L2L Day 9 Alfriston to Lewes - 11 miles

For a population of 830, Alfriston has 5 pubs. How they survive the Lord alone knows. Certainly more than we could do justice to yesterday evening. It might be unforgettable to try but on this occasion, The George did us proud.



The very local brew is Long Man Brewery's best bitter and two pints shaped a most agreeable start to the evening.

Whether or not it had anything to do with Long Man's best bitter I can't say but this morning over breakfast we saw an albino squirrel.


I don't think it was a trick of the light.

As we walked across the village green to look at St.Andrew's church 



we met Louise and Martin from Amsterdam.


They'd read in the National Geographic magazine about the South Downs Way and had decided to come across for a week's walking. They'd walked from Lewes yesterday and were continuing on to Eastbourne this morning.
We compared notes before heading off.

The South Downs Way leaves Lewes on a steep track and very soon we were out on familiar ground - the beautiful Downs.


Looking out Southwards we could see Newhaven.


Just beyond Firle Beacon we watched a number of hang gliders coming to grips with the breeze


and becoming more confident as the conditions settled.


Despite the bright sunshine, the keen breeze from the North was quite cool 


so by midday, we were keen to find a sheltered spot to enjoy a coffee stop.

Hiding behind the radio station at Beddingham Hill provided the ideal lunch stop.


Dropping down off the top of the Downs, it's a steep descent down Itford Hill towards the River Ouse at Southease.

As we were coming down the hill we met Belle, Paul and their beautiful falcon, Sir Lancelot of the Faeries. 


They were climbing up to let Sir Lancelot off the leash for him to find his lunch. The harsh reality of nature in action.


After crossing the Ouse we followed the river embankment all the way up to Lewes.

From the embankment we could see the rotating mechanism of the old swing bridge that would have allowed sailing barges up and down the river.


On the final stretch in to town, we passed a garage selling one of Sally's dream cars.


Nice colour too!!

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