WITH the weather like it is the time was definitely right to continue my current trend of visiting boozers outside the city.

In search of the perfect country pub and a walk that would build up a good thirst I headed to Beachy Head to take in the air.

It’s easy to get there on the number 12 from Brighton anyway, and it was a lovely view of the coast from the top deck.

What a sight it is when you get there, looking across the Downs and out to sea. As I walked inland from Birling Gap, as I headed up the hill, I realised I must have been close to the spot where Kevin Costner, in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, landed at the beach and held the sand to his face, declaring ‘I’m home’.

Then when I stood at the top of the first hill I was also close to the where they shot scenes for the Quidditch World Cup at the start of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Anyway enough about that, if you want to see what I’m going on about Google it and you can see the clips on YouTube.

The point is that you cannot really do a piece on this week’s choice without heading to the bright outdoors first to take in the air.

The experience of going to The Tiger Inn, at East Dean, starts best with a good walk.

It’s probably only about a mile from the beach to the pub but it meanders over those hills and as you head into East Dean it is a scene of bucolic perfection.

The invigorating feelings that you’ve already got are added to if you arrive past the old schoolhouse.

It has a lovely plaque telling how the Second World War evacuees who stayed there had recently returned and reminisced about their happy time there.

Talking of plaques, as you get to the village green outside the pub, there’s a blue plaque on an old farmhouse telling you this is where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle retired his hero Sherlock Holmes, where he could keep his bees and live in perfect tranquility.

So basically, after that lovely walk, the Tiger Inn was going to have to be spectacularly bad to make it a bad day out.

That was unlikely as it is the quintessential country pub; ducking your head under the lintel as you go in, walk over the worn entrance stone and you’re in with the log fire on your left and the big tiger’s head next to the bar, staring at you.

I enjoyed a cracking pint of Longman. A proper pub drink in a cracking pub.

Everyone inside seemed to be in a good mood. The numerous barmaids and barmen were happy to be there.

The world and his wife came in while we were there, having done similar country walks.

One chap who came in was very posh and very loud, the kind of tally-ho chap that would have led the hunt, had one been on. Groups of strong legged trekkers came in with their boots on to enjoy the refreshments.

I expect many, like us, would have enjoyed a late lunch but food was not available until the evening.

At first it felt like a bit of a blow but then I quite liked the idea that it was a drink only situation like the old days.

The children in the bar were enjoying lemonade and lime and crisps, making me all nostalgic.

I loved the cricket scoreboard in the toilet too.

Is The Tiger Inn the perfect country pub? Probably. The green outside means you can drink and smoke while you’re there and children can run around as there’s no road until you get further up the hill.

I left before long to get back on that coaster bus, having enjoyed a great visit to the East Sussex country side.

I took a stroll back up the hill, through the woods and back across the Downs.

And wow, if the walk there was good, try having a couple of pints and then enjoying the view towards the sea on a bright day.

It was the sort of trip that made you glad to be alive and glad to be living in Sussex.

Yes I had a little snooze on the bus so missed the sights on the way home, but that only made it the more relaxing an afternoon.

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