Coastwalk

Hastings → Rye

Distance: 13.4 miles
Ascent: 769 metres
Duration: 4 hours 13 minutes

Sustinence
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A couple of days after the festival, this is the perfect way to relax: a dozen miles on the south coast. Mum's taken the day out to support me, acting as chauffeur, picnic-coordinator and walking companion for some stretches.

I'm walking in firmly familiar territory here. When we lived in Tonbridge, Hastings was our nearest seaside town although for teenage midnight sandcastle-building expeditions we used to favour the deserted expanse of Winchelsea Beach.

Between Hastings and Winchelsea the path rises up to Fairlight, a village falling into the sea one house at a time. Mum found me on the final descent to Pett Level where we had lunch.

The other side of Winchelsea Beach the sea-road turns inland towards Rye while the coast follows straight ahead to Rye Harbour, a couple of miles downstream from the Cinque Port. Once again Mum walked out to meet me, this time brandishing a welcoming ice-cream. This kind of support is very welcome but I'm glad it's not offered on every walk: I'm not sure my waist would be able to expand that far.