The sun swaddled us in a good spirit to march across the top of the hill, passing the trig point and beyond. Lambing season was in full swing, and there was clear evidence of the growing stock during this walk. The ground was relatively dry, despite some recent rainfall. At least our boots would not require too much cleaning, we hoped, providing we avoided such hazards as previous walkers had done.
The sky remained blue and the sunshine was bright. The first time sunglasses had been used for some considerable time. We turned through the third gate and Belle Tout lighthouse came into clear view on the coastline horizon.
The pace was steady across the next field where sheep had eaten well and left a carpet of faded green pile. The residents of East Dean houses came into view and were soon descending down one of the main arteries where smartly manicured gardens were showing the effects of the winter month's. One resident was having a new retaining wall built. The two unlikely but perhaps aptly named "unique" builders were firing up the cement mixer in order to attach a pile of flint to a breezeblock and brick wall.
Conversation distracted us for limited periods as cars weaved their way up and down the hill around us. We were soon on the main road and dodging the traffic in order to cross and make the final few steps toward the 'squeeze gate' and on to the Market.
There were only a few stalls... thankfully the Ugly Baking Company were in position alongside the fish van and the Fruit & Veg stall.
Precious few other stands were attracting little customers, despite the car park being very active.
We paraded to the village green seat to rest a while and open our flasks. The scene looked particularly fitting as every time we reach this point in our walks through East Dean to sit down and watch village life, the sun is shining and reminded how quintessential this view is.
The footpath went alongside one of the barns as people were looking into the pens and watching the tractor providing rides across the fields for pre-school children and their parents (or maybe grandparents?).
The next few well made gates were opened and closed with ease as we headed closer to the lighthouse.
But our route soon headed us in the direction of Beachy Head before we reached the road which led to the lighthouse. The old farmhouse looked tired and almost uninhabited. The last time we passed this way, there had been a dead cow laying in the corner of the field. This time there were a herd of young cattle looking healthy and eating well. They gave us curious examination as we walked close by to some of them, but never gave threat to our need to walk through the field.
There was a long and at times relentless ascent along the next part of the path until we reached the main road leading up from Old Town toward Beachy Head. There was no traffic, so we quickly crossed over and viewed the vista toward Hastings.
The weather had significantly changed in thr last hour, and the sight of clouds were growing darker toward the north east.
Traversing the next part of the South Downs Way path we encountered the Golf Course, where groups of golfers were about their rounds with the only handicap evident, a large trolley full of golf clubs and the inability to hit the ball straight, as shortly after, we heard the cry of FORE!!
Heads shrunk into our shoulders and hoped that their aim was safe.
With no injuries, we continued along the final familiar phase of our walk. But not before the threat of rain or even hail was presenting itself as we dropped towards the final dew pond upon which ripples from drops of white hail could be seen spreading across the surface.
We didn't stop to observe, but instead hastened the pace as we wanted to complete the walk without having to stop and put on raincoats.
We completed the almost 10 mile walk, some with accompanying blisters having not tackled this distance for some time.
No comments:
Post a Comment