Winchelsea Beach

Grey damp start to the day, a brief glimpse of sunshine before the clouds rolled in again. Susan suggested we go to the East Sussex Wildlife Reserve at Rye Harbour where she said the weather looked better.

She was right, it was. Not to start with as we walked along to the Discovery Centre for soup and coffee. The wind was keening over the exposed marshes blowing dampness in the air.

By the time we’d finished clouds were breaking and crepuscular rays were shining down over a tumultuous waves. We walked to the edge of the Rother estuary and were expecting to walk along the path towards Winchelsea. Not on this occasion as when we peeked over the shingle the tide was out and we presented by a wide sandy beach.

We’ve not been on this route before when the tide has been out exposing a super beach in front of the shingle banks. It gave us a wonderful couple of miles walk in glorious light and sunshine into that stiff breeze. Old sea defences, left to decay provided much interest, as did a lone swimmer taking his chances in the rollers.

The return journey was just as interest with loads of waterbirds and waterfowl to see with flocks wheeling and glinting in the blue skies. We were followed by a fine setting sun.

A grand day out