2nd JAN. HASTINGS to RYE

Although we had a late start of 10am we covered 15 miles. It still took us a while to get out of Hastings with a few supplies to get. J wanted a head torch to replace the flood damaged one that finally gave up working and no matter how many times I hit it it would not work. Also meths again and basic food stuff which we almost walked out without and had to walk back to get leaving J in old Hastings by the mini golf.
We decided to take cycle route 2 which gave us off main road route with a mix of minor paths.
We stopped for snacks at Fairlight post office before decending to the coast  at Cliff End.
Terrain was fairly flat inland, the sea wall seemed to hold back the shingle beach. Seven years previous we had camped uncomfortably on this very beach having returned from Bulgaria.
We stuck to the shore avoiding the road making our way to Rye Harbour via RSPB reserve.It is always frustrating seeing land the other side of the inlet 100 metres away and knowing we have a 3 mile walk inland to the bridge.  and three mile return to coast to get to that same spot.
Anyway there was no choice and we walked to Rye Harbour then to Rye itself in increasingly wet weather passed unwelcoming industrial estates in ever dimming light.
We passed a chip shop, as J was hungry I got some chips and a drink.
In rain we made our way out of Rye with barely a glimpse rejoining the cycle route 2 which crossed a vast area of grassland with sheep grazing. We diverted to the River Rother anti flood bank. The grass was fairly wet with fairly flat large pools.
We pitched the tent and like a well oiled machine we got our gear sorted and all stowed. We were soon brewing tea and winding up the radio. We had scrambled eggs with cheese with bread. I dozed off about 7 , tired from a late night yesterday.