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The East of Sussex!

A couple of days ago, I went down to visit Mum as she wanted to visit a shop in Eastbourne. The object of our visit was to assess "Car Transportable Scooters". This is a small sit-on motorised scooter for Mum that takes apart and fits in the boot of my car. So we needed to assess a) was it comfortable and fit for purpose to drive and b) could I get the relevant bits into the car. The outcome: yes in both cases! Whey hey!

We went down to the beach where we had a quick snack. I'd managed to find a parking space on the sea front not far from the bandstand. Parking ticket paid for and displayed together with the "Blue Badge", a very friendly parking warden then advised me that, as a Blue Badge Holder, we didn't need to pay for parking! Well, I was surprised. It seems to vary depending on where you are and which county you're in.

Sitting on the beach having lunch (well, not actually "on the beach" as such as our venue involved a table and chairs mounted on decking and smoked salmon and scrambled egg on our plates - yummy!), I realised my camera was not that far away in the boot of the car, so took just a very few pictures of the bandstand and pier. Whilst the sun was shining and the "loungers" were out, no-one was sunbathing; just as well really as there was quite a cool wind! Looking the other way, Eastbourne's answer to Bay Watch personnel, stared vacantly out to sea. The warning flags were out but hardly anyone on the beach to take head. Just a chance shot as this Gull wheeled above us. Took this with the wide angle lens then heavily cropped it. Then off to visit a very good friend in the area who plied us with tea and chocolate cake - (thank you )! Oooh - well it would have been very rude to have refused :D

and finally - home. The M25 had many hold ups and, although I wasn't travelling on it, the traffic towards home was diabolical as the feeder roads were also affected. Took two "alternative" routes then found an even more local hold up caused by it being a Race Day at the local racecourse.
Posted by Tricia Ryder at 7/24/2009 05:22:00 pm Labels: Eastbourne, Personal avalon said...

Apart from your trip home it seemed quite a good day for getting things done so pleased your mum can get a motorised chair in the car, at least you will be able to get out a little further maybe. Eastbourne looks very much like bournemouth did with the old fashioned pier! Have a good weekend x

24 July 2009 at 19:10 
Yes J - we did achieve and the guy in the shop was incredibly helpful - I would recommend him! It now means that we don't have to rely on my "pushing" power, especially when it comes to hills! (For hills, read steep slopes).

And yes, you're right. Eastbourne, Bournemouth, Worthing - they're all similar in personality. And they've all got nice piers! :)

24 July 2009 at 19:27 
All seaside places are interesting IMO. What are the lines of posts at regular intervals along the beach and what are they for?

24 July 2009 at 20:07 
Salmon, scrambled egg, chocolate cake, sunshine and sand; perfect day out Tricia. (apart from the traffic)
A good shot of the gull too, with a wide angle. On my very long list of things I desperatley need ;)

24 July 2009 at 21:27 Phil and Mandy said...

Been to Eastbourne a few times myself Tricia, not recently though.

25 July 2009 at 07:41 
Hi Mick. The lines of posts are known as Groynes and they are built to control the shifting sands of the beach. In this web picture you can see others further along the south coast. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bourngroynes.jpg )

In my picture, the small "stumpy" bits are the tops of some of the support posts which, over time have become buried in the shingle at the top of the beach.

Keith - put like that it does sound rather good for a day's shopping! Lol

Phil - I don't think the coastal towns on the south coast change that much so you probably wouldn't notice too great a difference now.

25 July 2009 at 08:01 
Sounds like a lovely day.

25 July 2009 at 08:46 
So many seaside towns appear similar at first glance don't they. It could almost be Mablethorpe or Skegness with the gently sloping sand, the half buried groins and the pier. I suppose as most were developed during the Victorian expansion of the railways they are all of a similar design.

I could do with borrowing that scooter when my toe starts playing up. :)

25 July 2009 at 09:11 
Hi OC; yes it was a good day; weather better than expected which was good as rain would have stopped us going!

John - I would agree with you there about the "sameness". Rather nice in a way to have this quaint reminder of the Victorian era!

Lol re borrowing the scooter. It has a top speed of 4 mph so you would be safe in terms of any speeding! I'll just need to get fit to keep up!!

25 July 2009 at 22:04 
Looks like you had a lovely day Tricia,glad all turned out well with your mums scooter x

25 July 2009 at 22:48 
A very nice and productive day out Tricia and a rather civilised lunch on the beach :)

26 July 2009 at 00:32 
Sounds like a lovely day out Tricia. Your photo of the Herring Gull with a wide angle lens, brill.


26 July 2009 at 13:17 
Karen - yep - nice when things go right!

Jan - a productive day indeed and a very civilised and impromptu lunch :D

Paul - thank you for the comment and ID :)

26 July 2009 at 18:36 
Sounds like you had a lovely day, I would love to get one of those scooters for my Dad, (the pushing is very heavy work on the hills) but his OT won't sanction it because as well as his left leg his left arm doesn't work either so she says it wouldn't be safe. Can't see why not as I would be right by his side anyway but Mom won't risk it!!!!

26 July 2009 at 19:04 
Jayne - yes it was a good day thank you.

Whilst I can understand, and empathise with, your reasoning for wanting a motorised scooter for your Dad, it really does require the ability to use both the handles. Not only would this enable appropriate steering, but the "forward" and "reverse" levers (that drive the scooter) are housed either side of the central stem and adjacent to the handles.

If you are really considering this option for your Dad, but best course of action is to arrange a "test drive" for your Dad and yourselves with a reputable company/supplier.

Hope things work out for you; I do know how problematic pushing up hills (and holding back on the downward slopes) can be - not to say exceedingly difficult too!

26 July 2009 at 19:22