With just one major climb, today's ride was one of the flattest of the entire trip. As a result, I did a lot less panting than on other days in this trip. Hence today's title. The main climb was actually on the way out of Hastings. Rising to over 500 feet with some very steep sections it was a bit of a challenge, but by now we were flying up all but the steepest inclines.
Before reaching Hastings, we made good progress from Eastbourne through Peavensy and into Bexhill. The wind was very light and while taking a short break, on he sea front, we watched a sailing race grind to a halt. It was odd to a see even racing catamarans at a complete standstill.
After Hastings, and a short break to rebuild Andrew's' rear light which fell off after a particularly violent encounter with a large pothole, we began another flat section through Fairlight, Rye, Camber and Lydd. As we arrived at a level crossing with the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch railway, we spotted smoke in the distance. We just had time to set up cameras before one of the narrow gauge steam locomotives appeared, hauling a train towards Romney. With this encounter, I achieved a boyhood ambition, to see these steam locomotives. They are effectively working scale models of full size engines.
Before checking in to our B&B we visited the lighthouses at Dungeness. They are situated alongside the two nuclear powerstations. Dungeness A is being decommissioned, a process which will take about 100 years. Dungeness B is still producing some 1200 megawatts and will do so for about another decade.
Today's picture is of Pett Level, east of Hastings and looking towards Dungeness with Dover beyond.
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