From Sunrise to Sunset,Beachy Head to Birling Gap

A good walk,short drive or bus journey from the centre of Eastbourne is Beachy Head.One of Britain's highest chalk cliff walks,and a National Park to boot.With far reaching views over the sea,and from Eastbourne stretching all the way to Hastings.Which is indeed a sight to see at Sunrise.

You can also reach it by walking along the beach at low tide.Though be careful of the tides!You don't want to be trapped by an oncoming tide.

Beachy Head is so picturesque it has been used as a location for many movies,from James Bond to Harry Potter.

However it is a beauty spot with a dark side.With ghost stories and unfortunately a suicide spot.There's little crosses dotted along the cliffs edge.In memory to these lost souls.

Back to a lighter side.If your in need of refreshment there's a pub next to the main car parks.

If you're up here during Airborne.Which is again the biggest FREE airshow in the country.You will experience the thrill of the planes screeching just overhead.

Walk,cycle,drive or whatever all the way around this lush,windswept tree peninsular.Passing by a lighthouse and Para gliders to Birling Gap.With yes another pub(and Hotel).Down on the beach another natural phenomena.A white rocky reef,visible at low tide.

Time it right for the Sunset,and you will be in for a Sunset spectacular.As the red orange sun sizzles into the icy blue sea.

Blogs about Beachy Head

Some good Beachy Head photos

Heviz Hotel review

Rogner Hotel and spa Lotus Therme

Passing on by the Heviz lake for the time being,coming from Lake Balaton.We entered the Hotels grounds through a security checkpoint(To keep out the riff raff).Alongside the road was a canal brimming with water lillies.With a gardener up to his waist in weeding,wearing chest high fisherman wellies.Passing through the vast car park crammed full of BMW's and Mercedes with German number plates.

I drove straight up the hill,around a little roundabout at the top.Plonking our little red Clio right in front of the large reception glass doors.Then striding into the huge expanse of the welcoming lobby.A fresh cooling contrast to the stickiness outside.

"Guten Tag"(in Hungary!)

Surprised to be greeted in German.This would become a common occurrence,not only in the Hotel,but in this part of Hungary.The Hotel is Austrian owned,so well marketed over there it seemed.As it was overflowing with our Germanic neighbours.I was the only British person,and my wife 1 of only a handful of Hungarians.(Other than the staff,who spoke impeccable German,but were relieved to converse in Hungarian and practice English).

The receptionists face immediately opened up.1st after my feeble attempts at Hungarian,and realising I was English.So she promptly re spun the introduction in English.Then when my wife stepped in,she was overjoyed to speak in Hungarian.

The porter who had helped us with our bags to our room,didn't even wait for a tip.Though I had been fumbling for it in 1 of my bags.Honest!

Our room was larger than our studio flat in Brighton.Complete with a King size bed,white cotton linen and white curtains draped over the French windows leading onto the balcony,overlooking the pool and gardens(the Hotels main focus).We immediately opened up the doors,made ourselves 1 of the complimentary healthy teas.And lounged on the comfy study chairs on the balcony(a lovely warm sun trap)gazing upon the view.Ahh!!!

Since we had arrived late.We decided to forgo the pleasure of the pool for the time being.Instead just to relax here,before showering and getting tarted up for the evening.

Beginning with a complimentary drink in the Cocktail bar(Rude to say "no").Then moving on to the restaurant,with both an inside and outside area.We stayed outside to enjoy the early evening.The warmth of the dying sun on our skin,accompanied with a slight fresh breeze.Sampling the local wines and the 'a la carte'menu.With a wide selection of Continental and Hungarian specialities.I had just missed out on the Balaton fish(carp) soup.Though they reassured me that I would have it tomorrow.And this I surely did.Although the restaurant was almost full to capacity,during our little stay.It never felt crowded and noisy.There was a Hungarian Gypsy band playing.Though not coming around to your table,until you paid them to leave.Like what you might find in some too touristy place in Budapest.

The following morning we were awoken before our alarm.By conversations down by the pool,since we had left our window open.Though we had wanted to wake up early to enjoy our only full to the max.This seemed a bit too extreme.I stared at the time through sleepy eyes.Don't people realise they're on holiday.Dragging myself away from the comfort of the firm bed and warmth of my wife.With a coffee in hand,to force myself awake.To see who these early risers were.Naturally they were middle ages Germans performing their early morning exertions(exercising,dancing in the pool and singing).More energy than me!

Venturing down for Breakfast.With once again a bountiful of provisions on hand.We sat outside in the full heat of the morning sun,dripping with sweat.

This spurred us into the main activity of the day.Enjoying the pool.All the thermal water coming from Heviz itself.We set up station on a couple of sun loungers.My wife went off for more drinks.While I dived in for instant refreshment.The pool was round like a roundabout with a little island in the middle,spruced up with flowers.To one side a swimming channel led off under a footbridge to the indoor pool and spa.Beyond the pool area were the grounds like a country park.Paths leading off,bushes and trees abounded and sun loungers scattered everywhere.

We stayed outside until about midday.Lounging and daydreaming,interspersed with swimming spells.While sipping a few non and alcoholic beverages(were not alcoholics you know!)

Then we swam through to the inside.Entering into a blue tiled pool with a fresher feel.At the head of it,a raised jacuzzi.While to the side,around the corner were 2 more thermal pools.The furthest being the hottest.There were a handful of people enjoying the various sensations in each pool.Behind the jacuzzi,through a series of doors was the sauna section.With a variety on offer(Swedish,aromatherapy,colour therapy and a Turkish steam bath).Through another door,we stumbled upon a nudist colony.Hmmm!Lots of middle aged well fed naked people.We decided to forgo these pleasures,and instead limiting our indulgence with the saunas.

Then swimming back outside to laze by the pool again.Before walking to the Heviz lake.

Back at the Hotel and gorging on another dinner(fish soup).Staying up till quite late enjoying the warm summer air next to the pool.While continuing with our tour of the local wines.The only noisy distraction,believe it or not.Was a loud Japanese group playfully jumping in and out of the pool.But in a very polite wayof course.

We awoke the next day,with that dreaded feeling that our'Escape had come to an end'.And the realities of life have captured us again.So with a longing in us to stay and do it all over again.We had to leave.But until next time!

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