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Eastbourne Walking Holidays 27.4.09 - 1.5.09

BreakfastBreakfast at Alexandra hotel


Lunch Lunch at Alfriston

 

Long Walkers Long walkers 
Frogleaping Frog leaping championship

 

Eileen and IvanEileen and Ivan - the organisers

EASTBOURNE SPRING HOLIDAY

Having set off in pouring rain that seemed to get worse as we got closer to Eastbourne our spirits were probably all rather dampened at the prospect of spending the next few days walking! Just dashing into a pub for a quick lunch on the way down got my car load fairly wet and we stayed there as long as we reasonable could in the hope that by the time we left it would have stopped raining - it didn't! Even getting ourselves out of the car and into the hotel loaded with all the stuff we have on a walking trip was a challenge - without a third hand for an umbrella.

The first thing to cheer us up was the hotel. Eileen and Ivan had found the most amazing deal for us! A really excellent hotel - some rooms even having superb sea views, although we had to wait until the next day to actually appreciate just how good the view was . a view of the sea looses a lot of its joy when the rain keeps coming down.

There was a real crowd of us - sixty four - so we more or less took the place over, which was great as we only had each other to push out of the way when the bar opened. Space was found for a good evening.s Frog Racing during the week and there was ever the temptation to take a walk on the promenade and out on the pier in the evening after dinner - even after walking several miles during the day.

Having set off in pouring rain that seemed to get worse as we got closer to Eastbourne our spirits were probably all rather dampened at the prospect of spending the next few days walking! Just dashing into a pub for a quick lunch on the way down got my car load fairly wet and we stayed there as long as we reasonable could in the hope that by the time we left it would have stopped raining - it didn't! Even getting ourselves out of the car and into the hotel loaded with all the stuff we have on a walking trip was a challenge - without a third hand for an umbrella.

The first thing to cheer us up was the hotel. Eileen and Ivan had found the most amazing deal for us! A really excellent hotel - some rooms even having superb sea views, although we had to wait until the next day to actually appreciate just how good the view was - a view of the sea looses a lot of its joy when the rain keeps coming down.

There was a real crowd of us - sixty four - so we more or less took the place over, which was great as we only had each other to push out of the way when the bar opened. Space was found for a good evening's Frog Racing during the week and there was ever the temptation to take a walk on the promenade and out on the pier in the evening after dinner - even after walking several miles during the day.

We had a choice of walks every day - longer or shorter - more or less challenging, and we had amazing weather - it could not have been better on the Med, once the first morning was passed. That first morning we set off in our usual determined manner regardless of the unsettled skies. On the longer walk we saw the sky grow ever darker as we drove higher and as soon as we had arrived at the car park and got out of the cars - down came the rain - again! In fact the shorter walkers had a much better morning than we did by staying on sea level. But the long walkers plodded on - the paths were very muddy and very slippery so it was necessary to keep your eyes on your feet while the rain drummed on your hood. Not an auspicious start! But virtue was rewarded and by lunch time it was much improved and the skies began to brighten and never darkened again for the rest of the week.

We probably did not walk over very much ground that we have not all walked over at other times, as we do go to the area a lot on Sunday coach trips. But being able to walk for three whole days together was a special treat, enjoying the Spring scenery and the glorious sunshine. It never matters if we have seen places before as every time they look different and one day the shorter walk had a very special experience. They arrived at a house where the garden was open to the public for a few hours in the mornings - but got there too late. They bought some fruit and honey etc on sale outside and decided that they were leaving so much money in the box outside that they ought to take it up to the house. As luck would have it there was a delightful young man there who asked them into the garden and showed them round the dove cote etc. This is the sort of thing that can only be taken advantage of when taking some extra time is no problem not having to stick to a time to get back for the coach home.

Leaving Eastbourne was very sad on the Friday in blazing sunshine! And that memory will last longer then the rainy one. So huge thanks from all of us to Eileen and Ivan for arranging such a great break for us - we are already looking forward to the next one!

Peta High