We have been in Brighton now for five nights, tonight will make it six. When I envisioned our time in Brighton I saw blue skies, calm seas and drinking champagne on the deck. What we actually got was high winds, rain and waves over the harbour wall! The first thing we did on arrival was head to the pub to congratulate ourselves on reaching Brighton in our home made boat! We had a great evening although the details are a little sketchy following the champagne. I had saved the bottle given to me from work as a leaving present especially for this event it was lovely and provided us with a good nights sleep!
We awoke the following morning excited at the prospect of exploring Brighton. We had a lovely day and didn't think too much about the weather, we had a little rain but it was still warm and quite sheltered in the town.
We returned to the boat that evening just as the wind was starting to pick up. As the evening wore on it got rougher and rougher. The boat was rolling from side to side on the mooring. The big yachts were having a worse time of it, especially the ones rafted together. Waves were flying over the harbour wall and we were getting covered in salt water again - more rust! At one o'clock in the morning Martyn was out helping a French sailor next to us put out extra fenders. It was all a bit mad and has continued to be so ever since. I believe at one point it was gusting 78mph! We were amazed at how much it affected the water in the marina and the noise from all the masts was constant.
We have been surrounded by French, German, Swedish and Dutch boats during our time here. It's a bit like spot the English boat - that will be us then! It's great though. We watched a group of French sailors spend the day drinking and watching the waves come over the wall sat in their waterproofs. By the end of the day they were climbing up the masts, we still have no idea what they were doing up there but they seemed to be having fun! You can't beat a bit of crazyness every now and then!
Today, for the first time, motor boats have begun to turn up in the marina. Many of the sailing boats have gone. The sign of more motor boats moving is good for us, it means it's calming down - I hope!
We have had a great time in Brighton even though it's been a bit choppy! Martyn had an extra special treat last night. Elephant Daze is named after a song by Kirk Brandon from Spear of Destiny. By some amazing coincidence they were playing in Brighton last night, it would have been rude not to go! Kirk didn't disappoint even though the venue was so tiny, we were all packed in like sardines! We decided to forgo our bus fare home for another drink and walked the two miles or more back - it was worth it!
This trip has brought together so many things from our past, our present and will hopefully point us in a good direction for the future. We joked to some of our friends that we will be doing the scooter rallies by boat this year and although we have been in or near places that we have visited by scooter we have yet to be there at the right time! It's quite mad to think that we have actually achieved what we always said we would. At Brightlingsea we were close enough to swim to Mersea Island, Wallasea Island brought back amazing memories with some great friends and now here we are in Brighton! I love Brighton and it would be so easy to stay but I have an urge to stick my nose round the corner and see what happens on the next leg of the journey. This is supposed to be an adventure after all!
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