At Alfriston, the South Downs Way divided in two. There was an inland route more suitable for cyclists and a seaside path, preferred by walkers. The seaside route would give us spectacular views over the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head, but would involve going steeply up and then steeply down for each of the Seven Sisters - a challenge for our creaky old knees.
My only regret about taking the seaside route (apart from the 2000 feet of ascent and the 2000 feet of descent) was that we would miss the Long Man of Wilmington, a chalk figure cut in the hillside a long time ago. I identified with The Long Man because, like me, he carried two walking poles.
It was a testing walk, but after eight days of hiking, we were ready for it.
What we weren't ready for was the very visible finish line at Eastbourne. All at once, the chalk and grass which had been beneath our feet for the last nine days turned to asphalt and concrete. It was another mile and a half along the sea front before we got to our hotel, which was just as well, as it gave our soles/souls a chance to adjust to the fact that, well over a hundred miles since we left Winchester, our long-distance hike was over.
And on the train next day, from Eastbourne to London, we had a great view of the Long Man of Wilmington, complete with walking poles.
We saluted him.
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