Brow.
This week the 4 of us decided that the weather shouldn't put us off too much, however with concerns about just how much some footpaths may have encountered the excessive wrath of rainfall over the previous few weeks, we decided to meet on the hill overlooking Firle.
All four of us were dressed in waterproofs, gloves and an array of hat-gear that left us feeling both fashionable and equipped for whatever the elements had to throw at us. The boots were laced tightly and we headed off....
Having said that, we did opt to walk away from the 20mph gusting wind and head east along the South Downs Way.

A high level of concentration was necessary as the wind started to take a side swipe across our faces. The rain was just starting to come down to accompany the wind... but we continued through the first mile across the top of the hill.

We then reached the Bo-Peep car park and decided to descend down the road. Immediately the wind dropped and we loosened the wrap of garments that were keeping us warm. We reached the old Coach Road and turned along it in a westerly direction.
The pace was maintained, however the occasional distraction of unidentified birds (of prey?) soared across nearby fields and accompanied by even more unidentified bird song. The nature spotting continued as we then observed a well fed fox pounding a furrow in another field. A little later we encountered some rather ambitious dogs who attempted to ambush our attempt to walk further. We had thankfully assessed that their bark was far more ferocious than anything that we should have been too bothered about.
The Coach Road had taken its toll of the recent rainfall and the muddy tracks left by triumphant 4x4's caused us to find an alternative way through the the final section of the walk.
A lone dog walker approached us as we took a 10 minute snack break. One dog was proudly showing off a rabbit within its jaws, much to the embarrassment of its owner, whilst the second dog showed a fearful dislike to walk passed us, despite the desperate calls of the owner. Eventually the dogs and owner were re-united, whilst we discussed first-aid procedures should any of us drop to our knees with indications of heart failure. It was pleasing to hear us discuss such aspects of our adventures. I will in future be adding the 'coast guard' and 'air-sea rescue' service numbers to my mobile.

The ascent back up the hill was steady and, as expected, the usual challenge which we paced ourselves for. As we reached the summit, our coats, gloves and hats were replaced as the wind started to hit us full in the face.
The final half mile stretch back to the car park was interrupted by a short, sharp and somewhat stinging heavy downpour. The gate into the carpark was a welcome sight, just as the rain stopped and watched the blackened rain filled sky disappear north.