Monday 12th July. My first stop was at Chichester
where I walked through the centre which was all pedestrianised.
I saw the lovely old Cathedral. The building was started
in 1076 and was finished in 1108. In subsequent centuries there has been
much additional building.
As you enter through the big doors at the west end you
can see right through to the high altar where there is a magnificent
tapestry designed by John Piper and woven in France in 1966.
Over the choir stands the organ. There was a student
practising but he'd locked himself in and I wasn't able to go up to see
the organ.
Then from the choir you can look back down the nave.
I then drove on to Brighton and found a very comfortable
hotel right on the sea front quite close to the pier.
The old pier was burnt down many years ago.
Entertainments on the beach.
Looking at the sands from the pier. I walked right down
to the far end and then bought my candyfloss to eat.
Tuesday 13th July. Just north of where I am
staying is the area known as "The Lanes". A maze of tiny streets all
full of shops and cafes.
I walked through this area to get to the famous Brighton
Pavilion.
The Pavilion was built by the son of the mad King George
who later became Regent and finally King. While he was young he spent
much time here amongst great luxury and with many guests, so that
Brighton became the fashionable place. When he was older he was very fat
and suffered much from gout so didn't visit much.
After his death Queen Victoria inherited the Palace but
never liked it and sold it to the town of Brighton.
Wednesday 14th July. First stop was at Seaford
for a brisk walk along the cliffs and a view of the white cliffs at the
start of the Beachy Head section.
Then on to Eastbourne for a stroll down to the end of
the pier.
Eastbourne was well maintained with excellent flower
beds along the sea front.
Looking back at Eastbourne from the pier.
Not much to see at Bexhill though I had been told it was
worth a visit. Just lots of fresh sea air.
Finally to Hastings where I found a comfortable hotel on
the sea front. I have an excellent room looking out over the sea and the
old pier. Unfortunately this pier is in a very bad condition and closed
to the public. I believe the town council has just agreed to purchase
and spend a lot of money renovating it. Perhaps that justifies another
visit in a few years time.
Thursday 15th July. I set off this morning
heading for Folkestone but on the way stopped at Dungeness where there
is a big power station, but also the end of the line for the miniature
railway.
Here is the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch railway. The small
gauge railway runs from here right through to Hythe. A journey lasting
an hour and a quarter. I only went for two stops to New Romney.
At New Romney I had half an hour to wait before catching
my train back again and found the station cafe for a sandwich and a
drink for my lunch.
Having travelled here on a steam train I was brought
back to Dungeness by their diesel.
My journey for today came to an end at Folkestone.
Friday 16th July. First I travelled northwards to
Deal. Here I found another pier, but a rather disappointing one. I did
walk right to the end but apart from a rather run down cafe and a number
of very bored looking fishermen, the pier had absolutely nothing about
it.
However at the entrance to the pier was this rather nice
sculpture.
Further north and just before where the coast turns left
and heads west towards the Thames estuary is Ramsgate. A much more
pleasant town with a lovely harbour.
Then just round the corner on the northern stretch is
Margate where I came across sands for the first time. Up to now its
always been shingle.
Margate has this most elaborate clock.
After this I
visited briefly Herne Bay where I stopped for some lunch, and then on to
Whitstable where I had hoped to find a hotel. My SatNav seemed to get
horribly confused here and I didn't even find the sea front, so I gave
up and drove on towards Canterbury. Somewhere on the outskirts of
Canterbury but I don't know where as I was simply following the SatNav I
found a hotel that would give me free Internet connection so I took it.
Tomorrow I really will be in Canterbury.
Saturday 17th June. I found a lovely hotel called
the Pilgrim Hotel with a house going back in parts 500 years. No lift
and very steep stairs to my room on the second floor.
All the centre of Canterbury is pedestrianised. To start
you enter through the old gate.
The centre is full of fascinating little streets and
alleys.
The river Stour which flows through the centre of
Canterbury splits into two parts.
I went for a boat trip with a most amusing young man who
rowed and gave us a running commentary.
Right in the centre is the Cathedral.
From the back of the nave you can see right through to
the chancel.
This pulpit is used by the Archbishop when he gives his
special sermons at Christmas and Easter and any other special occasions.
Bishop Thomas Beckett was murdered in the Cathedral and
a memorial stood here until Henry VIII ordered it to be broken up. Now a
lighted candle remains on the spot.
And finally the view of the cloisters.
This afternoon
I attended the service of Choral Evensong with some wonderful singing
from the choir.
Tomorrow is Sunday and I aim to attend the big service at 11.00 am
before driving home.
