Eastbourne Circular

21 June. We had chosen a hot day for this walk, which normally includes three or or four of the Seven Sisters. In the morning we leave the town via the golf course, going up through ‘Paradise’ (a section of the South Downs park) and making our way through undulating fields to the lunch stop at East Dean. This is a lovely section of the walk, where the farmer has allowed some wilder areas, and we noticed many wildflowers and butterflies, and a variety of birdsong.

But there was not a lot of cover. And by the time we got to East Dean the temperatures had risen from the forecast low 20s to the high 20s. The pub and cafe at East Dean were welcome sights. We decided to disband the walk at this point, with three of us taking a bus to Seaford, perhaps to swim, three to linger at East Dean then take a bus to Eastbourne, and one intrepid soul (familiar with the route) to make his way along all seven of the sisters. One other intrepid soul had travelled to join us at East Dean. But hot as East Dean was, it was cooler than London – and she said it was worth it.

Thanks to Deirdre for additional photos. Janet