Worthing and its Mueum and Art Galley and homeward bound

I am home and while my visits to Brighton, Shoreham and Worthing are already part of the past as I cope with the demands of today and tomorrow some experiences remain vivid and noteworthy and appropriate for public communication.

While Brighton had become a cosmopolitan seaside city catering for everyone from the cultured and sophisticated to the partying yob, Worthing remains a traditional seaside resort favoured by those seeking to raise their children in a family orientated community. Brighton also appeals to families as somewhere to visit for events or special shopping but for day on day life Worthing appears to tick all the family boxes, and where for older people like me I suspect there is more of community atmosphere, although one can feel isolated or lonely, without a purpose or sense of involvement in whatever environment one is in.

I cannot remember if the resort was visited during my childhood when the “aunties” spent two week summer stays at Hasting, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis. My memory until this week was of a two night stay at the Worthing seafront Travel Lodge three years ago in a cell like single bedded room over a weekend although for only £10 a night in summer one cannot complain. I had a delightful Sunday morning listening to traditional Jazz in a Piazza sitting on a provided bench seat as well as enjoying the Promenade and Pier.

As with many seaside resorts there are hotels, apartments restaurants on the promenade roadside, including a traditional Tea Rooms adjacent to the local information office on either side of the entrance to one of several places of entertainment, a cinema, the Dome one of the oldest working cinemas in the UK. the Ritz Digital has 3D and Dolby sound while the Connaught Theatre also functions as a Cinema. There is everything from rock to classical concerts at the Assembly Halls, and the Pavilion Theatre off the Promenade at the entrance to the pier offers traditional fare.

There is a prize Bingo Hall, the Aquamarina, Ten Pin bowling for those seeking more participative activity as well as a range of leisure and sports centres and open spaces. It is also possible to park albeit at premium rates alongside the beach a few feet across from the pavement although it was free overnight and throughout Sunday when I previously visited.

There is a good range of shops along Montague Street and Brighton Road parallel to the coast with Chapel Road and the High Street Steyne run from the sea front inland with the Montague and Guildbourne Shopping centres There is off road family housing within walking of the town centre and reported excellent schooling. There are also a good price range of places to eat and drink to suit all pockets including several showing live sport.

My visit provided the opportunity to experience the Worthing Museum and Art Gallery with exhibits on two floors and an outside garden area used to show sculpture. The Museum and Gallery building is situated next to the Town Hall and adjacent to the Public Library at one end of the shopping area on the way from the station although not in as advantageous position for the outside visitor as that in South Shields created from the former public Library building and located in the main pedestrian thoroughfare for those using the Metro train terminus and adjacent bus station.  Having said this it is in an ideal location for residents with the public library and other council and public use buildings.

The weather cleared sufficiently for me to view all the available work of local creative artist Serena Thirkell who counts Edward Bourne Jones among her ancestors. While her work makes use of bits of machinery and discarded garden tools her human likeness figures, creatures and objects are skilfully and cleverly professionally finished to the highest standards but which nevertheless enable anyone to own one of her works from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds and will find a place in a contemporary living room or any form of garden or patio area. I would have purchased if my circumstances were modestly different.

There is opportunity to view her work in a three minute video on You Tube from the present exhibition which has been extended until September, Serena Thirkell @ Worthing Museum and Art Gallery or at her own site SerenaThirkell.co.uk where she has two albums of work of insects from 2009 and Sculptures 2008-2009 available. There are 12 videos of present and former exhibitions from the museum and art galley linked on You Tube, including one on Punch and Judy which attracted the attention of a group of the disabled adults with learning difficulties during my visit. There was a local BBC news feature on the exhibition recently and which was given an Arts Council grant associated with the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. I was also interested to see the Patching Coins on display and the recently restored 18th century court dress from the impressive costume collection.

Founded in 1908 with the help of Carnegie funds and the first Mayor of Worthing the Museum and Galley continues to fulfil the ambitions of it’s founder to provide an education heart in the town with a series of ten sessions between February and August for families with children as well as twice weekly programme designed for local schools. There is also an important Friends organisation which in addition to a series of lectures and to special showings and other events has raised substantial funds in support of new ventures.

On the Monday evening I had watched England play France and in truth this was the first time I got into the Euro 2012 competition. I had been torn between supporting the home side Poland and their opponents Greece in the 1.1 opening match and hoped both side went through to the quarterfinals although Russia looked invincible against the Czech Republic who they whipped 4.1 and when Poland drew with Russia these looked the two likely tems as Greece lost to the Czechs. However the maths left any of the four teams still able to progress depending on the results of the two games played at the same time last night. The outcome was extraordinary because Greece beat Russia 1.0  with a dramatic defensive game throughout the second half and went through despite having the same  points and worse goal difference because of the head to head win and did so the night before they go to the Polls again to see if they can achieve a government prepared to carry out what is demanded of them to stay in European Currency and moved towards greater financial integration which implicitly means greater political integration. It should not be forgotten that Greece was the unlikely winners of the competition in 2004.  In the other game the Czechs beat Poland who and their chances early on and also went through heading the mini league.

The England game against France was a dour affair with both teams concentrating on not losing. England scored first with a header from Olson Lescott from a captain Steven Gerrard free kick in a controversial line up which and seen him give a chance to 18 year old Oxlade-Chamberlain the surprise selection in the squad as well as well as  Welbeck who I had watched when playing on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United.   Andy Carroll was not selected. France looked the more attacking team so it was not a surprise when they equalised and England had to hold out for much of the second half.  Having said that I was impressed with the team spirit and approach although in reality they could not pass accurately when playing under pressure and at speed. The overall team playing skills are not good enough. The other co hosts for the competition the Ukraine beat Sweden 2.1 which was not a surprise. 

France then beat the Ukraine in the early match on Friday evening which I was able to view while unpacking and settling back home 2.0 and looked good value as head of the group and should also win against Sweden on Tuesday although the Swedes have a vast travelling army and will not want to go home without at least a point. This gives the game away as obviously it means that England beat Sweden on the evening match. However the outcome was far from certain until the final whistle and which led some commentators claiming it had been the match of the competition to date.

For this game the new Manager had included Andy Carroll and left out Oxlade-Chamberlain who had performed well enough without being outstanding. The decision proved a brilliant one when captain Steven Gerrard hit another brilliant free kick at pace onto the head of a rising Carroll who executed a copy book move into the back of the net giving the goal keeper no chance. There was great excitement in the land and the commentary team as England had failed to win a competitive game against Sweden for decades.

I continued to watch after Sweden equalised but turned away to the cricket when they went 2.1 up and all appeared lost. Unbeknown to me at the time the Manager decided to bring on Theo Walcott, the Arsenal player who had also been brought to an important international competition at the age of 18 but had not played. It can be argued that giving him experience proved a good decision because I switch back on to the game to see him hit what in truth was a speculative long range shot with a swerving finish into the net at 64 minutes and it was game on. He was also instrumental in the winning goal in the best move of the match as he darted into the penalty area and passed the ball to Welbeck who did a brilliant, extraordinary back flick into the net with no other route possible because of the tight defence.

A draw against the home side the Ukraine on Tuesday will see England into the quarter finals, a development which many suggested would not happen. I have two £10 bets for them to win the competition to kick start the Olympic Games season where I read that the BBC is going to add 20, yes 20 extra channels to provide live coverage of every event plus repeats and where Sky 3D channel will take 8 hours of the live Eurosport 3D coverage plus 4 hours of highlights programmes a day.

It is time to add a word about the new Manager Roy Hodgson whose appointment I favoured over the push Harry Rednapp who has his supporters. Harry has now been sacked by fourth place finishing Tottenham Hotspurs with the official reason  given that he did not achieve a Championship League position, a ludicrous reason given that in any other year when a team reaches fourth they would be placed and that only  a win by another home side will prevent this. Harry says he is not retiring so we will see given his refusal to move home from the south coast and his ill health. Hodgson in my view could deliver the next World Cup so if he does not achieve the Euro championship, as everyone expects, then the way he is carrying out the present mission augurs well. However the Ukraine at home will prove a challenge. There is a report that England fans are being investigated for an attempted pitch invasion at the end of their game against Sweden in which they were outnumbered five to one by the Swedish fans.

German and Portugal are expected to go through in the third group with Germany certain while Spain and Croatia who play  against each other will both go through if they draw and whoever was to win while the defeated side in this game would not progress if Italy beat a poor Northern  Ireland side in their final game. My last day in Brighton was not a great one with poor weather and wanting to watch the appearance of the Prime Minister at the Lord Leveson Inquiry. I managed to find a Timpson’s to replace my shoe laces which were coming undone every time I went walking and I purchased a three pack of chicken sandwiches from Boots for the journey home. I had hoped to have a good walk in the evening after the meal at the Wethersoon’s but it came on to rain hard so I retreated to my room

I set the alarm for six am using both mobile phones just to make sure and had completed most of the packing before going to bed. I was ready to depart after a cup of coffee around 6.45 and with good weather outside I decided to walk the half mile to station up the hill taking time as I was a good hour in advance of my original schedule. I arrived just after seven and went to the ticket office to check if I could travel by any route as I suspected was possible as I had not been allocated a seat on a particular train.

This was confirmed  and I was therefore able to take a seat in the Thameslink stopping train to St Pancras which left at 7.30 and which should have arrived around 9 taking the same time as the First Capital Connect to Victoria and then Underground and long walk. However the train crawled after East Croydon arriving just before at 9.30. I have yet to work out if this because the train appears to now go via Tulse Hill and Herne Hill to the Elephant and Castle bypassing London Bridge before going to the platform increased to take 12 coach trains at Blackfriars and Farringdon. Despite the two hour journey and the train crowding out making use of the computer difficult avoiding having to use the Tube, the stairs and the walking was well worth it.

At Kings Cross I debated buying a bacon roll and coffee but settled for eating the chicken sandwiches followed by coffee and crisps on the train from the trolley. At 10 15 and no announcement about a departure platform I made my way to the area before the platforms passing through the entrance barrier and with one of the two trains in stations was announced as for Leeds I assumed the other was for Newcastle. Then the announcer explained that the there was a delay with boarding not for another ten minutes. This was because the train had not arrived although it did so few minutes later and because of my position and holding the other passengers before the departure board; I was able to get on as soon as the arriving passengers departed. Finding the allocated compartment had seats with fixed arm rests and checking out the next which was the same I took the first table available.

The station announcer had explained that seat reservations were cancelled as a consequence of the short turn around period. It   was quickly evident that not everyone understood the implications of this and made their way to the seats shown on their tickets with the consequence of several heated exchanges when they discovered the seats already occupied. Some were willing to change including one man on his way to York who was persuaded to move by two couples who had arranged to pass the journey playing bridge. He switched to my table sitting in the aisle seat opposite and although the compartment quickly filled we had the table to ourselves for the remainder of the journey. Apart from a coffee and a packet of crisps which cost an exorbitant £3 and remembering to ensure I took the right case off the train there was nothing noteworthy until I entered the house at the front forgetting that I left the key for the door between the hallway and the rear in the day room and then when I went to the rear I could not find the back door key which was among the change I had emptied from my suit. I had to return for the spare before having full access to the property.

I checked the plants and then went for milk and other supplies before unpacking and getting ready to watch England play Sweden in the European Cup while listening to Durham play Yorkshire in their first 20 20 game of the season at Headingley while going through the post which included the tickets for the one day 50 over game against Australia in July. I was well and truly home and Brighton was quickly becoming another memory.

Brighton views

Brighton today retains few of the images of my childhood although no one would hope to experience again my earliest memory which occurred soon after the war in Europe ended and when the beach had not been cleared of its defences. My first visual memory of the seaside is looking from the promenade over the barbed wire and anti tank emplacements at the sea for the first time, followed by a meal at cafe the other side of a deserted Kings Road having been able to park on the upper promenade roadside.

I also possess visual images and feelings from the years of the decade between 1934 and 1956 of a coach trip in what appeared to be a solid traffic jam all the way from Brighton back home and of packed special excursion trains followed by the walk down the hill from the station to the pebble beach packed with day trippers, of starting to cry when the aunties went to the loo leaving me alone at the station for what seemed a long time, of being picked up and dropped into the ocean by the eldest cousin who had returned from being a POW in the war and who was still very much a boy despite his traumatic experiences in North Africa, Italy and central Europe.

It was not the 1980’s that I commenced to  revisit including a stay at the Grand Hotel attending a conference, taking the “aunties” for a day return by car visit and then in the 1990’s returning, often by car passing through the Town on the way to the County Cricket ground at Hove to watch Durham play Sussex. I recall one visit in the 1990’s when I was able to park the vehicle on the lower promenade and walked the full length of the pier something I did not do again until my visit in the evening sunshine of June 13th 2012 .

The Pier is now only one symbol of the many faces of a town that became a City in 2000 and which many regard as London by the sea.  While I appreciate why this observation is made it is not one I share except that the large area of the Laines to the north of the Lanes has similarities with Camden because of the nature of the stores than say the Shambles in York, while the area in which the Travel Lodge when I am staying is located is similar to that of the Newcastle Quayside, to Whitely Bay and South Shields in the North East or Blackpool in the North West than any part of London. While there are likely to be more homosexual and Lesbian individuals and couples throughout London, the concentration in Brighton results in a higher general visibility and same applies in relation to conference visitors. Similarly, despite the University of Sussex having its campus outside the city and Brighton University covering campuses in Eastbourne, Hastings, Moulescoomb and at Falmer outside the city centre. I obtained the same feel as a town with a high dependency on students as one does in Newcastle or Sunderland.

There is also the cosmopolitan feel with plenty of ethnic run or ethnic specialising stores and restaurants although there is no sense of the ethnic ghettos that now dominate large areas of the capital, and in fact if anything Brighton which used be considered a working class seaside resort for Londoners along with Southend and Margate has become increasingly gentrified. This was evident on my walk along the pier, observing passers when sitting in Churchill Square, or buying food in Marks and Spencers.

The pier still retains three traditional features as somewhere you can buy ice cream, rock and candyfloss, fish and chips and food on the go, as where you can quickly lose all your change playing slot machine which offer much but provide less and thirdly where to can sit sheltered or in full sunshine on a bench or deckchair and enjoy the sea air and views along the coast to the Sussex downs.  I noted that the seating was occupied by a number of people on their own of both sexes who were evidently local rather than visitors and I suggest some visit on a regular basis when the weather permits. The pier opens at ten and closes at night to prevent use by the homeless and the beggars. While entrance to the pier is free I suspected that security will prevent the street people from using the pier to beg, sell the Big Issue or as a place to rest and pass the day. I also noted  one area of fast food concession which offered Noodles, Fried Rice and Indian Spice and that an Asian gentleman was serving in the kiosk offering Belgian Waffles.

Cornet ice creams were on offer from £1.99 to £2.99 and the tub at £2.50.  Cod/fish and chips can become a luxury food according to the establishment with one near pier restaurant offering £3.70 for the fish £1.40/£2 for chips whereas the Mariner‘s restaurant  kiosk on the pier offered fish and chips for £6.50 or a family size offering of chips for £4. The restaurant where the price rose to £8 was closed for a function which I wondered if this was the for the GMB union which was holding its conference and where on the Tuesday evening I noted flyers for the Socialist Party of Great Britain fringe meeting aimed at conference delegates.

There are two slot machine arcades, one  a huge hall where I paid particular attention the horse racing game where ten pence purchases one of six horses who offer returns from twenty pence to two pounds and where as a young person I  loved participating in the long track multi horse races which required every horse to be purchased by a visitor. No longer are there housey housey (Bingo) games which also required a full number of participants and which are now a feature of online electronic gambling, offering significant financial prizes.

The famous Palace theatre by which the Pier is known has long since been demolished and not replaced but the large end of pier area has now been given over to a large number of dramatic thrill rides costing from £2 to £5 in £1 tokens with the offer of £30 for £20.

The star attraction is the Booster, a tall 37 meter single swing arm in which the person is held with legs free and where four passengers at each end are swung thirteen revolutions a minute at speed for £5 individually £40 a time. There was a Flume ride to one side and two roller coasters and well as the biggest ghost train house I have seen, the traditional helter skelter, horse roundabout, one way dodgem cars and Waltzer and for £2 you could have three attempts to ride bull with a prize if you stayed on for more than thirty seconds. There was also trampolines and bounce mats as well as rides for little people. A large over 18’s only drinking hall was closed with redevelopment work going on one end while the second at the end of the posh fish and chip restaurant was packed with those enjoying the ability to drink in the open air if they were not interested in the early evening football match.

Adjacent to the entrance to the pier is a large wheel  50 metres in height  similar to that now also at York and less than half the height of the London Eye at 120 metre. The cost ranged from £8.50 adults to the hire of a unit which for the maximum adults(6) and children(2) worked out more favourably, or where the VIP unit included a private waiting area and glass bottom floor, luxury seating for 4 at £55 or with a half bottle of champagne £75. Unlike the walk in an stand London Eye where you get a single revolution, here you get three and of course the time it takes to unload and reload passengers. With the pier closed on my early morning walk I had sat for a while on the only available roadside promenade seat to watch the daily maintenance and safety checks. Since a situation on a pier ride some years ago the Pier Management, part of the Noble organisation, has its own Health and Safety on-site manager.

Talking of comfortable seating, I noted the up market nature of the drink establishments along the beach side included some settees and comfy chairs and not a deck chair in sight, including on the beach where there were a surprising number of people stretched out in the late afternoon. No one was in the sea though!

While there are arts and crafts outlets on the lower promenade there is only one area of traditional fish and chip restaurants along the Brighton Beach, around the corner from the Travel Lodge, Odeon and Brighton Centre Complexes.  There are then hotels including a large Thistle which  boasts a Faulty Towers style restaurant, and then the fish and chip restaurants, rock shops where Kings Road become the Grand Junction Road, north of which are the Lanes, the Old Stein with the National Express Coach station and the internationally famous Royal Pavilion. I have now stayed in Brighton twice in this decade, promising myself a visit to the Pavilion and to Cineworld at the new Marina complex. I have on a previous day trip visit to city used the train which goes from the just after  the pier  close to Marina complex. Before talking about some of the other faces of Brighton I must mention finding one establishment on my exploration which offered either the Original Opera Mayhem or a clone group were three zany singers sings well known arias and also comedy numbers such as a sung moonlight Sonata three or maybe four nights a week from 8pm with no additional entrance fee and meals at reasonable prices. I noted the eat all you can breakfast for under £6.

Talking of food I abandoned my usual practice of buying in pan au chocolate and Danish pastries for breakfast and enjoyed a bacon roll on Monday morning, a £2.98 traditional breakfast at the Wetherspoons a few doors up from Hotel on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and did not need anything on Wednesday settling for just a cup of coffee.

For midday I had a mixture with an excellent albeit expensive Penne with chicken and mushrooms at Ask, Worthing with a  dish of green olives starter and a bottle of still water and ice, with salami soft rolls one day, and a small M and S Baguette  filled with salami chunks on Tuesday and Wednesday and a Boots Ham and Pickle Sandwich on Thursday together with an orange juice part of the Boots £3.29 meal deal. I enjoyed the carrot cake slice with a cup of tea later in my room. My other treats were a small packet of salted peanuts at lunchtime which led to the purchase of a can of coke from a nearby local store, used on previous occasions for can of cold coke and cold water all at premium prices although not as expensive as the bottle of coke available at the Travel Lodge for £1.50 and then an 80p choc bar with nuts. I enjoyed salami rolls one evening with a cuppa soup and had a burger meal with a diet Pepsi at McD one evening for £2.73 and a beef Burger and chips with Pepsi on two evenings at the Wetherspoons at £ 3.98.

I did not have a great night on Sunday only managing to use the sleep Apnea machine for one session as although tired my head was buzzing with the events of the day. I woke well before six and counted the minutes when I though I would be able to  go to the Wetherspoons for a bacon roll. Alas when I approached the entrance a sign proudly boasted we are open at eight o clock whereas my local starts at seven, or at least did. I walked on up the hill. There were a plethora of coffee shops along the Western Road with the entrance to Churchill indoor shopping mall on the left side as I walked towards Hove. I also noted a McD across from a KFC and continued my walk passed the store which has the greatest variety of olives anywhere encountered. deciding to return in order to reach the Wetherspoons just after eight. However on reaching McD I could wait no longer and enjoyed one of their bacon rolls for just under £2 which is premium pricing given that a McD burger with chips and a drink cost under £3. Later I saw a Subway offer of a bacon or sausage roll with coffee for £2. This thoroughfare after Churchill Square runs parallel to the coast and provides local shopping and restaurant eating primarily for residents and workers.

On returning to my room I rested and then prepared to watch former Prime Minister Gordon Brown appear before the Leveson Inquiry. I was only able watch the first hour before deciding I did not want to watch further. He always possessed a self righteous manner emphasising his Scottish Kirk upbringing and now he reminded of Ted Heath, a man who never appeared to accept rejection by his own party with the rise of Margaret Thatcher. I am also concerned about someone who keeps saying he must tell the truth. Like Ted Heath I thought Brown sounded pathetic and also a man who hoped for vindication and a summons to lead a political party and become Prime Minister once more. I cannot see him settling for a Ministerial post like Ian Duncan Smith or William Hague, two other Tory party leaders who were rejected by the populace rather than their own party.

I wrote the above on Monday evening after watching the news reports and taking a quickly look at the on line transcript so my judgement is more soundly based than the brief experience of watching him live which I thought sad and embarrassing. I have now seen former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and John Major as well as current Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister  Clegg and  Party Leader Ed Miliband and Deputy Leader Harman, George Osborne and Hunt, plus Business Secretary Cable and I thought they all came out of their sessions with reputations protected and some strengthened. The one exception is Brown whom in my judgement has got his just deserts from the Electorate, his colleagues and now at the Leveson Inquiry.

Looking outside and seeing it was dry I decide to go on an explore of the Lanes, commencing in the southern group adjacent to the hotel and then walking northward towards the station when the running off from the Laines are streets of colourful terrace cottages. There are several hundred stores leading some to describing the area as Camden by the sea and with similar inflated pricing for food and drink. There innumerable dress shops, antique/craft stores.

It was only on return  that I realised my interest on the walk and on a  previous walk was not in the Tourist trap Lanes but the North Laine mixture of avant-garde shops including bookshops, independently owned small business and a wider range of restaurants, pubs and bars plus the Comedy theatre centre. The area is a Mecca for radical, art folk, and students with a sense of  being a village. While Lane is what it says, Laines is a more ancient name referring to fields.

Brighton boasts several hundred eateries (400) a greater concentration anywhere other than in London and which explains the pricing given that I suspect the money on those located especially in the Lanes is made only at weekends and perhaps other weekend days where the Festival is on or other events which bring visitors to stay in the city. It is noticeable that families use the Wetherspoons and apart from the Yates Lodge there are only the two Mc D’s and KFC and the British Home Stores in the Churchill centre which offers family eating. There is also Spud U like as a sit down in the Churchill centre adjacent to McD. There are plenty of Subways, Pizza slices and coffee shops and one other Wetherspoons but this is not a place for ordinary family eating out unless you are willing able to pay £40-£50 plus and in fact this is my conclusion about Brighton is that although it is a city with much to offer including for those who appear to live on the street, it is not a city for those with families, particular young families.

I learned that a month’s rain had fallen Sunday overnight in the region in one seaside town causing the flooding of over one hundred and fifty properties when the drains could not cope and water rose through floor boards close to a swollen river usually no more than a stream. On Monday it was dull and looked as if would rain at anytime but stayed clear for me to and watch the second half of England playing France after a 1.1 score in the first half.

On arrival at the Travel Lodge I noted that only one of the two lifts was in working order and after pressing the button summoning the lift to the 7th floor I noted that it appeared to be held and I could here the cries of a man calling for help “Can anyone here me?” I therefore found stairs going downward at one end of the building and which provides excellent views across Brighton from semi circular windows. In reaching reception to report the problem the fire brigade had arrived and later I learned had released the man although the lift remained out of use until the following day. The pubs were crowded with security personnel hired. There were no further score although France looked as if they would score against an England side without Carroll and Rooney ineligible. On return I took my time on the climb back to the room.

It was also dull with spitting rain as I set off to catch the 700 to meet someone for lunch and visit the Worthing Museum and Art Gallery on Tuesday.  Although I have made the journey from Worthing to Brighton/Hove for some reason I allowed time to get to Shoreham which I had visited on Sunday evening forgetting that it is another 15 to 20 minutes from there via Lancing to Worthing.  It was spitting rain when I returned after lunch. It was only on Wednesday that the sun shone from early morning through to the evening. There was sun for breakfast and for lunchtime outings but the wind was getting up and chilling and in the evening I made the mistake of not taking my umbrella and had to rush back to avoid a drenching. It is fortunate that Brighton is no longer dependent in the London day tripper heading fir the seaside. Having said this I noted the large number of large office  blocks and office accommodation sites advertised as available. I noted the availability of several four double bedroom properties available for renting by students or those prepared to share common  other facilities at prices in the region of £80-£100 per person a week.

Brihgton Visit 2012 (1)

My intention had been to visit Brighton and the south coast when  Durham County cricket club were playing Sussex but there was no inexpensive accommodation available and then I noticed some £10 a night rooms for the second week of June, immediately after the school half term and the Diamond Jubilee weekend. I was able to book a double room for five nights for a total of £57, one night at £15 plus booking fee. I had to wait in order to book  the train getting a ticket to Brighton with seating at a return price cost of £80.90 more expensive than I usually manage but satisfactorily in the circumstances. It would cost well over £100 for petrol plus £30 parking for the week.

I hesitated about setting off when the time came because the journey was to commence a week after the allocation and fitting of the Sleep Apnea treatment machine. There was no anxiety over managing the travel luggage because as previously mentioned an excellent carry case has been provided although it would pose a challenge. My concern was being able to continue the process of adjusting to the treatment in a new situation especially as the weather forecast was poor so the opportunity for good walking could be limited.

I am now at the half way stage in the visit  and pleased that I made the decision to come although I still have someway to progress in the use of the machine before able to judge whether the outcome will be as positive as hoped and I can write to the DVLA in confidence.

I have stayed at the seafront Travel Lodge in Brighton before and which just around the corner from the Brighton centre, the  sea front, pier, the Churchill shopping centre and bus station and the town centre and sea front restaurants and entertainments. I noted before travelling that Sussex are playing their first 20 20  game, and evening match on the Thursday evening and that Susannah Vega is also performing on the same night.

The weather forecast for the period was one of showers and moderate temperatures. I am not inclined to sun bathing at all these day although I enjoy sitting on a bench overlooking the mouth of the Tyne, sometimes reading, sometimes dozing something, Brighton has  a pebble beach which while avoiding the sand getting everywhere problem is a disincentive for a relaxed stretched on towel during balmy days of summer which I presume occur with greater frequency than in the north east. Later during the stay I may reprise my memories from the immediate post war time childhood and subsequently. I brought with me the supply of Cineworld vouchers as there is a cinema in the city/town. England play France on Monday evening and i will find a pub to share the experience.

My preparations for the travel were comparatively relaxed given the circumstances and not commenced until the Thursday and then some final sorting during Saturday afternoon and evening. Given the weather forecast there were no short sleeve shirts prepared and I packed two brown zipped house jackets to wear restricting shirts for the travel with my suit and taking only one pair of trousers (the green) with the green outer coat.

I only packed some packet soups and the two salami sausages intending to purchase some crusty bread and eat out more than usual or purchase prepared food to bring in. I packed cutlery. For the journey I used half the half price full baguette from Saturday made crisp again  with a short spell in the oven and filling with a small tin of red salmon together with olives stuffed with pimento. I also bought a small carton of cherries and took a small flask of iced water. I arrived at Newcastle station in good time to enjoy at leisure a standard  coffee with milk at £2.20

The train arrived over five minutes late and from the number of people waiting I sensed the train would be near full so I positioned myself for entrance to reserved seat carriage. As is usually it was the wrong end for my allocated seat but seeing a  vacant space in the main luggage rack I seized the  opportunity and then made by way through to find that I had been allocated a window seat at a table at the window next to the electricity supply with the three other seats occupied by a couple and an attractive young girl. However the next pair of seats were vacant next to the luggage rack at this end next to the toilet, and although this meant balancing computer on the pull down table it served my purpose well. I was able to check my emails at some point using the free 15 minutes now only available for standard fare passengers..

The reason for the full house was soon apparent with York the only other stop to Darlington before the Kings Cross destination and therefore one of the quickest routes taking just over three hours. I was lucky to find the unreserved seating.

The journey has been uneventful and fast moving. I enjoyed my lunch and completed one important aspect of the writing of the end of the A Clash of Thrones and with only half an hour before the end of this part of the journey I I packed up ready to leave finding it difficult to concentrate as a mother allowed a child to scream and shout with disregard for everyone else. The lock on the toilet was not working which caused some problems and involved climbing over a large sleeping dog. However I remained in good heart.

Arriving at King Cross is such a joy now because of the light from the vaulted ceiling and the ability to move about freely. Fortunately the exist barriers were left open for easy passage as all the passengers had their tickets checked on the train once York was departed. I used the lift down to main underground thoroughfare but the walk to the Victoria line platform is very long and involves going up an incline and then down steps. Because of the early arrival I was in time for the earlier train to Brighton but the ticket instructions were precise. In the event there was no check during the journey. The wait provided opportunity to look in Smiths despite the luggage and effort was rewarded with the purchase of a book about the Royal family as a gift to those who were providing an evening meal.

The train was a long one with 12 carriages so I could take my pick of tables although by the time we set off most seating areas had a least one person despite being in carriage 4. About 50% of the passengers  got for off at Gatwick airport preferring this cheap route stopping only at Clapham Junction and East Croydon rather than the morning expensive non stop to the airport. A young woman sat with her back to me across from the table keeping one eye on her luggage. I was tempted to purchase a drink from trolley but resisted when it passed towards journey’s end. There were no lap top points but I used the battery to commence the writing of these notes.

It has been raining along the way so a taxi may be required down to the hotel as I have no wish to balance the luggage with a brolly although the road is a straight one and down hill. Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill are stations I have passed through countless times and Preston Park is for local trains and a pleasant suburb with a large park on the main road into Brighton.
There is always a sense of anticipation as one reaches the station despite having lived on a coast for forty years and which is derived from childhood visits when living at Wallington. Today the skies were grey  with spitting rain. It was not sufficient to take a taxi and with the hotel a ten minute walk downhill I decided to make my way although I had stop and use the brolly shortly before arriving because the spits turned to heavy rain.

I was allocated the same room or similar on the seventh of eight floors looking inward which was not surprising given the price paid. The room is more compact that most others experienced but obtained a double bed and was adequate with plenty of electric points, I did not need the extension unit for the breathing machine when I returned from an evening visit and meal. The 700 bus leaves a short walk back up the hill from Churchill square so it was not such a disaster when I realised that having changed  I had left all my cash behind and although in fact it was not require I thought it was better to return missing the first available bus. The frequency is reduced from ten minutes to fourteen on Sundays.

The 700 service is well used by local people and is great service because of the range of destinations along to coast, Hove, close to the cricket ground, Shoreham, Worthing, Littlehampton, Arundel, Bognor Regis Chichester, Portsmouth and Southsea. Not all buses complete the three and half to four hour journey with the last bus leaving Brighton for South Sea at just before six although last bus for part journeys other than Sundays continues including limited Night bus service.

It was just before ten pm back having been driven in the pouring rain to find that across from the entrance to the other side from restaurant and bar there is what is described as the Latin Lounge from which came the loud beat of West Indian and I looked through door to see the dancing area packed which gave an additional insight to Brighton as a swinging city. It had been a long, tiring but enjoyable day auguring well for the rest of the visit.