The weather has been variable this week and after yesterday's heavy rain we
had a forecast of a clear period this morning before it closes in later in the
afternoon. I planned a shorter walk to link up a part of the coast walk
starting at the eastern side of the Adur river in Shoreham (we had
completed the section on the other side early this year) and going to the
centre of Brighton (where we had started the section heading towards Newhaven)
along the sea front. We would return by public transport, as there was so much
residential and commercial build up.
We (Sue, Bertie and I) parked up in the Southwick beach car park - this is
almost at the end of the spit on the outside of Shoreham harbour. Getting here
involved going to the edge of Hove and across the end of the harbour then back
along the spit. The car park was at the end of the public access part just
beside the Carat's Café. From the car park we jumped up onto the promenade. The
sun had made an appearance and glistening off the water lying around.
The promenade ended very quickly at the end of the power station, and we had to
use the footpath beside basin road. The tide was in and it was not possible to
escape onto the beach and we had to walk along all the industrial units on the
side of the harbour, with occasional views through to the ships inside.
As we reached the end of the harbour, where the fishery protection vessel and a
rusting hulk were tied up, the path went around some commercial units and back
to the beach edge. I believe this was where west Sussex changed into East
Sussex, it is also where the longest stretch of beach huts I have seen
started.
We walked along the wide promenade - there was construction going on the land
side where they were building green space environments. On the other side the
sea was running a little rough making it impossible to walk along the beach
itself.
Bertie and I did take a small diversion to the surf, but he quickly ran back to
the promenade.
Passing the King Alfred centre still on the promenade, all along the way we
could see the i360 and the Brighton piers standing out in the distance (our
turnaround point).
The current sculpture on the Brighton plinth.
Now in Brighton and still on the promenade. All along were signs saying "No
bicycles" as well as "Dogs on Leads" ... both were totally ignored by a
large proportion of the relevant people. Closer to the i360 - we had watched it
go up and down a few times - the path moved around a collection of retail
opportunities.
We ended the outward leg by going around the bottom of the i360 and up onto the
A259 slightly above the promenade. The remains of the west pier out in the sea
alongside.
Opposite Regency square and the Boer war memorial we picked up a grassy swath
between the A259 and the promenade going back - the bus route did not go along
this part of Brighton and we had to head back to Hove passing Brunswick Square
gardens and its regency houses
We passed Adelaide crescent and finally reached the bus stop after the B2185
junction. We could have walked up the hill into Brighton town fighting with the
crowds, however it was better to walk along until the bus route re-joined us.
We hopped on the 700 bus which came after 10 mins - it was very busy and Bertie
was nervous. Eventually at King Alfred's a large party left and we got a seat in
space, however Bertie did not like the flooring as it was a bit slippery.
Eventually we reached the stop opposite Southwick station, where we could cross
over to the sea side of the harbour.
We dropped down the side of the Port buildings and past the Port Kitchen, then
across the harbour entrance locks in a zigzag.
There were two locks side by side (one larger than the other) as well as a dry dock all to be crossed by the lock gates walkway.
On the other side we walked back across to the promenade, just beyond the
café.
Here we turned away from the car park in a zigzag and walked out along the beach to the
eastern breakwater, and along to the end of it.
The view from the end of the breakwater back towards the shoreline.
Back along the breakwater and along the promenade the way we had come out.
Back along the promenade to the café and the car park. This had filled up and there were several people rushing to get out into the surf - I guess the tide had gone out sufficiently for it to be viable, or maybe it was just a lunchtime break.
Here we turned away from the car park in a zigzag and walked out along the beach to the
eastern breakwater, and along to the end of it.
Back along the breakwater and along the promenade the way we had come out.
Back along the promenade to the café and the car park. This had filled up and there were several people rushing to get out into the surf - I guess the tide had gone out sufficiently for it to be viable, or maybe it was just a lunchtime break.
