Tag Archives: Beachy Head

On a south coast tip

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We’re away at the moment down at the south coast. We only bumped into (at a bus stop, no less) the friendly older chap with the Captain Bird’s Eye beard with a tooth missing again who we met on Beachy Head when we were last in these parts (here).

We’d see him on various occasions throughout that holiday, sitting having a roll up or just walking, and he’d pass on some obscure nuggets of information about the vicinity, a lot more of an “out there” nature then the official tourist walks we went on.

He sat behind us on the bus trip into town the other day and told us the next morning he was going to put some tide tables up around Beachy Head. Trying to suss out who he worked for or was he a park ranger, we asked him was he employed by the local council to which he replied “There are ladies present so I cannot tell you what I honestly think of the local authority”.

He told us after he retired, he took it upon himself to make sure the walkers around the coastline at Beachy Head were safe and not cut off by tides which happens a lot as the lifeboats were always coming out to rescue people around there. He knew the area around there like the back of his hand what with serving on the lifeboats for some years.

Towards the end of the bus trip we asked him where he lived and he said “The other side of the lighthouse, where I was a keeper for a few years”. We then exchanged our goodbyes and he got off the bus with a friendly wave.

Then it struck us. Were the stories works of an over-active imagination? We sincerely hope not.

Psst wanna know a secret?

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We’re away for a few days not far from Eastbourne and very close to Beachy Head, which of course was used as the cover location of Throbbing Gristle’s 20 Jazz Funk Greats and the red and white striped lighthouse below there featured as Schnipps’ rocket that was to be launched against London in The Prisoner (“The Girl Who Was Death” episode.)

The last few days we’ve been wandering to Beachy Head using different routes on the South Down’s way, getting to know the shoreline and just enjoying the chilled vibes and good weather. Rain is sadly forecast for tomorrow.

On every walk this week we’ve bumped into a friendly older man with a tooth missing, in walking boots, carrying a rucksack either sitting on the many benches there having a rest or just passing by on his way to some place.

Today it came as no surprise we bumped into him again, this time idling about on a coastal route. We bid him good day and smiled to ourselves that we crossed paths again and he asked us “Do you want to know a secret?” ”Yes” of course we replied!

He then spent ten minutes telling us that the undulations in the earth below us were filled in trenches from the First World War. Then he chatted about Ancient Tumuli now hidden on a nearby golf course. An Ordinance survey map was pulled from his rucksack to be added as evidence and lots of local knowledge were imparted within the short meeting.

We at Weeds love meeting these characters on holiday and a fun filled conversation would be guaranteed if a couple of pints were shared with them. The alternatives so far in the pubs have been barflies talking very loudly about their luxury 5 star holidays to Dubai or their jury service experiences “I 100% knew he was guilty but the judge obviously didn’t”.

We here prefer people who spill local secrets on hilltop footpaths. Here’s to the great characters you meet when you’re away from home!