31st DEC. EASTBOURNE to NORMANS BAY

Today was a very slow unmotivated start. It was hard walking out of the Travelodge and continuing in the rain.
We dragged our heels , sending a pair boots back to Monique. We had purchased new boots yesterday,  more half wellie half walking boot and a gamble. I had been using Karrimor KSB EVENT 350 , which after 800 + miles still had life in them but these constant wet conditions were to much for normal walking boots. J's boots just wore out after 1300+ miles.
I left J while I went into the busy town centre to post the boots and past guide book to Monique. It was heaving in town and wad hot and sweaty starting walking on returning to J at around 12.30.
The walking was easy following the sea front then up around the harbour on the A259. It was about 1.30 when we stopped at ASDA supermarket for lunch. Again the place was so busy. We ate hot and food then I got a few mince pies to eat while drinking a coffee.
Starting off again it was raining heavily and we plodded miserably on leaving the A259 at Pevensey to follow a coast hugging lane avoiding windy shore.The housing stretched along the shore for a couple of miles winding inland.
At a train crossing I was surprised to see the gates were manually opened and closed by a yellow clad woman. I said I bet you wish it was an automatic gate,  she replied that it would put her out of a job.
Backs at the coast it was now getting dark and with rain still falling we pitched the tent next to some boat sheds and dumped tv and other fly tipping including a toilet basin.
We cleared the broken bottles and brambles pitching the tent with hardy capes laid down to protect it.
We had no water ironically, but ate biscuits as our tea. As Travelodge were doing a sale so we booked a treat for £19 in Hastings for New Year day. We were becoming soft.
It was new years eve and we were asleep by 8 having listened to Just William on radio 4.... cosy feel!
Still raining .