The last day of cycling should have been the easiest one, so we had a leisurely breakfast in Lewes, both of us wishing we could have had more time to look around. We cycled to Kingston where we wanted to joint the South Downs way near to Kingston Ridge and this is where my map book was clearly out of date, it was printed in 2007 after all. We cycled across a field to a kissing gate where we would have lifted the bikes over but it was tight. I’m sure the ladies will understand when I say I had a “Coca Cola” moment, Richard lifted the gate off its hinges! Gulp, moving swiftly on….. to disaster.
We cycled up the path by the church but then lost our way and ended up pushing the bikes up a steep hill of long grass and hummocks. We lifted the bikes over a wire fence and found a small track going up to where we needed to be. It was steep, Richard got on and cycled….I tried to do the same with Richard’s words ” just don’t fall that way” in my mind as I tumbled over the edge….. Everything went in slow motion. I didn’t fall far I kind of rolled a bit and landed on my back, winded. However I then saw my bike falling onto me and I tried to turn my head as the handlebar hit my mouth and the bike bounced away again.
The South Downs are now about 3mm wider at this point as a result of my accident, half my right incisor adding to the geology. My next lesson…don’t try to show off and trust my instincts!
The ‘Tortoise’ (I have a name for my bike now) was unharmed and we cycled back to Lewes to get my tooth/gap checked and were directed to Lewes High Street Dental Practice. I was a bit tearful and probably shocked when I got there. They were lovely and saw me straight away, Dentist Greg built my tooth up, he did a great job. By now my front teeth hurt too and I had two fat lips.
This left us a very short time frame to get to Eastbourne. Setting off again around 2pm, joining the path at Rodmell to save a bit of time, this was hard going for me. By the time we reached Itford Hill my chest was hurting and there was a clicking noise from the left side when I breathed. We carried on and made it to Eastbourne, the last part of the track in the near dark, it wasn’t enjoyable and to cap it all I had booked a Travelodge on the edge of town about as far away as it could be!
Once in the room I saw myself in the mirror, god that was more of a shock than usual, I thought I had an oil mark under my lip. Richard told me it was a bruise. I got a good look in the bathroom, fat split lips, cut gums and massive bruises on my legs, I looked ill. Beautiful as I ever!
Dinner was soup for me as I’d been advised to have soft food for the next few days. Richard had a roast (Grr!) but he did get me mashed potato.
While we had completed the whole 100 mile of the South Downs Way, I felt a bit cheated and we had yet to see Beachy Head and had missed the Long Man Of Willmington because it was too rushed.
One more day to go…
The Travelling Bee 