10. Aug 2025

Brighton - Polegate

Photo 1: Climbing steps up and over the white cliffs... without sunglasses.

Photo 2: Looking back over the way I had come.

Photo 3: A lighthouse down in the bay before me.

At one point today going through the town of Altfriston, I missed a turn on my way to a foot bridge. It was no big deal, only cost me a few minutes. When I got to the bridge, though, young hikers were crossing over it. I had to wait for them to cross and then asked the standard question in English: "How are you doing?" We started to talk. Patrick, Rufus and Max were doing a six day hike going in the other direction than me. I got to the point in our conversation where I could drop the question: "Are you also walking with Jesus?" Not really, was the general response. Patrick said that he was Irish-Catholic, but not very devouted. I responded that Jesus never said to come and become a church member, but to come and follow him. "Where is Jesus leading you? What's your next step? It is more about relationship than ritual," I said. Patrick responded: "I like that perspective." I prayed for the three of them and encouraged them to get to know Jesus, to read his biography. Maybe by me making that wrong turn might have helped them to make a turn in the right direction...

Photo 4: "New sunglasses"

I did buy some cheap sunglasses at a store I passed earlier this morning. They are two pieces of polaroid hanging from a fragile plastic frame. They just need to hold together for another 46 days.

In the background of this picture to the right you will a commanding bull. His group of cows and calls were standing by an open gate that I was supposed to pass through. When he saw me, he stepped forward from the gate and took his stand opposite of me. I bowed my head and turned to the right. As I stood to take this picture, I was watching the bull to see what he would do, and relieved to see him turn back to the gate and lead his clan down the field. I decided to walk on the other side of the fence to keep a safe distance and take my chances getting over the barbed wire at the other end if the field. Fortunately there was a stable wooden structure where the fences from the two fields came together, so that could get over the fence without much trouble.

Photo 5: I much prefer seeing sheep in the open fields!