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Autumn Walk October 2020 Hastings,
8/10/2020 - 12/10/2020
Thursday 8th October.
Travel day
Travel day. We set off in the dry but had several heavy showers making the journey down very tedious. Our plan was to travel to Boreham Street for lunch and a short warm up walk, however these plans were scuppered by covid restrictions and lack of room in establishments. For lunch Steve B, John W, Mick and John S all met at the Bulls Head. Dick G, Paul K, Dave D, Graham B and Ian C went on to The Squirrel Inn. After lunch the weather had not cleared and time was pressing on so it was decided to check in at the Travelodge in Hastings, where Phil joined us, and go for a walk around the town.
Once we were checked in and walking round Hastings it was decided to stay in town, have a drink and something to eat, as time would have been too short to go back to the rooms, wash, change, and get back to town to eat before all the places closed (covid 22:00 ). We stayed in small groups taking in The Dolphin Inn, The Jolly Fisherman, The John Logie Baird for dinner (Wetherspoons) and The Albion. It felt very strange as we could not all be together and were back in the rooms by 22:30.
Friday 9th October.
We woke up to a fine and sunny morning with little wind which stayed that way until lunch time and rain arrived as we got back to the rooms at 16:00.
Breakfast was taken at The John Logie Baird where Andy C, Ralph H and Ben joined us then on to a train to Winchelsea. A minor panic set in at the station as there was a late platform change, of course it was up and over a bridge, all made it ok though. Once at Winchelsea we set off in staggered groups to be covid compliant walking along Station Road, Winchelsea to The Saxon Shore Way and followed this along the Royal Military Canal to the coast. This was a nice start to the walk with good views across marshes, very flat and lots of wild life around though Dick struggled as he was not feeling too well. At the coast we stayed on the Saxon Shore Way into Fairlight where the terrain changed from flat to hilly then on to several severe ups and downs all the way to Hastings Old Town with a couple of diversions on the cliff path. At Fire Hills and by the Radar Station there were good views of Dungeness and The French coast could be seen on the horizon. At East Hill we came to the steps by the funicular railway into The Old Town. We descended these, which came out by The Dolphin Inn, a good place to rehydrate for some others went on to The Royal Standard before going to refresh ourselves.
Once changed all bar Dick went out in small groups to wine and dine.
Saturday 10th October.
Again we woke up to a fine, sunny morning. Breakfast was again taken at The Logie Baird before getting a train to Battle. The plan being to walk back to Hastings along The 1066 Country Walk-Bexhill Link, to Crowhurst and the Plough for lunch. After lunch, back on The 1066 Country Walk-Bexhill Link to Little Worsham Farm, across the nature reserve back into Hastings and our Travelodge. All walked in small groups apart from Dick as his legs would not work after the previous day’s walk so he just got the train to Battle walked around then went back on the train to Hastings meeting up with the others later.
Once all were back washed and changed it was out on the town again in small groups for various meals and refreshments.
Sunday 11th October.
Another fine and sunny morning after breakfast at The Logie Baird, the train was taken to Three Oaks for the walk back to Hastings. The route was along the 1066 Country Walk-Hastings Link via Plashet Wood, Saunders Farm, Church farm, round Friar’s Hill, Glebe Wood alongside The Hall, up to North’s Seat. Here Dick and Ian carried straight on to Hasting Old Town along Barley Lane ending up at East Hill and took the same route as Friday. The others went via Ore and The Old King John for lunch before rejoining the route Dick and Ian had taken.
After a rehydration stop it was back for a wash and change before going out for dinner. Again it was out in small groups to meet current restrictions before returning and retiring for the night.
It was strange not to carry on our recent custom of toasting absent friends, and evenings without friendly banter had made it a strange but still enjoyable time. Let’s hope come next year some sense of normality will be in place.
Monday 12th October.
After another breakfast at the Logie Baird, we all started to make our way back home. A very enjoyable long weekend with good company.
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