Day 5 - Friday September3rd

Today started with a good breakfast and a large packed lunch provided by Bernard my host.
I left at 8.00 and took the route back to the coast which took 20 minutes. After a short while the promenade ran out and the path wandered either side of an extensive line of tamarisk trees and even running like an avenue with them either side. I passed some open land and then through Ferring. The coast path ran through an estate at Kingston Gorse and again at East Preston. Next I passed through Rustington and then into Littlehampton. At 11.05 I had a coffee near the lifeboat station. In Littlehampton I had to walk inland to the footpath the cross the river Arun. On the other side the path quickly became rural with a golf course on the left and fields on the right. Either side there were reeds in the ditches - the weather was fine and the scene beautiful. I then came to Atherington and ate some lunch. The route continued to Middleton-on-Sea. As much of the path was on shingle I opted to walk on hard flat sand as the tide was out. I moved from the beach on to the promenade when that started and continued to the pier at Bognor Regis. As it was early I opted to continue westwards and soon the promenade ran out and some very expensive housing meant that the only option was to walk along the shingle until I got to Pagham. This last part was exhausting so I am glad that I have done it today and I can enjoy starting tomorrow by going around Pagham harbour and doing some birdwatching, although it has not been without some interest in this respect so far - twice I have seen hobbies - they are so beautiful and distinctive.
Walking distance today was 17-18 miles - not as long as previous days and tomorrows is about the same. I am going to leave some of my baggage with Tim & Margie after the weekend to lighten the load - a lesson to be learnt here for me. However I am in good heart and all is going well apart from yesterdays miscalculation!

Day 4 Thursday September 2nd

Left Eastbourne at 8.10 a.m. and reached the top of Beachy Head one hour later. Walked through Beachy Head country park to Birling Gap, then over the Seven Sisters. When I got to Cuckmere Haven, forded the river (12.10) and continued on to Newhaven. It was obvious by then that I had completely miscalculated the distances, so caught the bus to Brighton. Walked for 2 hours through Brighton and Hove and then got the bus to Worthing as it was obvious I wasn't going to get there any other way. Arrived at Worthing 6.15 p.m.

Walked 20.67 miles today.

Day 3 Wednesday September 1st

Left Rye at 8 a.m. after very nice breakfast. Took direct path to Winchelsea, rejoined the canal path, along to Cliff End and then up cliffs to Fairlight Cove, through Fairlight and into Fire Hills Nature Reserve, which extends all the way to Hastings and includes 3 glens, path very steep. Arrived in Hastings at 1.30 p.m. Walked along to Bexhill, between railway and the sea. Arrived Bexhill 3 p.m. and continued along the front, on to a road which is a cycle route, under the railway and then left the road and walked along the beach to Norman's Bay to find another coastal path. Arrived Pevensey Bay 5.45 p.m., had a meal and then walked to Eastbourne and arrived at B & B at 7.45 p.m. Total of 28.4 miles today.

Distance walked 28miles.

Sponsorship

If you wish to sponsor Dudley's Dawdle, please ring 01202 481379 and leave your name, address and telephone no. and we will send you sponsorship details. If you would like to gift aid it, the gift aid form is on the back of the sponsorship form.

Day2 Tuesday 31st August

Left at 8 a.m. after Alwyn jnr. cooked me an excellent fried breakfast. A most enjoyable day's walk starting at Seabrook, through Hythe and then along the Royal Military Canal all the way to Rye. Path hardly goes through a village. Beautiful countryside, but path not as easy as one might imagine as the grass was quite lumpy. Arrived in Rye 5.30 p.m.

Distance walked 22 miles

Day 1. Monday 30th August

Ralph and Terri picked us up and we left Christchurch at 8 a.m. Arrived in Dover 11.10 after coffee stop. After a quick look round Dover and lunch met up with David Stavely, an old school friend, at 1 p.m. on edge of Dover. Said farewells and David and I set off up very steep hill. Stopped for coffee at Capel-le-Ferne, saw the Battle of Britain Memorial and walked down into Folkestone. Would have missed the footpath down to Folkestone if David had not been with me, but he knew the way. Walked along the promenade as far as Seabrook, which is at the start of Royal Military Canal path. Finished at 5.45 p.m. Jenny's cousin Alwyn picked me up and took me to his son's for the night. Alwyn will pick me up tomorrow morning and take me back to Seabrook.

Distance walked 12miles

Saturday, August 28th.

Short walk this morning. Went around Stanpit Marsh and to Avon Beach and Steamer point and visited Howard Piper. Returned home by same route.
Distance walked about 6miles.

Almost ready for start on Monday. Today was the last walk before Monday's start.