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Thirteen of us spent the weekend based at Alfriston YH where we enjoyed walking on the Sussex
Downs and coast. The Saturday walk headed off from the hostel along the South Downs Way towards
the Seven Sisters Country Park Visitors Centre and the famous chalk cliffs (there are actually
eight of them!) Our alfresco lunch was taken at Birling Gap where a small group of us took the
opportunity for an extra walk along the beach. In the afternoon on the final ascent to Beachy Head
we passed the privately owned Belle Tout lighthouse, which has been rebuilt (actually, moved! ed)
further back from the coast. The views were spectacular and the wind breathtaking! We then
descended into Eastbourne and some of the group walked back along the coast to Cow Gap where the
imposing cliffs could be viewed from below. After a brief coffee stop and some retail therapy at
the BBC shop in Eastbourne we caught the bus back to the hostel.
On Sunday morning the River Cuckmere was followed to climb above the White Horse, a curved ridge
walk then led up to Firle Beacon on Long Barrow where having battled against strong gusts of wind
we did not stay long. At the lunch stop some of the party took the opportunity to visit the Old
Clergy House, the first property to be acquired by the National Trust in 1896. The afternoon walk
again used the South Downs Way to visit the Long Man on Willmington Hill and after a circular walk
to Litlington we once more met the Cuckmere to complete the day.
Thanks to Clive Williams for organizing the weekend so efficiently and leading such interesting
and exhilarating walks and to David, Bez and Jim for the driving.
Rose Collins
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