Miles walked: 8.6

Elevation gained: 1,090 ft.

Accommodations: Riverdale House

Our taxi driver took us to Southease this morning so that it would be an easier start to our walk. The term easier is relative. It was still a climb back up to the Way, but once on it there was an extremely steep hill to climb. At least we didn’t have to go back up yesterday’s final horrendous rocky climb.

The weather cooperated with us once again, except for the stiff wind we were walking into for most of the day. It was a strong wind and blew constantly, but not quite as fiercely as the other day. For our lunch spot, we sought out some depressions to sit down in, but it wasn’t much relief from the wind.

The star of the views today were the rape seed fields. They are a beautiful contrast to the green fields and the blue sky. We had more views of the sea, and of course, rolling green hills.

We made good time and arrived in Alfriston around two. It was packed with people and cars. Since we couldn’t check in to our B&B until 3:30, we sat in the garden at the Star Inn and had scones and a drink. The Star Inn turned out to be a very posh hotel, but the staff were all very gracious to us and we were quite comfortable there.

After our tea, we headed to St. Andrew’s Church, founded in the 1360s. As we were crossing the village square, we heard someone calling and turned to see Haike sitting on a bench. Christine was in getting a coffee and was surprised to see us when she came back. We met them our first day of walking and crossed paths several times the first four days. They were very concerned about David when they saw him on his bad day. Haike even gave me five packets of magnesium powder for David that a doctor friend had recommended to her. Christine lives in Lewes and Haike is a high school math teacher in Germany. They didn’t take a rest day like we did, so they finished the walk yesterday and are on their way back to Lewes. They were very glad to see that David was doing better but highly recommended that he take a taxi for the first part of the hike tomorrow so that he can enjoy the Seven Sisters. They had lots of helpful hints about where to start, the bus, etc.

After photos and goodbyes, we took a quick look at the church and then headed a half mile out of town to our B&B. Riverdale House is a wonderful place. It was built in 1894 and has been a guest house for over 70 years. David and I were given the best room! It is huge and has a sitting room. Every room has a fireplace and it is very comfortable.

We walked back into town to an Italian restaurant for dinner. It was excellent! I had beef shin ragu; the hostess said it was her great, great grandmother’s recipe. Walking to and from the restaurant was not nearly as crowded as when we came through the first time and I was able to take a few pictures. Alfriston is described as a Tudor era village. This area has actually been occupied since Neolithic times and was also once involved in the smuggling trade. Reading about the Star Inn afterwards, I have found out that it was a “15^th century, 37-bedroom coaching inn.”

Tomorrow is our last day, and the reason that Christine and Haike were adamant that David take a taxi to Exceat is because there will be even more strenuous ups and downs. Before we left them yesterday, Nancy, David, and I were all agreed that we would do just that. After consulting with June and John, Nancy booked us a taxi for all five of us tomorrow. The weather looks promising. Even with the taxi, it will still be a hard walk and we are sure to encounter crowds tomorrow since it is Easter, but I am looking forward to our last day!

• To Moreton-in-Marsh, April 29
• To Chipping Camden, April 28
• To Stanton, April 27
• To Winchcombe, April 26
• To Guiting Power, April 25
• To Bourton-on-the-Water, April 24
• To Stow-on-the-Wold, April 23
• A Rest Day and a Train Trip to Remember, April 21-22
• To Eastbourne, April 20
• To Alfriston, April 19
• To Kingston/Lewes, April 18
• To Poynings, April 17
• To Bramber/Upper Beeding, April 16
• Rest Day in Amberley
• To Amberley, April 14
• To Cocking, April 13
• To Buriton, April 12
• To Meonstoke, April 11
• Winchester, April 10
• Winchester, April 9
• To Winchester, April 7-8