If in Fairlight, spend an hour and climb the steps of St.Andrews Tower
Once at the top then you will see that you’re 500 feet above the sea

Look to the North, let your gaze now fall, and there you’ll see Old Fairlight Hall
It’s turrets and the stonework in the woods below, beside the lane called Martineau

Keep looking North over field and trees, over Westfield and the vale of Brede
If you were closer then you would spy, the River Rother, en-route to Rye

Now lift your view to its full extent, and there, on the horizon, the Weald of Kent
Now look East, that’s to the right, and see the coast and cliffs, bright white.

Then further East across ‘La Manche’, look there, you see, the coast of France
Follow down the Cote d’Opale, look! There, you see, Boulogne- Sur-Mer

Now down the Channel and from the West, comes the view we perhaps know best
Sussex Downs and Beachy Head, look down on Eastbourne, a splendid view, just as we said

Now follow the coast as it comes your way, across the sea at Pevensey Bay
Bexhill, Bulverhythe and St Leonards too, all come towards you as you view

Your journey’s end is very near, as you look over Hastings with its derelict pier
Back at St Andrews, and I am sure that you enjoyed your circular, panoramic tour


© Norman Dengate