Rye Harbour

In complete contrast to Monday's slight washout, Tuesday was bright, sunny and warm as we got to Rye Harbour.  We parked at the harbour car park - which is free (a rare thing these days) and set out to walk down to the sea, following the line of the River Rother.

Rye Harbour, is a vast area of salt marsh, shingle, salt lagoons, flooded gravel pits and reed beds. Looked after by the Sussex Wildlife Trust, it is an internationally important nature reserve...

 with wide-open scenery and big skies.

The shingle banks are dotted with many specialist seaside plants. Among the most numerous and eye-catching have to be the Sea Kale. There is also Yellow Horned Poppy, Viper's Bugloss, Teasel, Mulleins and many more to discover.

Along the track which follows the river down to the sea, a small, black hut with a distinctive red roof, breaks the flat skyline. Used as a 'beach hut' by the Honeysett family of the town of Rye back in the 1930's, there is no indication of it's current use.

The wildlife here is superb. In just the short time we were there, we spotted several bird species - even without the aid of binoculars - including Avocets, Little Terns and these spectacular Shelduck.

Turning back to the car park, we passed this grade II listed Martello Tower. Built in 1806 to help defend the South Coast against the ravages of Napoleonic forces. Now, just an interesting landmark on the edge of a caravan park.

After a short break at the car, we then set out for a long walk up into the town of Rye itself. But more of that tomorrow.