All good things must come to an end
After five nights sleeping in a tent, it was wonderful to wake up later than normal in a big comfy bed. Today would be my last day on the Way, I was looking forward to finishing but also sad that the adventure would soon be over. The finish on the outskirts of Eastbourne was about 11 miles away and half of this would be along the coast.
It must have rained during the night as the grass was wet when I left the Hotel but with blue skies all around, this was the one and only time my walking shoes got wet on the South Downs Way. The first mile or so was alongside a small stream before heading up and away from it, all the time getting nearer the coast.
A pleasant walk would follow to the coast, firstly down and up through a small bit of woodland which then revealed the beauty of the sea before me. Next it was down to the road to cross it and head up towards my first bit of coastal path near Cuckmere Haven. It was a bit hazy looking along some of the white cliffs towards Eastbourne but the old lighthouse at Belle Tout, which is now a Bed and Breakfast was in the distance.
A map and/or a GPS were not needed for this last section so I put them away, infact they were hardly needed at all as the waymarking was very good, you couldn't really get lost. I had a quick break, put on a fleece as it had got colder and just took in the sights, sounds and smells of the coast.
Obviously there were plenty of tourists on the stretch to Eastbourne, they must have wondered why I was carrying such a large rucksack. There were plenty of uphill and downhill bits before reaching Eastbourne but I knew I only had a few miles left to walk so this gave me energy. There's not nuch I can say about the next few miles to Beachy Head hotel, just the usual coastal path that you get anywhere in the UK but the views along the coastline with the white verticle cliffs were fantastic.
After Beachy Head, I knew the finish was less than two miles away and a narrow path left the main tourist paths, from here I got my first view of Eastbourne and it looked good in the distance and all downhill. Very soon I was heading downhill towards the cafe where the South Downs Way starts/ends, taking the usual southdowns and feeling really good about finishing the South Downs Way. Even more so having done it without any rain and camping 5 out of the 7 days so carrying all the camping gear.
A long walk along the Promenade at half speed would take me to my Hotel near the Pier, my feet sore from all the tarmac. I got into my room and started to reflect on my South Downs Way adventure and to think about the next one, a happy person.
After 7 days wearing walking clothes I was glad to get into some clean and fresh clothing and feel human again. It was also nice to walk into the town centre without a rucksack and but lots of goodies to eat knowing that I didn't have to walk 20+ miles the next day.
Click here to read my final thoughts about the South Downs Way
