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.
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