10:54:15
Not far out of Eastbourne here - I thought I'd wait until I got into proper countryside before taking photos.10:54:19
Already very hot!10:56:33
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Views down over Eastbourne and out to sea.
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I found the signposts for the South Downs Way very reassuring.11:14:40
First of several trig points along the way.11:16:28
The track worn down to the chalk beneath.
11:17:22
The lanscape was all looking a bit parched after the recent heatwave.11:27:50
Most of the sheep I encountered along the way were hiding in whatever shade they could find.11:35:36
Passing through Jevington now - this apparently was the place where Banoffi pie was invented.11:38:09
Jevington church.
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A horse in a field.11:46:32
More reassuring signposts.11:58:41
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A couple more selfies mainly to demonstrate that it was really quite hot!12:04:21
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Can see a white horse carved into the hillside in the distance here.12:08:10
Zoomed in a bit.
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Although it all looks very parched in these pictures this was one of the most scenic sections, with views all the way to the sea.12:17:10
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Rather like this picture of the South Downs Way signpost with the rolling hills in the background, and eventually the sea in the distance.12:20:59
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12:26:01
Starting the long descent into Alfriston.
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A much appreciated shady lane on the way into Alfriston.12:52:26
13:01:11
Crossing the river into Alfriston.13:03:46
The church in Alfriston.
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Alfriston is a very pretty village.13:08:20
13:12:38
I had a look at a few of the local pubs but eventually settled on Ye Olde Smuggler's Inn which seemed to suit me best. A refreshing pint of bitter shandy while waiting for my lunch.13:39:40
Nice little nook/cranny I spotted elsewhere in the pub.
13:43:13
Outside Ye Olde Smugglers.13:43:25
Me outside the pub.13:54:48
Across the square from Ye Olde Smuggers, where I had a post-lunch ice cream.14:23:17
Back out on the South Downs Way now.
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This wheat field looked rather picturesque.
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Taken using my phone's portrait mode, to give it some depth of field (get it?).14:41:58
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More signposts.14:50:15
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I think this is Firle Beacon? (Or maybe that was earlier?)15:20:36
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Onto the final straight now - ought to be not much over an hour to Southease from here, but my feet were starting to hurt and I could feel I was slowing down a bit.16:00:46
...grey clouds started to loom.
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16:21:38
Almost exactly as predicted by the weather forecast there were a few rumbles of thunder and a sudden downpour.16:58:14
I was very relieved when I finally got to Southease - by that time my feet were very sore indeed! Which is what I'm trying to convey with this ridiculous facial expression.17:20:14
Got the train to Lewes then hobbled to my hotel to drop off my bag and have a shower.
18:27:40
Wanted to go for pizza for dinner, but the decent looking pizza place in Lewes was closed to have their chimney swept (!). So instead I tried this Indian restaurant, which did a very respectable masala dosa.19:33:17
I then thought I would just briefly poke my nose in at the Lewes Arms before heading back to my hotel, but was delighted to see there was going to be morris dancing outside this evening so ended up staying a while!19:41:43
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Time to head back to my hotel methinks - what a lovely way to round off the day that was!