As the weather gradually starts to improve, we're getting into a bit of habit of going out for a wander on a Monday afternoon. It's not every week but, it's been 3 times in the last 4.
We tend to look at the weather and if it looks dry and sunny, try and find somewhere different to walk.
Last week we wandered (slogged, in my case) to East Dean, a couple of weeks ago I was keen to take a look at Bishopstone Station. Yesterday I thought it might be fun to go to Cuckmere Haven. My memory of it was a firm, flat, made path so even the recent rain shouldn't have made that difficult walking, should it?
The path was listed as about 1.2 miles from bus stop to beach so I figured that if we started the walk around 2.45 we could be back on the bus just after 4pm or so and head on into Brighton.
I miscalculated. A lot.
Sure, the first half mile of the path was paved and easy walking but things got trickier as we went further. First chalky clay slop, and then a bit of the old river course completely running across the path - too deep to tiptoe through.
We diverted way from the main river run which was initially easier walking but, again, as we got nearer the sea it got boggier, muddier and harder going.
A chap walking a few yards in front of us slipped over in a combination of mud and a boggy area. We picked our way really carefully but still wanted to get to the beach (for reasons that are largely beyond me).
A couple of very hairy moments where I could have opted to turn back, but didn't, led us to the shingle beach. And yeah, walking on shingle is no picnic, either.
The walk back was similarly challenging even though we thought we'd be able to avoid the worst of it. By the time we got back to the bus stop, it was about 4.45pm. We decided it was too late to sit on the bus for an hour so made a truncated journey to Steamworks in Seaford instead. One really great pint (and only £3.50) and one OK pint left us refreshed and ready to go home.
All in all, a really nice afternoon out - even though it wasn't quite what we had in mind. Still, embrace flexibility, eh?
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