Late August 2021 – Brighton and Eastbourne

14th August – Saturday – Cowes to Brighton

We left the large pontoon at the Folly Inn on the Isle of Wight at 5.50am.  It was beautifully calm and peaceful.  Cowes is rarely so quiet, we even managed to sneak out before the ferries started.

Cowes, Isle of Wight

Since our last sail past, several sets of Navigation Lights for the New British Aircraft Carriers, HM Queen Elizabeth and HM Prince of Wales, have appeared in the entrance into Portsmouth harbour.

The Solent Forts have had a spruce up too.  They have been converted into hotels, for the more adventurous.

Starting cloudy and warm, the day turned sunny and hot.  A gentle morning roll became rock and roll into Brighton at 15.30, after 54 miles.

15th August – Sunday – Brighton

Our friend Andy AKA ‘Dolly’ arrived at the boat at 11.00.  He has been having his own Grand Summer Adventure touring and working the festival circuit.  Smaller festivals have been the order of the day this year.  He has his own campervan and had been in Brighton for a couple of days.  He cycled to the marina where we had a Sunday Brunch Fry Up onboard and a catch-up.  We then all walked into town and locked up Dolly’s bike.

The zip wire is new since our last visit, and the old Volk’s Light Railway is still working (right).

We then walked the length of the pier and towards the route for the ‘Naked Cycle Ride’.  From the programme we thought as it was 2.30pm we had missed them.

So we went to find refreshment in a Wetherspoons near the Pavilion.  As we came out at 3.30pm the cyclists were passing by.

Hundreds of cyclists take part with the aim of ‘empowering’ participants in a celebration of bikes and body power.  It has been taking place for 15 years and finishes at the nudist beach.  Body paint and various decorations make for a colourful display.

After the excitement we went for a sit in the pavilion grounds and to listen to the Brass Band, with ice creams of course.

We walked the Lanes and onto North Laine, where Dolly had found the Prince Albert pub.

Oh go on then.

We ended a splendid day at the Curry Leaf Cafe in the Lanes.  Dolly found this too, top chap.  It was Southern Indian Cuisine, slow cooked and fragrant.

After eating we parted company, he cycled to his campervan, and we meandered down the prom to the marina.  Great day, lovely to see you Dolly, thanks for finding some great pit stops xxx.

We had Monday off.

17th August – Tuesday

After a Wetherspoons breakfast at the Marina we caught the number 7 bus into town, £5 all day ticket.  We could not face walking the prom again. 

We headed for the North Laine area, which is 4 streets of shops, which follow on from each other, you just think you have come to the end and then find another, I love it.  All life is here.  It is the busiest place we have been to since the restrictions were eased, but we are still wearing masks indoors.

Sorry, more food, at the Brass Monkey Ice Cream Parlour.  We haven’t had any cake since, the pieces were so big we struggled to finish them.

Needing to walk it off, we aimed for the beach.  These small shops in the archways were being constructed during our last visit.  They are perfect the independent traders.

Another Grand Day Out in Brighton.

18th August – Wednesday

A good walk was needed.  The weather was too windy to sail. 

I had spotted this walkway, called The Undercliff, the day before.  We were blown towards Rottingdean, the next small town, heading east, approximately 2 miles away.

Rottingdean appears to be proud of its history.  Sadly its name does not sell it so well.  Derived from the ‘Valley of the Rota people’ who were the Saxon inhabitants.  It came to prominence with the wool trade and then as the home of Artists and Writers.

The village pond marks the centre of the village.

‘The Elms’ was the home of Rudyard Kipling from 1897 to 1902, where he wrote the ‘Just So’ stories.  He left when the tourist arrived.  His garden however is a lasting legacy.

Entrance to Kipling’s Garden, bought from the estate by the Rottingdean Heritage Group and open to the public for free.

A rose garden and herb garden, amongst others, including a crocket lawn and a peaceful spot to rest for a while.

 

Sir Edward Burn-Jones and his wife Elizabeth lived in Prospect House from 1880 to 1898.  They were instrumental in their nephew Rudyard Kipling and PM Stanley Baldwin, making their homes here.

St Margaret’s Church.

 

Famous for several of Edward Burn-Jones stained glass windows.  Burn-Jones and William Morris were founding partners in the original business designing the famous ‘Morris’ textiles, ceramics, jewelry, tiles and tapestries.

The village was an unexpected treat.  The walk back against the wind was more arduous.

Sailors Info : Brighton Marina

The flats which were being constructed on our last visit are complete.  There is a comprehensive choice of eateries around the Marina Village and an ASDA.

The facilities have been substantially refurbished and make a big difference to a stay here.

£37 per night.  Wifi poor.  Laundry £6.  Easy access into town via buses and small tram.  It is a 50 minute walk to the pier.

Sailors will be pleased to see that the dredger is in constant use and is improving the depth on entry and throughout.

19th August – Thursday – Brighton to Eastbourne

Due to the tide we left Brighton at 05.45 to round Beachy Head at slack water.

Beachy Head.  It was a rocky morning until we rounded Beachy Head, I don’t think we have ever had a smooth passage here.  The sea state improved as we got into the lee of Beachy Head and headed to Eastbourne.

The picture of the lock shows just how much water is pumped in and out as the locks are operated.  Look at the marks on the walls compared to the level of the sea outside.

A short trip at only 22.6 miles taking just over 4 hours.  But very important to get right.  I steered for most of the first 3 turbulent hours and was grateful of a rest for the last hour.

Unusually I went to bed in the afternoon, the early start and extreme helming had finished me off.

20th August – Friday – Eastbourne

Another marina which is located out of town.  We walked for over an hour to reach the pier.

It was a sunny and blustery day.  View from the pier.

The pier has had a facelift since our last visit and is much improved, but not yet finished.

Eastbourne is a fine old English seaside town and has the buildings to prove it, along the sea front.

There is a large modern shopping centre behind the promenade and plenty of cafes and independent shops.

We ended the day in the Thai restaurant on the Marina.  One of the best we have had.  We booked again for Monday but sadly had to cancel as we got a weather window on Sunday.

Sailors Info: Eastbourne Marina

Sovereign Harbour is huge and is surrounded by many, many flats.  There are restaurants and shops, with an ASDA and other large retailers nearby.

The facilities are old school by very clean.  Socket available.  Laundry £5.40 but we had to use it this time.  Wifi poor.  £37 per night.

The only drawback is the long walk into town.  Cycling would be quicker.

We have not encountered any migrant boats so far, but the guy next door in Eastbourne arrived the following day and had seen 3 boats and numerous patrol boats.

Next stop Dover…..no Ramsgate.