Log No 313. Tue 13th May 2014 - Norman's Bay to Rye, 21 miles (4794 miles walked)

With not having to strike the tent I got away for 07.00, it was dry with very little wind.

After passing the few houses that make up Norman's Bay I went down to walk on the stony beach, there was a small strip of sand which made the going easier. I spent a few minutes chatting to the lone angler and i declined his offer of a small flounder that he said I could cook for my breakfast.

Bexhill-on-Sea's claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of British Motor Racing and it held the first international motor race in 1902.

Leaving the town the footpath/cycleway followed the railway line into Hastings.

I saw my first Cockerpoo today, not that I knew what it was - I overheard two dog walkers talking.

Coming into Hastings I could see that the pier and it's buildings were In a bad way but work was underway to make the town proud of it again with an expected completion date of Easter 2015.

It was a short steep climb out of Hastings, up steps on East Hill, to get on to the Saxon Shore Way.

I didn't get very far on it as signs said that a few of the paths in the glen were closed due to being blocked by landslides.

An alternative route took me inland a bit and it was easier as the path didn't go down through the glen but stayed high going round it.

Rejoining the Saxon Shore Way a light shower started as I began the descent to Fairlight Cove.

By the time I got down to the road along by the shore the rain was becoming persistent and I had to put my waterproofs on. It was quite dark up ahead and there were a couple a good lightening flashes over Dunganess with rumbles of thunder.

I stayed on the road to Winchelsea Bay then picked up the Saxon Shore Way again as it went through farmland, going by Camber Castle and into Rye.

In this last couple of miles I had my waterproofs off and 3 times as showers came and passed over me. During one of the "off" periods I was walking under some power lines and felt something land on my back just below the neck, I thought it was just a big rain drop but when I looked up saw it was a message from a pigeon, obviously telling me it was about time I washed my t-shirt!

I got into Rye at 14.30 in good time to get the 14.55 train back to Norman's Bay.

21 miles today.