After a quick peek at the BBC Weather App we decided it was a day that may need some wet-gear and also a pre-sun rub-on, of factor 50! One thing you shouldn't do however, is to peek even further through the week at the forecast.....but I did, and it looked set fair for the foreseeable future. Experience has taught us to never leave out some degree of rain protection......be it an umbrella, wet trousers and jacket etc. Whatever the BBC says.
The plan from Footprints of Sussex, the organisers of this and the last 17 years of the Annual South Downs Way Walk, to have four splendid Worthing Coaches picking up fresh, keen walkers, from four different locations. We opted for Shoreham, others chose Worthing, Arundel or Chichester. 
A coach pass to each of us gave our pick-up times printed on the rear, which changed each day according to where we were to be dropped at the start of the walk. Sounds complicated but it wasn't, as looking back it ran like clockwork every day. A dedicated and smart coach took each group to the start which was planned for 9-45am to 10am each day. It was different on the return as a coach left each finish from around 2-30pm or when it filled up with tired walkers! Then there were two more coaches at interim times, once again only going when they filled up, plus of course, the last of the four coaches that left at 4.00 to 4-30pm as and when it filled up, with the proviso that all had finished. With two Footprints red-shirted marshals always at the rear there is never a problem! You will soon get the gist of how it works they said, as soon as we get into the next nine days!
As with all 'group' walks, there is the 'meeting up bit' where you all arrive at the pick-up point, seeing who you will be sharing the coach and possibly some of the walk with, over the next nine days. A mixed bunch with an assortment of ages, singles, couples, sisters and or course, those with dogs that are of course permitted on the walk. It's the first time for us but many have completed the walk several times, some as many as a dozen! Each direction, west to east, east to west....it alternates each year, the route even changes slightly as the rangers at the South Downs National Park adjust the paths, bridleways and byways to suit the foot traffic, horse and ever increasing cycle traffic to suit. So, 100 miles or so with a couple of alternatives for walkers to take the 'high ground' on footpaths where no other traffic is permitted. We also will find out that the coach cannot get right onto the 'Way" so tracks off to pubs and cafes are inevitable.....but it's a nice treat at the end and as you will see....also sometimes at the beginning!
We are on our way for the shortish road journey on the rather infamous A27 to our start from "The Kiosk' at Eastbourne. We notice the other side of the dual-carriageway is horrendously snarled up for miles and it transpires that one of our walkers is still sitting in this jam and misses the start today. The good, and bad news, is he manages to get back to Alfriston where he completes a 17 miles loop, catching us up at the end! This guy goes on to be one of the quicker walkers and we only see him again on the morning coach.
On arrival at Eastbourne there is no fuss and everyone on the 2 coaches that have so far arrived, set off, after the obligatory photoshoot, up a pretty steep hill for our real start. 
Huffing and puffing and a little misty we reach the first challenge of a sign post that conflicts with what Keith told us on the coach "it's easy, just follow the acorn signs". Half of us know instinctively or we have walked this section before, that the cliff-top path turns left whereas the 'acorn' says right. We ignore the sign and go left which proves to be correct and the 'Jevington' cycle-able, horse route takes the other direction!
Soon we are up on the perhaps most known and most photographed section of this popular walk. The skies overhead look threatening and a few raindrops could be felt, but in the distance towards Seaford, the direction our weather is coming from, the sun is shining and soon it shines on us. Passing the many crosses and bunches of flowers is a very sad spot where those who must have reached a massive 'low' in their lives decide to leave it all behind at this cliff.
Time for many of us to reflect, mainly in disbelief at this otherwise glorious place to be on earth. 
Passing by Belle Tout tower and down to Burling Gap for refreshments if you wish, or take a photograph of the ever eroding cliffs or perhaps just a well needed loo-stop. Up again and passing cottages with some stunning views, we remember the next section from a previous walk, up and down several times on the short, sharp and 7(8)*steep sisters! 
Lunch comes not a moment too soon with a nice rest in the lee of a hill sheltering from the gusting wind blowing your body and in your face making it almost impossible to stand up in! So this is why more people do the west to east direction! Rounding the last of our 'sisters' Cuckmere Haven, river and beach are occupied by hundreds of school children, probably all doing the same things as we did as children, checking the meanders & horseshoes ! on this geographically-picturesque river mouth. 
The path to the main road did not look too far, but a short hill section took us up and away before eventually descending into
Exceat where a cup of coffee was taken at the very pleasing cafe. We avoided cake knowing 'the ladies' had opened up the church hall in nearby Litlington village, where following a wonderful wooded section we happily arrived.
The church roof fund was topped up and it was time to walk just a mile along the Cuckmere River and into our first day's stop.
The Smugglers Inn was recommended by two, passing by, red-shirted Footprints 'marshals' who would be accompanying us and also back-marking for all the days we walk. A pint was welcome in this wonderfully historic pub looking every bit like you would imagine a smugglers hideout would look like, only to be dashed by the landlord who said that the atmospheric main bar used to be the local abattoir, adding that the blood had all been cleared up now! Our 2 red-shirts, true to their word, also enjoyed the local ale brewed nearby in Lewes by Harveys.
We met the coach for the return to Shoreham using their tried and trusted method of numbered and coloured tickets. If the following days are as good as this...........we can't wait!
*there is some debate that the 8th 'sister' is not significant enough to really count