It's not "goodbye" just "see you later"!

Well folks, I can't delay it any longer the coastal adventure has to be put to bed for the winter. We are back in the water, although the painting never ends and we have been making the most of the last of the summer sun today. The hull is painted as are the decks and that maybe as far as we get now as the days close in. Elephant Daze looks great and we are so proud of all she has achieved for us this year. It was two years ago when I bought Martyn a book for his birthday 'The Shell Channel Pilot' by Tom Cunliffe. I bought it in the hope that one day he would be inspired enough to need to use it. I'm not sure I ever really thought it would happen if I'm perfectly honest. Adventures like this are what other people usually embark upon - not us - and then one fine day in June.......

We were happy - ecstatic - to reach reach Wells alive! The dream became very much a reality from that moment on. I believe somebody helped us along the coast that day - I have never since seen a sea as calm as it was the day we passed Spurn Point and turned South. I have seen many of my hopes, wishes and dreams come true on this trip. I have seen seals, moored at wallasea Island, crossed the Thames moored in Ryde on the Isle of Wight and been to Brighton. I have discovered new places, Brightlingsea, so close to Mersea yet we never new it was there, Rye - the trip nearly killed us but we loved the town, Bembridge with it's quirky house boats and who could forget the Elephant Boatyard and the Hamble...! We have met some amazing people. I believe we even saw the compiler of aforementioned book, Tom Cunliffe at the Elephant Boatyard. Who would have thought Ray Gange - friend of The Clash and star of one of their videos would have come all the way from London to visit us at Eastbourne? Who could have imagined we would meet people living at Wallasea island with friends on the Rochdale canal at Littleborough? We have seen the Americas cup from the water and sailed through the racing at Cowes. It has been a privilege to have seen and experienced all these things and given half a chance I would choose to continue this journey. The reality is that money makes the world go round, it also pays for diesel, overnight moorings and food (we have still not learnt to fish....). I have sold the first scooter I ever owned as well as the second and last one! We have sold our first ever home together (Hareni) and the two cars may well go next. The only constant we have is each other and Elephant Daze, I guess as long as the three of us stick together we should be OK!

Brighton is an amazing, vibrant city where you can live your life however you wish. When people used to ask me about where we might take the boat I would reply "It's Brighton or bust!" Brighton for me has always had a good feeling about it - I'm a sucker for places with good Karma! It would be a mistake to give up an opportunity to stay. That being said I underestimated how much I would love travelling. The excitement of planning a journey, seeing familiar things with new eyes and discovering hidden gems. Until the time comes when we can do that again I shall make it my new adventure to learn all I can about this amazing place. There is so much to do and see here I doubt very much we will get bored waiting for the summer. I thought I might keep a new 'diary' going - I have started a new blog. It didn't seem just right to continue the 'Coastal adventure' in land so a new blog is born. Titled 'Elephant Daze in Brighton'. Very original I know! So if you wish to keep up to date with our shenanigans in Brighton feel free to follow on our new blog. If not - we'll be back next year!

High and dry - eventually!

We now have transport! How exciting, except we have used the cars less than half a dozen times in the three weeks of having them here. The Asda is a five minute walk away and the walk into town a very pleasant forty minute jaunt along the sea front. I suppose that will change when the weather does and the J.O.B. situation.....
We have both been feeling a bit homesick recently so very much enjoyed a visit from two familiar faces from 'home'. The Isle of Wight scooter rally took place over the bank holiday weekend and our friends Kitch and 'Uncle' Tubbs rode down on their scooters to enjoy the festivities. Kitch came across to Brighton on the bank holiday Monday to see us and Uncle Tubbs ended up following a day early than planned. It was really nice to see familiar faces and hear a northern accent again! We had a lovely evening with the pair of them before Kitch made his way home on the Tuesday. Normally we would have been staying in Brighton with Tubbs for the week in a B&B or holiday cottage. This time he was in a hotel and we were - well at home! It was great fun though, we got to be on holiday with him for a few days. We discovered a few new pubs, new shops and which bus to get from where to go wherever. Sometimes you have to play the tourist to remember why you like a place. We decided to give Tubbs a treat on the Wednesday and take him on a boat trip to see the pier. The weather had turned out lovely after a soggy start to the bank holiday. The sea had been flat calm for a few days and the forecast stated that it was set to continue. With Uncle safely aboard we prepared to get ready for our trip, the first one since we had arrived! We filled up with diesel and set out for the harbour wall. I didn't bother putting all the usual stuff away, it would be like a trip on the canal - except a little cleaner! As we approached the entrance to the marina a huge catamaran appeared round the corner almost filling the channel, we slowed down and let it pass. I didn't recognise the flag so I have no idea what nationality it was but the crew were out taking pictures of us as we passed. It got a bit choppy but we put it down to the wash from other boats, if only! As we turned the corner out to sea the waves came crashing around us. Tubbs looked at me and said is that just wash? I had been happily snapping with my camera taking pics of our lovely trip to the pier but now I couldn't even stand straight. We nose dived into wave after wave. A glass passed my arm and hit the floor followed by the balsamic vinegar. By the time Tubbs turned to ask me the question I had one foot against the fridge door, the other leg holding a cupboard shut and arms outstretched holding anything I could reach! judging by the look on his face he didn't know whether to laugh or be scared! "Martyn, i think we'll go back now" I said. The thing is it's easier said than done. It was hard to work out which way the waves were coming from. We could maybe of gone further out but it didn't look any better out there. Using his best judgement, strength and some serious engine power Martyn finally managed to turn us around safely and head back to port avoiding the crazy sailing people heading out to have fun. The second we rounded the corner into the marina it fell still again. You just wouldn't have believed what we had been out in. We chuckled nervously amongst ourselves "Well that was a bit of fun....!" Nonetheless it gave our lovely Uncle a great story to tell at the Mersea Island scooter rally the following weekend.
It was Martyns birthday the following day so we spent what we thought would be our last day with our very good friend having a few beers in Brighton and Hove before he set off for the dog track - he likes a bet or two does our Uncle. While we were having our birthday meal we decided we weren't ready to let our friend go just yet, should we take the Herald to Mersea Island scooter rally? Ummm, Tubbs wasn't sure if he was going to go anyway, I think his own bed was probably calling. We decided we would all go. I have always had a thing about people who go to 'scooter' rallies in cars, the clue is in the name! Up to now I have only ever done one rally in a car and that was Cleethorpes way back when I first started riding a scoot. I remember the club (Halifax Elite) had arranged to meet up at the boat in Sowerby Bridge for our ride to Cleethorpes. I was very excited as it was one of my first rallies on my newly put together Vespa. One by one they turned up and one by one they broke down...! I was the last scooter standing and was sadly informed that i wouldn't be allowed to ride on my own I had to go in the car (something about being too slow - harrumph)!! Never again, until now..... We went in our Capri that time - nearly 15 years ago - this time we would go by Herald power. So that's what we did. We took the lead, stocked up with beer and Uncle Tubbs followed on his scooter. A fine time was had by all and we got to see even more friends including Nunny one of our friends from the old Halifax Elite days. I cried saying goodbye on the Sunday and wondered what lay ahead for us in Brighton.

As I type we are 'high an dry'. We finally got lifted out of the water on Thursday 9Th September. Elephant Daze looks great considering all the pain we have put her through this summer. The hull is in really good condition, the only place that has suffered is where the old anodes were, easily sorted with the grinder. So we have been scraping and painting. We have so far managed to get most of it done and only need an hour or so of good weather to complete all the work. Fingers crossed the forecast is wrong about the next three day of rain! We have met a very nice chap who has been renovating a catamaran. He was next door to us up until today when it was launched. Martyn has been getting on with him very well and used a great opportunity to help him move it to get out of painting for an hour or two.... Nothing much changes does it he he!! I can't blame him really he has been painting the very bottom of the boat - too scary for me! Our time is up on Friday, we got a special deal which is limited to 7 days so we just need one small weather window - please! I will be glad to be afloat again but have so far enjoyed being in the boatyard. The boat is getting some well deserved praise and attention, she does look pretty amazing, and we have met some new people. It has also shown some of the less educated that NO she is NOT a narrow boat (the less said the better!).
We got up early yesterday, early for us that is, and got stuck into the painting. A very special event was happening on Madeira Drive - Brighton Burn up! This is what we're in Brighton for! Every year thousands of bikers / scooterists travel from the Ace cafe and various other places around the country to Brighton to celebrate the Ace Cafe reunion. It was estimated upwards of 50,000 two wheeled vehicles would attend. It was a sight not miss. We managed to get a full coat of primer on the hull and headed out for Madeira Drive - camera at the ready. The sun was shining and the smell of petrol and two stroke oil filled the air - heaven. We had a lovely day walking around looking at all the bikes. It's funny how you can walk by a dozen 'new' bikes and be drawn to the 'old' classics. There is something about old classic styling that just gets better by age. There were lots of new age rockers there, people our age and younger enjoying the 50's / 60's style and music mixing with the scooterists and enjoying the atmosphere. This is the kind of thing I hoped to be a part of in Brighton when we decided to stay. I really hope there is more of the same to come.

Hull to Brighton.... by road??!!

I don't know where the time is going! Everyday seems to fly by yet I'm not sure what we've done! We have done one major thing and that is to bring the cars down from Hull. It took two days and reinforced my view that travel by water is by far the preferred option. We had two cars to bring back, one would have been so much simpler. Just to make things that bit harder the cars are not modern. In fact Martyns car is 48 years old - not a youngster by any stretch of the imagination. I thought I had it bad, a ten year old Citroen Saxo (1.1) - hardly the lap of luxury and no power steering. I couldn't really complain though, at least I had a radio, heating and working windscreen wipers. Things that would be become essential during the trip!

We left the boat at 8am to catch the bus to the station, another form of transport not to be recommended. The bus driver seemed to be on a mission to race everything in sight and seemed to take pleasure in watching people running for the bus then setting off without them... Some sport! After a 35 minute bus journey covering approx 3 miles we reached the station, boy was I glad to get off! I think my next job should be within walking distance... I had pre booked the tickets and needed to collect then at the station. This had been playing on my mind. I like to have everything in order when planning a trip and was concerned about the amount of time it would take to get the tickets. Would they actually be there? Have I read the instructions right? Would we miss the first train? Yes I worry a lot! It may be something to do with being out of my comfort zone or the fact that I really don't like having to work to timescales these days. I knew I wouldn't be happy until we made our connections through London and were on the train to Doncaster. We collected the tickets in plenty of time and made our first train heading for London Victoria. It was funny listening to the business people talking on their phones to customers and colleagues, it did however remind me of that thing I need to do soon (get a J.O.B. yuk!). The train was full and got fuller as we got closer to London. All those people made me feel claustrophobic and anxious to get off for our connection via the London underground. We didn't have a clue how it all worked when we got off the train. Did we have to pay through the underground ourselves or did the tickets cover us for that? Which line did we need? It was all very confusing and so busy. We made it to what we hoped was the right platform and panicked, there was a train already in, do we get on this? Is it the right one oops too late, the doors shut and it was away people rammed in like sardines. We finally sussed out that we could get on any train regardless of the route given on the booking directions. After a brief journey in the sardine can we found ourselves at London Kings Cross station and eventually on the train heading north. It wasn't a bad journey. As we got further north I noticed that the good old Yorkshire accent was slowly replacing the accents of the south. At Doncaster we changed for Hull, passing Goole. You can actually see the boatyard from the train. It was strange to think we once lived there for so long and Hareni was still sat there. I gave her an imaginary wave and wished her well.

We arrived in Hull and made our way to the marina. I expected to feel quite sad but didn't for some reason. I think it's because I know we can always come back, nothing is forever. We returned our security fobs to the marina and retrieved our car keys. At 3pm we left Hull on a journey neither of us were looking forward to. We went over the Humber Bridge - Triumph Herald leading and headed for the A15. We had to treat this trip a bit like a scooter rally. We didn't want to be doing long journeys on the motorway in the Herald so picked out a route that actually lead us on to our favourite Isle of Wight route. I soon realised that if I were to follow Martyn I would literally just have to follow him regardless of whether or not I thought he was going the wrong way. As we hit the A15 I noticed he had left his indicator on - after 5 miles of flashing my lights and even beeping my horn once he never batted an eyelid - communication on this trip was out of the window! We did OK until we hit Leicester, at 5pm oops! We arrived at Blaby, just south of leicester around 6.15pm. Not to worry, that was the worst bit, we were back in familiar territory now. This is the part of the route we know like the back of our hands.... If only it hadn't started to rain, then rain, then rain some more. I could barely keep up with Martyn, that little white cars a right speed demon, or maybe it's the driver! like I say we were back in familiar territory, Martyn flying off in the distance and me trying to keep up! It was quite scary to be honest and I was shattered. The roads were flooded everywhere, then we hit a section of road covered in diesel. I felt the back end of the car twitch and saw the Herald do the same. This really wasn't fun. I was really hoping that Martyn would want to call it a day and stop for the night. We arrived in Banbury and thankfully Martyn pulled into the petrol station where we usually stop with the scooters. As I got closer behind him I realised I couldn't see through his back window as it was all steamed up. That meant he couldn't see out or see me! Time to make a decision. Following a cup of coffee and some chocolate we decided to find somewhere to stop for the night. We took directions from the chap in the garage and after getting lost a few times made it to a Holiday Inn and luckily got a room. It was only 8.30pm and already dark outside, what happened to the summer?! They only had a twin room left but we weren't about to start looking for somewhere else to stay so we payed the extortionate room rate and headed for the pub! We ate at a popular American / Italian restaurant. It was so funny! We were about the only people in there and got the only waitress that didn't speak English. She was very nice though and apologised for getting everything wrong on a regular basis. It was all a bit Fawlty Towers! I tried to order wine, bad move. She couldn't understand what I was asking for, however after some pointing and gesticulating we thought we had it sorted. Martyns Peroni arrived but no wine, the starters arrived, but no wine. At this point we were told that they didn't have that particular wine so I chose another. 10 minutes later we were told that they couldn't open the bottle as they had lost the bottle opener. After a trip next door to the pub and after I had received my main I got a glass of wine hallelujah!! We had to laugh, the food was terrible, the service amazingly bad but it was entertaining! So much so that we still left a tip!
I had a great nights sleep and awoke refreshed and glad for the rest. Martyn however complained that the bed was so uncomfortable he hadn't been able to sleep. It was only when I sat on his bed to put my shoes on I realised the difference. It turns out that in twin rooms they put one soft mattress in and one hard mattress. Martyn got the soft one oops! Glad it wasn't me though!!
As we prepared to complete our journey we wondered if we would see any scooters. Under normal circumstances today would be the day that we would rise very early and set about our journey on the scooters to the Isle of Wight. In fact at the very time we left Banbury we would normally be travelling through. This trip wasn't planned to coincide with that it was just another strange coincidence. The first scooter we saw however was in the back of a van. Not sure if it had started it's journey in there or not...... We saw a couple of other scooters but not as many as normal, maybe the weather had put some off.
Four and a half hours later we arrived in Brighton, tired and stiff. It had been a long couple of days. The weather in Brighton was terrible, it had actually been sunny back up North. The boat felt damp and cold. We knew it had been very cold on board as the clock had stopped - it only usually does that if we are away for a long time over winter! At least we were back and remarkably in one piece The Herald had done great and I was glad the Saxo kept going. We had spent approximatley nine hours on the road from Hull to Brighton. The journey from Goole to Portsmouth by scooters used to take four to five hours - I know which I prefer although the seat in the Saxo is a little easier on the bottom!
So we have our cars, we've sold Hareni and Martyn has had a job interview, only one thing for it now, guess I've got to get a J.O.B. (Shudder...!!).

Goodbye Hareni

We finally sold our first boat 'Hareni' on Tuesday. We had mixed feelings. We were glad that at last somebody was going to take her away and use her again. It has never sat well with us that she has been laying idle all this time but sentiment made us reluctant to sell. She will be transported to the Lancaster canal to have a new life. I hope she likes it there - I think she will. I don't think we would have sold her if we had remained in Goole, in fact we wouldn't have sold anything and we wouldn't now be on this crazy new journey with Elephant Daze! We have had some great times on Hareni starting from the day we collected her from York with our experienced boater friend and took that first trip on the Ouse, blissfully unaware of the dangers that lay ahead. We survived the floods, the rain and eventually the snow. We walked miles for a new battery at Knottingly when we realised the one on board was completely useless. We washed in freezing cold water and listened to the water dripping from the roof at night. We won't mention the incident with the on board porta loo (still full from the previous owner!!). At Brighouse we had a visitor during the night or so we believe. We awoke to a snow covered boat with footprints leading to and from the boat, the canopy was also open. We all remember hearing someone moving on the boat but all thought it was one of the others......! Maybe it was someone looking for somewhere warm to sleep - they must have disappointed! We continued our journey through one of the worst snow storms of that year. People were getting stranded at work and we were working our way through the locks of The Calder and Hebble! We finally reached Elland and could go no further. The locks at Salter Hebble were closed for 'essential repairs'! So we hit the pub. The Barge and Barrel. I remember sitting in front of the open fire drying our feet - yes they really did steam! It was heavenly, for a while. The work on the locks were set to continue for some time and in the end we had no option but to start walking to work. Just a short hop - 5 miles or so....! We eventually moved the boat back down to The Colliers Arms where we made good friends with the landlord. He was such a lovely chap we had a great time. He didn't mind if we made a pint last a couple of hours just so we could get warm! We survived those first couple of months without electric or running water (We went swimming a lot...!). The only form of heating was a small gas fire, illegal now I might add! This created lots of excess moisture on the roof when lit so we had two options, freeze or get wet! Mornings were a nightmare, we would both try to get out of being the first one up to light the fire and warm up the boat. It was a case of get up, run to the back of the boat (essentially outside!) run back in, light the fire and get back into bed for at least 30 minutes before the arctic conditions began to melt (literally sometimes!). It sounds terrible, but we loved it! It was our first home together and we were very proud to call ourselves 'boatowners'! When we finally arrived at Sowerby Bridge we got electric and an oil filled radiator courtesy of a Christmas bonus from my then employer. We were warm and dry at last! It's funny but we never even thought about T.V. We had plenty to do without it! So followed four fabulously crazy bohemian years! We spent the summers having boatyard BB Q's sitting out telling tall tales, going to scooter rallies and having lots of parties in general. In the winter we would all meet up in the various pubs around Sowerby Bridge and talk about as much sense as we did in the summer! It was a very special time, needless to say I can't quite remember all the details......! It was a very comfortable existence, maybe too much so for me. For me having a boat was about travelling and I eventually persuaded Martyn that it was time for a move. That move resulted in Hareni ending up in Goole. For us that journey was as epic as the one we have just undertaken. We were still relatively clueless about boats then, we knew where was good to have a drink or a kebab in Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge or Halifax but 'long range' cruising was a different matter. Don't get me wrong we took her out on weekends and short holidays but this was different. When we left we had a crew of five with us, a crew made up of very special friends from the boatyard. First stop - The Barge and Barrel at Elland - very fitting we had our last party with them there before embarking on our journey into the unknown. It was time to grow up and start learning, which we did, very quickly! A trip on the river Trent makes you realise there really is a whole new world of boating out there. Hareni took us to Lincoln (still one of my ultimate favourite boating spots!), Boston, Newark, Nottingham and Leicester eventually taking us back North to York and right up to Ripon. It was an adventure I really wish we had documented better - blogs didn't exist then! Fate finally led us to Goole, well really Martyns brother announcing his last minute weeding plans led us to Goole! We needed to stop and earn some money and Goole for reasons I now forget ended us being the place to do so. The rest as they say is history.....! So Hareni, she has been a very good friend to us and deserves a little TLC now. Her new owner seems very nice, I couldn't have sold to her somebody I didn't think was....! She will never be a closed chapter in our lives just a source of fabulous memories.

Thanks Hareni. XXX

Always sunny in the South....?!

We had lovely sunshine on Wednesday and decided to make a start on painting the wheelhouse on Elephant Daze - needless to say it has been raining ever since so most of our hard work is now ruined! That being said we finally got to meet some of our neighbours. We must have passed the trial period taken to establish 'live aboard' status! We have been keeping to ourselves, keeping a low profile as requested by the marina but it was really time to be out and about and I'm glad we did. We have met the lady who lives next door but one. She came to introduce herself and offer any help we might need with absolutely anything! It's a strange thing but her and her husband are currently fitting out a barge to head inland with - chances are they will end up in Goole! It's a funny old world. Then we met the sailor, lovely chap, told us a few tall tales of his travels and gave us some good local advise. Both people said the same about Brighton Marina in that it is a very friendly pleasant place to live. This is just what we needed to hear really. To know that we are among nice people gives us some comfort that we have made the right decision to stay.
This coming weekend sees the Isle of Wight Scooter rally which we will probably not be able to be part of this year. We are about 40 miles away from the Isle of Wight by boat and would need the guarantee of really good weather to make the trip. I have never been one for attending 'scooter' rallies by car so wouldn't consider that option. Maybe if we have a heatwave with guaranteed calm weather for three days ...... who knows? Whatever happens we will get to see our 'Uncle' Tubbs as he will be travelling our well worn route without us this year and staying in Brighton for a couple of days. A few drinks with Mr J D Weatherspoon will be no doubt on the cards. It will be the first time I will have seen a friendly face since we left so I will look forward to it and feel sad when he leaves without us!
The impending Isle of Wight scooter rally is making me think of buying another scooter. I think Martyn would prefer me to get a job to pay for it first though! He has mentioned to me on a few occasions that I don't seem too keen to rush back to work.... I really don't know what he means....!

Still in limbo

Nothing is ever easy is it? I'm beginning to miss the 'simplicity' of travelling. You pick your destination, check the tides, check the weather, hope you've got it all right and away you go! (How quickly we forget eh?!). We have been in Brighton for over a week now. When we made the initial enquiry about staying we had to wait two days to speak to the Berthing Manager and the Duty Manager so we waited and spent two days in limbo still trying to decided if it was what we really wanted. When the day of reckoning came Martyn went to the office to see what the decision would be. We were really nervous about this, so much so that I chickened out and let Martyn speak to them. It turned out to be a sot of mini interview, which he passed and rightly so! They gave us the day to make our final decision and we returned the following day to sort out the payment details. Easy as..... Living on a boat is never very straightforward though and when it came to sorting out the finer details we hit a problem - we don't exist in any one place.... This is still to be sorted and we currently live in hope that it can be sorted out and that we don't have to move on! The weather has been lousy ever since we arrived so it is doubtful that we would have been able to make much progress North anyway.
In effect we are still in limbo. It's hard to make concrete plans when there is still a chance albeit a small one that we won't be able to stay. That being said we have made arrangements to head back to Hull next week and collect our cars. That should be journey worthy of a Top Gear series! A 1962 triumph Herald and a 10 year old Citroen Saxo from Hull to Brighton umm, best take an overnight bag!
When we have our cars we can start properly looking for work. it seems most of the jobs are out of town so transport is going to be essential. In the meantime we thought we would get Elephant Daze lifted out of the water so we could replace the anodes and paint the hull. We thought we were onto a winner with this one as the marina are offering a discount for lift out in August.... Until the travel lift broke.... They have, however promised to honour the price even though we won't be able to get lifted out until September! Everything just gets further and further away.
So settling in is taking some time and we are starting to go a little stir crazy. We can't even get out for a sail as it's just too windy. We like our new mooring though. We are tucked away at the Eastern side of the marina quite close to the sea wall. We have a lovely little fishing boat moored behind us, not quite as big as the one our friend has in Hull but we like the idea of being near it as it reminds us of him. We have an amazing view of the marina and the cliffs of Brighton so we can't really complain. I do still miss the travelling though. I'm really not sure about fitting 'normality' back into my life just yet. If what I've heard is true though living in Brighton should be anything but 'normal'! I live in hope!

Brighton or bust....

We are still in Brighton. The typical English summer weather has held us captive once again. Following our last trip and considering the current forecast we have been forced to do some serious soul searching. We have two main options, one, head for Hull, two, stay in Brighton for the winter. We love Brighton but our last visit left us feeling less positive about the place. The marina itself is a purely man made marina and everything around it is new and very commercial. That being said it's also a very fun place to be if you have money to spend. Brighton town centre is a reasonable walk away along the seafront and offers a huge variety of entertainment. I sound like a tourist information guide don't I? Sorry! We have spent every one of the last seven days trying to decide what to do. We both changed our minds on a regular basis - Hull or Brighton....... We have walked for miles looking around the town, spent hours on the Internet checking long range forecasts and jobs in Brighton and Hull. We miss our family and friends and Hull is much closer than Brighton but it could take weeks to get back, would the money last? Would we become tempted to risk weather we wouldn't normally go out in to get back? As it was we had one weather window that might allow us to get to Ramgsate but the forecast after that wasn't good. The more it looked like going home would not be a good option the more I felt the need to. Maybe it was a case of just wanting something that realistically was out of my control. Finally Martyn said to me one evening. "How many times have we come to Brighton and walked around this marina wishing we could have our boat in here?" "Just about every year for the last 12 or more years" I replied. The light came on. We looked at each other and knew what we needed to do. We set off on this trip with a dream of reaching the South Coast in our own boat. Brighton was a hugely significant milestone, the Isle of Wight and The Solent were additional bonuses. We said we would have been happy to reach Brighton and that is what we have done plus some. Elephant Daze has been fabulous, she fairs much better than us in the rolly poly seas we have been through. I think it's time she had a bit of a rest and some serious TLC and we have decided that Brighton is the place to do just that.

Brighton will be our winter hideaway and the place to do some much needed work on Elephant Daze. It was not an easy decision to make but one we believe to be the right one. So, a new 'Coastal Adventure' begins. We have so much to sort out, cars to retrieve, jobs to find, painting to do. Let's hope we have some time for fun too!