Following our last shenanigans we thought we should have some time to gather our limbs and wait for the weather to improve. We have spent the past three nights in Rye, near Camber Sands and have really enjoyed it here. I've referred to Brighton before as a big Hebden Bridge by the sea, this is closer to the mark.
We arrived soggy, cold and traumatised and were met by one of the nicest Harbour Masters so far. He was so chilled out and even offered me a donut - what more can I say? We got permission to proceed into the Harbour and did so gratefully. The visitor moorings at Rye are with water for approx 4 hours within every twelve so you have to tie up to the bank and set your ropes to allow for this. Most of the time is spent sat in the mud with access to shore via a very rickety wooden ladder - note of caution to anyone planning a visit by boat - don't wear white and then attempt the ladder - unless you like green stripes! The Harbour is a big tourist attraction for locals and visitors alike. It's quite amusing when you get to the top of the ladder and clamber ashore in front of two old dears eating their fish and chips thinking you've just climbed out of the river! It's not the most ladylike entrance I've ever made!! Maybe not the least lady like either when I think about it!! We read the visitor notes and tied up accordingly, we stayed in whilst the water went down just in case there was a problem hitting the mud, we had escaped one disaster, we didn't want to push our luck! Operation clean up commenced. The boat had literally been turned up side down during the trip, books and photo albums came off shelves, food was destroyed, we have still items yet to find! Everything was wet through, but we were still in one piece and Elephant Daze had survived.
We drank well that night and had a kebab for tea, it tasted grand, we spent the night marvelling at our survival. We awoke to find ourselves in this fabulous town of Rye and set about our discovery of the town. There are 45 pubs / restaurants in this town ummm, sounds like our kind of place, we may be here some time...... The town is based around a hill, yes a hill, down South! One of the key features is Mermaid Street, a long cobbled street on a very steep hill, not good when you've being living in one of the flattest areas of the North for a long time! Non the less it's pretty and quirky, and yes it has a pub! It also leads up to the tower which overlooks the river. It's all very historic and completely unspoilt. It has a great atmosphere and people are very friendly. There's lot's to go at, including art galleries, junk, sorry antique shops, retro shops and did I mention the 45 pubs / restaurants?
We found ourselves moored up next to a chap on a sailing boat who we had followed into Ramsgate, he invited us out for a drink on Tuesday evening. We met up around 8pm and headed for a lovely looking marina bar, overlooking the river. The chap had been round to see the owners before hand and they had advised that they were officially shut but would open up for us..... It was a great spot and we could see our boat from where we were sat. We drank warm Strongbow and swapped tales of our travels. We are always trying to find out new information from the people we meet along the way and this chap was very familiar with the places we are looking to explore. The only thing that worried me was that he didn't think we would be very welcome in many places around Portsmouth / Southampton. Guess we'll find out for ourselves! We had a good hour with him before we called it a night, then we got talking to the owners of the bar, they were great characters, they own some of the moorings below the bar, so we cheekily asked if there would be a spot available..... we may be back!
I have to say that I don't have any exciting stories to tell about our stay here, only that it is a place full of history, art and has a lovely quirky feel about it. Oh, and it's all a bit muddy!
Tomorrow we plan to head for Eastbourne, the weather looks calm for the morning so we will take our chances, then it's Brighton........... Who'd of thunk eh?
We arrived soggy, cold and traumatised and were met by one of the nicest Harbour Masters so far. He was so chilled out and even offered me a donut - what more can I say? We got permission to proceed into the Harbour and did so gratefully. The visitor moorings at Rye are with water for approx 4 hours within every twelve so you have to tie up to the bank and set your ropes to allow for this. Most of the time is spent sat in the mud with access to shore via a very rickety wooden ladder - note of caution to anyone planning a visit by boat - don't wear white and then attempt the ladder - unless you like green stripes! The Harbour is a big tourist attraction for locals and visitors alike. It's quite amusing when you get to the top of the ladder and clamber ashore in front of two old dears eating their fish and chips thinking you've just climbed out of the river! It's not the most ladylike entrance I've ever made!! Maybe not the least lady like either when I think about it!! We read the visitor notes and tied up accordingly, we stayed in whilst the water went down just in case there was a problem hitting the mud, we had escaped one disaster, we didn't want to push our luck! Operation clean up commenced. The boat had literally been turned up side down during the trip, books and photo albums came off shelves, food was destroyed, we have still items yet to find! Everything was wet through, but we were still in one piece and Elephant Daze had survived.
We drank well that night and had a kebab for tea, it tasted grand, we spent the night marvelling at our survival. We awoke to find ourselves in this fabulous town of Rye and set about our discovery of the town. There are 45 pubs / restaurants in this town ummm, sounds like our kind of place, we may be here some time...... The town is based around a hill, yes a hill, down South! One of the key features is Mermaid Street, a long cobbled street on a very steep hill, not good when you've being living in one of the flattest areas of the North for a long time! Non the less it's pretty and quirky, and yes it has a pub! It also leads up to the tower which overlooks the river. It's all very historic and completely unspoilt. It has a great atmosphere and people are very friendly. There's lot's to go at, including art galleries, junk, sorry antique shops, retro shops and did I mention the 45 pubs / restaurants?
We found ourselves moored up next to a chap on a sailing boat who we had followed into Ramsgate, he invited us out for a drink on Tuesday evening. We met up around 8pm and headed for a lovely looking marina bar, overlooking the river. The chap had been round to see the owners before hand and they had advised that they were officially shut but would open up for us..... It was a great spot and we could see our boat from where we were sat. We drank warm Strongbow and swapped tales of our travels. We are always trying to find out new information from the people we meet along the way and this chap was very familiar with the places we are looking to explore. The only thing that worried me was that he didn't think we would be very welcome in many places around Portsmouth / Southampton. Guess we'll find out for ourselves! We had a good hour with him before we called it a night, then we got talking to the owners of the bar, they were great characters, they own some of the moorings below the bar, so we cheekily asked if there would be a spot available..... we may be back!
I have to say that I don't have any exciting stories to tell about our stay here, only that it is a place full of history, art and has a lovely quirky feel about it. Oh, and it's all a bit muddy!
Tomorrow we plan to head for Eastbourne, the weather looks calm for the morning so we will take our chances, then it's Brighton........... Who'd of thunk eh?
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