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Published: November 9th 2014
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23
rdHayling Island to Brighton 37nm
0-Dark hundred departure!! Think it was about 4am as we had to get across the bar before low tide. I was worried about fish traps/lobster pots, but we didnt’ see any until just before light, then phil went up on the bow for about 20mins with a torch, but didn’t see any again after that. Once it got light enough to see, he came back. It’s getting light much later now, but fortunately all the traps we saw (and we saw heaps) were closer to Brighton (probably as that’s where all the fishing boats are) Got to Brighton just before lunch. We had ordered some anti-foul to be delivered so were pleased we would be able to collect that ourselves instead of being charged 5pound by marina office to sign for it!! Went and found Pip from ‘Wanda’ working in the chandlery and then explored the little marina village (town is about a 5min bus trip away) In the middle of a square they have table tennis tables with bats and balls just sitting there for anyone who wants to play...of course we couldn’t resist!! After many phonecalls (as antifoul had not been delivered) we
finally got confirmation that it would arrive at 5pm. So we waited up near the road for the delivery van. The guy was a temp the company had got in for the day, didn’t really know his way around, and couldn’t understand the instructions to leave tins at marina office, so had left it till last. Never mind, once he finally answered his phone, the company told him we would meet him on the street. All sorted!! Dinner that night with Kevin and Pip from Wanda.
7am start this time...to keep with the currents. Had to get into Marina through a lock - suddenly there are all these fishing vessels pounding their way to the lock as well – they must just come out on one opening, check their pots and then race back in. Eastbourne marina is lovely – expensive, but lovely. Heaps of room, great staff, clean showers, we could stay here for ages...except for the cost!! We were going up to London though, so wanted a safe place to leave boat!
25
th September
Took the train to Louise and Simon’s place (that’s who I used to Nanny for). (Well, first a bus
into Brighton, then another bus back to Havant...then finally a train almost to London and back down to Louise’s) Of course now, all the kids are grown up, Naomi is away studying a business degree – in her final year. Sam is away studying Drama in London and George and Annie are at home, both very busy with school and social lives. So great to catch up with Louise and Simon again. Say that each time..also say, next time we’ll stay longer...and really we should, they have a great annex ready and waiting for us to use!!
26
th – 28
th September
Up to London for the weekend a) to watch Ant and Tamsyn in ‘The Great River Race’ a 21km gig race up the Thames, and b) to meet up with Briony who is over here for a work study trip!! She had been down in Cornwall and was coming by train with Tamsyn to Paddington station. As she wasn’t used to the tube and all, we met her at the station and took her back to the hotel. We had previously checked in at about 3pm, explored our surroundings and found a great Indian restaurant
for dinner. So great to catch up with Briony again...and strange to be doing it in London!!
The next day we explored a bit of London, before going to the Thames to watch the start of the race. We had planned our tube stations needed and the rest of the bridges that we were going to see and cheer on A&T. We got our possie...didn’t know the boat number or anything, but finally saw them, and yelled out loud enough for them to actually hear and wave back!! Raced back to the tube station to go to the next bridge....only to find out that 2 lines were closed for the rest of the day...the 2 lines that we needed. There was no way we were going to be able to get to the rest of the bridges in time by bus (as was suggested) and then back to our hotel in time for dinner....and War Horse!!!! So we decided to head back to our hotel. Glad we did, took way longer getting back, trains were all full due to the other 2 being closed....and we got back pooped!! Just had time for a quick cuppa, short relax, shower, dress-up
and then go on out again. We found the theatre, and then found a great Thai restaurant nearby.
War Horse was amazing. I had somehow managed to get seats just 3 rows back from the stage. It was amazing. Not feel good happy endings, funny laughs etc, but we knew that, we all knew the story, it was just amazing to see it on stage. The horse puppets were so life-like. The sounds and mannerisms were done so well by the actors. Great night out
Had breakfast together the next morning before Briony went on her way to explore London on the big bus and we went to another train station to meet A&T for coffee. They were a bit stiff and sore from their efforts but thoroughly enjoyed it and are already talking about ‘next year’. They had some time before their train, so they went off to explore and we caught our train-bus-train-bus back to Eastbourne!
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