Around Britain

This was to be the last day of Around Britain. I took the 8.46 train from London Victoria to Shoreham-By-Sea. Arriving there at 10 o'clock, I immediately set off for Brighton Pier. I'd told those meeting me there to expect me between noon and 12.30.

I soon joined the A259 that I was to follow the whole way. Initially the road ran alongside the River Adur. Beyond Shoreham Beach on the far side of the river there was an outlet into the sea. This was overlooked by a round tower with a platform around the top. The only script on the tower was “A.D.1846”. However, I assumed it was, or had been, a lighthouse to guide shipping towards the harbour entrance. Up to and beyond this point the scene was largely industrial. Many businesses had premises on the A259. As I walked on the road climbed high above a spit of land separated from the mainland by a continuation of the harbour. Medium sized ships were moored and there was a marina. Towards the end of this stretch of water, I saw water skiers using suspended wires to race up and down between and over various obstacles. Nearby several people were moving around on water with sails on paddle boards.

When I reached Hove Lagoon the area changed significantly. Commerce was replaced by leisure. There was a wide promenade next to the beach with towering blocks of flats, hotels and restaurants along the main road (still the A259). Now I could see Brighton Pier. When I reached it at 12.12 p.m. there was no one to meet me. My old map showed two piers. Had I chosen the wrong one? I walked on indecisively, seeing that there was a further projection from the shore further on. It didn't look like a pier and I then realised it was the marina so I retraced my steps. Later I remembered that the old West Pier had been destroyed by fire. I'd already passed it before reaching the Palace Pier but hadn't noticed the ruins.

Back at the pier I met up with Al, an old friend from University days sixty odd years ago. He'd come with his son, Robert, who was accompanied by a young German Shepherd dog that he was looking after for a friend. Al now walks with a stick so we were starting to look around for somewhere to sit down when my other supporters arrived. These were my wife, Polly, her daughter Alex and granddaughter Imogen. I was awarded a medal and photographed many times. One of the photos was forwarded to the Brighton Argus who'd expressed mild interest in my endeavours.

Our choice of restaurant was restricted by the need to accommodate the dog. Apparently it panics and barks continuously if left on its own. We found a suitable place in the open air on the sea front. The dog then became useful as it kept at a distance the pigeons and sea gulls that were gathering en masse with the intent of stealing our fish and chips.

Distance today 6.56 miles; total 3970.46.