Mobile Again

Bexhill Banquets and Box Set Bliss!

Freedom! Today, we embraced our newfound wheels and set our sights on a delightful lunch with Val and her friends at The Bull Inn in Bexhill. Sophie's car transformed what might have been a complicated bus journey into a leisurely drive. The tyranny of the bus timetable was banished, allowing us the luxurious indulgence of a proper lay-in – a small but significant victory!

The Bull Inn, a cherished Friday haunt for Val, lived up to its reputation. The food was simply amazing, a proper pub feast. And for Nick, a nostalgic treat awaited – his absolute favourite dessert, trifle, graced the menu! Suffice to say, he was one very happy sailor.

Post-lunch, our newfound mobility allowed us to tackle some essential errands at the local retail park. First on the list: more tasty provisions for our loyal first mate, Pepper. Next, a significant upgrade to our onboard entertainment system – a brand new Smart TV! The ancient set currently residing on Halcyon Sea had long since passed its prime, making movie nights a thing of the past. A modern screen was a much-anticipated addition to our floating home comforts.

Back on the boat, after Pepper's happy evening walk, we finally settled down for a movie night. It was a simple pleasure, but one we hadn't enjoyed in almost a month. As the opening credits rolled, Pepper curled up on my legs, just as she always did back home. In that moment, surrounded by the familiar warmth of her presence, it felt like home, like nothing had truly changed.

With only a few more days remaining in Eastbourne, our thoughts began to drift towards the next leg of our adventure: Dover, with a tentative departure date of April 22nd. The weather forecast, thankfully, looked promising.

It's a curious feeling. While Eastbourne has been wonderful, a cherished opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, a subtle shift is occurring. The initial anxiety about heading east instead of west, that pull towards the familiar, has begun to dissipate. A sense of excitement for the new experiences that lie beyond Tuesday is starting to bubble up. Eastbourne marks our furthest eastward point so far; everything after that is uncharted territory for this adventure. The respite here, the chance to reorganize and prepare the boat without the pressure of constant movement, has done us the world of good.

For now, we're content to savour these last few days in Eastbourne, looking forward to catching up with a few more family members before we once again cast off. We'll simply enjoy the present moment, the warmth of connection, and the quiet anticipation of the open sea.Läs mer