Alfriston 2024

Saturday 21 December to Sunday 22 December...

It was wet and windy as we gathered outside Falmer station, ready to set off at 09:00. We got to the farm shop and Bob and George caught us up. Bob pushed Ian right to the top of the tarmac path where we told Ian to roll back down the hill. It was so windy that it was hard to talk to anyone at your side, but we pushed on to the trees where we usually stop but the weather was so bad, we kept going. We made the Abergavenny Arms in good time and the staff there were brilliant in feeding us and making us welcome. The next stop was Southease church and it was there that Mr & Mrs Odlum video called me from Oz! I took the 48th group photograph at he church and one on the green to include Ian, in his new electric Skoda.

Next came the climb up the long trudge onto Alfriston. Mark Clough had walked from Alfriston and met us around Firle Beacon. We got to the Singing Kettle about 17:15 which is good going. Jo and her team made us welcome and even got a round of applause from us for their teacakes!

Deans Place hotel was shut so we piled into the Smugglers after about a six year gap. We had a superb evening there with Kathy joining us with her organ and after rearranging the electrics James and Phoebe managed to get it going. We were joined by Gerry, an old chap who enjoyed singing old songs and it just kept going.

At close drove home but myself and Smoth camped and Michael and Cloughie kipped in their cars. It was a lovely starry night but just as me and Smoth were pegging out the tent, the heavens opened and we were soaked! We did manage to get some sleep and after packing up, we joined Michael and Cloughis back in the Singing Kettle. Ian drove back over with Cassia and after breakfast, Michael had made an appointment at the barbers! I had to laugh when I popped my head in because the lady had stuck two glue sticks up his nose and one in each ear! He looked like Blackadder in BA goes 4th when he was trying to get sent home to an asylum.

I've used a couple of other peoples photographs so thank you for sharing them, I love the wooden signpost one...