Brighton to Dieppe Via Newhaven

Sunday Brighton to Newhaven

It’s one of those gorgeous late summer days in Brighton. It seems that the sunshine has brought out every motorcycle and scooter within driving distance of the town. I have never seen so much black leather and tattoos. Every spare inch of concrete near the seafront seems to have been taken up by the noisy beasts.
I enjoy the trip on a packed Volks Electric Railway and have the pleasure of sitting in the drivers cab – although the driver herself is in the corresponding position at the other end of the train.

There is much partying on the beach, so much so that I witness the local constabulary removing some over enthusiastic imbibers.
The local town band is billed as appearing at the lovely bandstand, but there’s been a change of plan. Some sort of amplified country/celtic/rock fusion band is there instead. Somehow it’s not the same as a decent bit of brass and I don’t linger for long.

I’m impressed with Southern Railways’ arrangements for the bus replacement service to Lewes. They’ve laid on direct buses as well as the ones that call at all stops. So it’s a much less arduous experience than I had feared.
I am booked into a little guest house, (www.newhavenlodge.co.uk). Phil and Jan have been running the ten-bed business for 10 years and they seem to have thought of everything. There are even scissors in each room to open the little sachets that, so often, resist every attempt to get to their contents.
It’s my first visit to Newhaven and I set off to explore. The town centre is very run down, with a lot of empty shops. But they’ve built some smashing new apartments down at the harbour with a very smart area near to the marina to sit and watch the comings and goings.
Tomorrow, I set sail for France.

Monday Newhaven to Dieppe

I have an extra hour to wait at Newhaven ferry terminal. Due to tides, the Seven Sisters is having a later sailing today.
The terminal is a pretty soulless place, long overdue for replacement. It looks as if it hasn’t had a decent clean in many a long year with the gents loo like something from a third world country.
LD Transmanche Ferries (www.transmancheferries.com) is the operator of the service. It’s my first time with them. I like the way they sweep up heavy luggage into a secure container, which is taken on board and delivered at the other end. There’s a mystery on board. I have a habit of finding the a la carte restaurant on any ship and passing the journey by having a meal. There are signs to the Royal Pavillon a la carte restaurant all over the place, but it turns out to be a sealed off room, Except the doors are open one deck up. Very odd.
But it’s a pleasant enough crossing and we arrive in the lovely port of Dieppe right on schedule.
It’s the 30th year of Dieppe’s annual International Kite Festival and we can see some of them from the ship. I am looking forward to seeing them – and the town - close up.