Thursday 6th March
After almost eight years without touring it is now time to take to the road again.
This time with an emphasis on walking around towns with trains, buses and the bike used between each location.
Today is a 'ride on trains' day. After a short ride to my local railway station then a change of train in Grantham and London, where the bike was 'inspected' by a member of the public, I arrived in Canterbury for a three-night stay.
Friday 7th March - Rye, East Sussex
A train journey to Rye today for a self-guided walking tour of the town. Situated on a hillside about the river Rother, Rye is one of the Cinque ports and suffered from raids by the French.
Today it is a town of (sometimes steep) cobbled streets with a variety of pleasant shops. Of particular interest is Mermaid street, home of the historic Mermaid Inn.
The picture above shows an engraving I sold to the inn during 2007.
The picture below is the location itself.
Throughout it's history it has also served as a private dwelling, a prison and is now a museum.
Saturday 8th March - Canterbury
Probably most famous for it's cathedral, the town contains a host of interesting and attractive locations, including the town wall, town gates and riverside parks and walks.
An 'interesting' bookshop!
Not a lot to be seen today of the Poor Priests' Hospital . . .
. . . nor Canterbury Castle!
Sunday 9th March - Canterbury to Brighton
A day of three parts -
Part 1, An 18-mile cycle ride from Canterbury to Ashford International railway station.
Part 3 - Eastbourne to Brighton. I have cycled the 22-mile route from Eastbourne to Brighton on previous occasions, both east to west and west to east. There are some very serious hills on this route, west to east being the easiest. Today my journey is east to west!
Since my previous rides the traffic has increased out of all proportion, if I am in the area again I will use the train.
The reward for all the hill climbing is a traffic-free route for Seaford to Newhaven - where the traffic is at a complete standstill.
The final five miles of the route is again traffic-free into Brighton.
Monday 10th March - Lewes
A 30-minute bus journey from Brighton takes me to the small town of Lewes with it's mix of medieval and Georgian architecture.
The small round tower of St Michael's church in High street, with it's shingled spire is one of only three such towers in Sussex.
A carved satyr on Bell House in the High street.
Keere Street
Anne of Cleves House, now a museum but closed for renovation at the time of my visit.
ALTHOUGH - the café is open - but not on Monday's!
Southover Gardens
Tuesday 11th March - Brighton
Originally named 'Brighthelmstone' Brighton was developed into a fashionable seaside resort famous for it's Royal Pavilion, the Pier, the Lanes shopping area and many fine hotels.
The Royal Pavilion, a favourite location of the Prince of Wales, soon to become George IV. Far from the royal courts in London the Pavilion became a discreet location for the prince to meet his long-time companion Maria Fitzherbert.
Wednesday 12th March - Time to head for home
After a short ride along the seafront I made my way to the railway station for the journey north - no option but to travel north, south is into the sea.
An interesting timeline display at the railway station outlining the production of 'bubble cars' in the 1950's.
