Mark, feel free to edit it, or if it's too long for your section could you pass it on to Peter to put in the R23 report.
thanks, any errors post them here, but the deadline for next issue is next Tuesday so be quick.
.........Phil
______________________________________________________________
The Gardeners Arms looked like a Tuesday pub-night when we arrived, with a selection of Porsches gathered together; all 911's and covering just about every model so my 924S added some variety. As I had nominated a couple of routes I was duly elected leader and we chose to head towards the South Downs and see the sights from Beachy Head.
Joining in were Rod Hunter (3.2 Carrera coupe), James McBlane (early 2.4T) with their partners, Will De'Ath (993 Carrera S), Jonathan Cosh (with just 300 miles on his GT3RS), Ajit (996 GT3), Daniel Engeldow (SC Targa), Richard and Pam Scott (all the way from Uxbridge in their 965 Turbo) and a couple in a 996 that arrived just as we were leaving.
We headed south through Ardingly, into Lindfield and onto the A272. The plan was to allow Jonathan to fill up at the Shell garage on the A272 but it's only a small garage and was pretty busy "" a moments hesitation, but there was no way we were going to get 9 Porsches on the forecourt so we headed on east. At Chailey (apparently the centre of Sussex "" or as "˜central' as you can get in an odd shaped county) we turned south on the A275 and headed down to Lewes. Around Lewes making sure everyone got across the roundabouts in the right direction, under the Culfail tunnel, and then joining the A27 eastbound, which was unfortunately a bit of a procession on a busy Saturday afternoon. After a few miles I turned the convoy south through Wilmington, home of the Long Man carved into the chalk face of the Downs. A couple of miles along from the Long Man there is also a horse carved on the valley side over to the right "" nothing like as distinctive as the Wiltshire versions, and not easy to see unless you know it's there. The lane is rather narrow in places but a lovely road that follows the Cuckmere valley and avoids the tourist chaos through Alfriston.
At the end of this lane we parked up to ensure the group was still together before heading out onto the A259 coast road at Cuckmere Haven. The climb eastwards up the hill gave a great view of the River Cuckmere winding out to sea in the sunshine. This is the only undeveloped river mouth in the south of England, so I've read somewhere "" it seems all others have a port or marina or harbour at their entrance whereas this just flows quietly out to sea.
After the climb up the Downs (yes, that does make sense) it was downhill to East Dean where we turned south onto the last leg of the journey. Past the Seven Sisters sheep centre, this road is very twisty with good visibility but unfortunately is very bumpy - I think the GT3's knew about it. It winds out to Birling Gap, almost at sea level, and then twists and climbs up past the Belle Tout lighthouse. The Belle Tout had to be moved back a couple of years ago due to cliff erosion. You can park and walk up to it and see just how close it used to be "" but be warned, there is no fence along the cliff edge and you're right on it in some places! Finally we arrived at the top, and with a clear space all along one side of the car park we got a great opportunity to line up the cars with a Sussex backdrop for photos.
After refreshments we continued eastwards, down the zig-zag road into Eastbourne, cruised along the seafront and caused much confusion at Tesco where I led the convoy around the retail park looking for the petrol entrance (where Jonathan got his fuel at last). Everyone then made their way home, no doubt glad to be able to unleash the cars along the new, smoothly laid, Polegate bypass!
A great drive out and thanks to Rod for suggesting the idea and to everyone else for turning up. For those that don't see the forum we're planning to make this a regular 2nd Saturday event. Look out for the next one.
].
