Monday 1 September 2014

A walk on Beachy Head

Last Friday we went to visit Beachy Head - not sure why it took us so long, we've lived down here for some years now! We drove to the visitor centre and pub (which does a nice lunch) at the top, and walked over to the cliff:

DSC_1551

They're not joking about the cliff edge...

DSC_1572

Being 500ft above the sea, whilst also being almost at the edge of it, makes for some great views, to Eastbourne and beyond to the east:

DSC_1544

To the south, some weird ocean currents (see the diagonal line in the water, from bottom left to centre) and nice shadows of clouds on the sea:
DSC_1542

And the well-known lighthouse to the west:
DSC_1556

It's a stunning place to visit, shame it has a darker side as a suicide spot. But at least the Chaplaincy Team there is doing a good job.
DSC_1578

Going west along the coast from Beachy Head you come to Seven Sisters country park, which is also worth a visit - we walked along the west side of the Cuckmere river:
DSC_1587

Before long, the river reaches the sea...
DSC_1628

And you're rewarded with a nice shingle beach with a few houses perched on cliff tops:
DSC_1653

On the walk between the main road and the sea, we saw more Herons in half an hour than we ever have in one place before!
DSC_1612

DSC_1594

DSC_1596

There was also the bizarre sight of a Heron and several Little Egrets perched in trees, preening themselves! It's strange to see a bird usually found wading in water up a tree...
DSC_1620

We walked back along the other side of the trees, and I was able to get a closer shot of one of the Little Egrets:
DSC_1675

There were also lots of other birds, including dozens of Swallows - I was pleased to get a photo of one of them, though it took about 20 shots to get this one mediocre picture!
DSC_1712

If you've not been, the area is well worth a visit - there's more info here.

Mike

No comments: