Heading out early from my Eastbourne accommodation, I marched along the seafront in a Westerly direction towards the path up to Beachy Head. Arriving at the headland I spent an hour or so to admire the beauty of the place. I was really moved by some of the memorials and tributes to those who had taken their lives at this rather notorious suicide spot. After more than a few photographs I continued onwards over the downs to Birling Gap where I checked the tides before climbing down on to the beach and continuing along under the seven sisters cliffs. A must visit for any Robin Hood ‘Prince of Thieves’ fan, this location was used at the start of the film. Making a U turn, I took the beach all the way back to Eastbourne. I spent several hours taking photographs, mostly focussing on the lighthouse. Again, it was quite a moving experience at the base of Beachy Head. The area was littered with Engines, Chassis and wheels from various cars that had come over the cliffs, each I am sure has a sad and sorry story to tell. Retrieving the bodies cannot be an easy task. Continuing onwards, I came across a female seal, but she disappeared before I had a chance to change lenses.Reaching Cow Gap I returned to the coast path and headed back into Eastbourne after a beautiful but rather poignant day.
After seeing the new year in at a friend’s masquerade party I woke up to a hangover on New Year’s Day. By mid-morning I decided I was ready to make the most of the long weekend so decided a random trip would be a great start to the year. I decided on a visit to Eastbourne which would give me the opportunity to make a photographic study of Beachy Head and its lighthouse. I quickly booked some accommodation on the internet, packed my bag and headed down to the railway station. A replacement bus took me to Reading, followed by a train to Gatwick Airport. A final train journey brought me into Eastbourne station from where I walked to my accommodation. I spent the evening photographing the pier before heading to an Indian restaurant for a feed.
