In Conclusion

This is my third holiday with the Bradford CHA Rambling Club and I have enjoyed them all. Many thanks to all the people involved in organising the holiday and leading the walks. These are all volunteers and they do a superb job that is much appreciated.
The club is always on the look out for new members and apart from it's own website it has recently set up a Yahoo Group. If you live anywhere near Bradford please come and join us, you won't be disappointed.
I'm now looking forward to next year's trip to Abergavenny ...........watch this space!

There was plenty to do in an evening, a stroll towards Beachy Head or a walk along the prom. Some people visited the theatre and cinema or went dancing. For those that wanted a rest after the day's walking there was a small bar in the hotel and a selection of games. Scrabble became very competitive with Neil becoming the worthy champion, pushed all the way by Mary in a very close competition.

A Good Time

We travelled to Eastbourne with J.A.K. Travel who also take us on our Sunday walks. We were well looked after on our journey and arrived home safely in good time.
We stayed at the Alexandra Hotel on the seafront, a family run, very friendly hotel and a good time was had by all.

The Marina

There is a large marina complex under construction 3 miles east of the centre of Eastbourne. It is a pleasant walk along the promenade all the way and it's very interesting to look around at all the boats and the locks and connecting waterways. There is a huge amount of new high density housing here and seems to be a popular place to live, but it wouldn't suit me, it's too congested.

The Pier

The pier has a night club, an amusement arcade and some souvenir shops. It also has the only camera obscura on a pier but unfortunately it was closed each time I visited.

Around Eastbourne

I took some time out from walking to have a good look around Eastbourne. It was a good place to stay with plenty to see and do. The beach is mostly shingle apart from a bit of sand at low tide, so paddling was a painful option!

Jack and Jill

Just before reaching Pyecombe on the third day we made a short detour to view the Jack and Jill windmills.

Up on the Downs

The weather on the second day was mixed and this dark cloud soon rained amd hailed on us as we sheltered behind the gorse bushes and waited for it to pass.

Cuckmere Haven

The descent from the Seven Sisters brings you to the delightful Cuckmere Valley. The beach here consists of millions of stones interspersed with wild flowers. The river occupies a deep narrow channel and can only be crossed by a bridge about a mile upstream.

The Seven Sisters

From Birling Gap it is a roller coaster walk over the Seven Sisters to the Cuckmere Valley. The sisters are named Went Hill Brow, Bailey's Brow, Flagstaff Point, Brass Point, Rough Brow, Short Brow and Haven brow. They were thought to be named by sailors in the 16th century.

Birling Gap

Birling Gap is the only place of access to the sea between Eastbourne and Cuckmere Haven. The beach can be reached by descending some metal steps maintained by the National Trust. It is well worth going down to experience a different view of the cliffs. They are awesome seen from below.

Beachy Head

The chalk cliffs at Beachy Head are very spectacular and we paused there for a while admiring the view and taking photographs before continuing our journey on to the rolling hills named the Seven Sisters.

The South Downs Way

The walk started at the Western end of Eastbourne and we were soon up on the downs.

The Beginning

CHA trip to Eastbourne

We set off from Bradford early on Saturday morning, travelling by coach to Eastbourne to walk a section of the South Downs way. Our destination was the Alexandra Hotel on the sea front.