I awoke this morning to sunshine brightening the window but by the time I was up and about the sun had hidden itself again. The forecast is cloudy with rain this afternoon. So much for “red sky at night, shepherds’ delight”.
My first job was to check out the shower. Well, it works, at least, but there is nowhere to put the soap. I found myself passing it from hand to hand and finally tossing it into the washbasin so that I could rinse my hands.
The microfibre towel bought from Mountain Warehouse performed well. It soaked up water efficiently and I was quickly dry.
Sunshine in East Street
When we went out, the sun was shining, though how long it will last remains to be seen.
Pret A Manger
For breakfast we went to Pret as this was the nearest place open.
The Royal Pavilion
Afterwards, we visited the grounds of the Royal Pavilion.
The Pavilion gardens
The gardens were looking green and lush and I know that they are continually tended and cared for.
The Dome-
On the opposite side of the garden from the Pavilion is this building called the Dome. People are often amazed to learn that it was built by the Prince Regent to hold the royal stables. That makes sense, though: you wouldn’t want an unprepossessing utilitarian building detracting from the beauty of the nearby Pavilion. Today, the Dome holds Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.
Passing through Lewes
We next boarded a number 29 bus that took us on a long ride through Sussex towns and villages, including Lewes.
Uckfield High Street
We left the bus in Uckfield and went for a walk along the High Street.
The Picture House
We admired the Picture House but as it started to rain, looked around for somewhere to shelter and have coffee.
The Coffee Barn
Seeing the Coffee Barn, we went there.
Inside the Coffee Barn
They seated us and gave us menus to peruse. Among the items available was… Cream Tea! As it was just about lunchtime, we ordered a cream tea each.
Cream tea
Photo by Tigger
A cream tea is as good as lunch, surely? 🙂 We’ll have a “proper” meal later.
The River Uck
We went for another walk after “lunch”, on the way crossing the River Uck. What the relationship is between the names of the river and the town, I do not know. One etymology of Uckfield suggests that it derives from a field owned by an Anglo-Saxon farmer called Ucca but I have not so far found a convincing derivation of the river’s name. Could it simply have taken its name from that of the town?
Railway signal box
Small as it is, Uckfield has a railway station and a signal box.
It’s a terminus
Having reached here, though, the train returns the way it came: Uckfield is a terminus.
Wooden sculptures
We saw two wooden sculptures but there was no information on what they represented or who made them.
Crowborough United Church
We had originally intended to go to Crowborough and took a bus in that direction. As there didn’t seem to be much of interest (as seen from the bus), we stopped off at this church to catch a bus back
Fitzroy House, Lewes
We decided to break our journey at Lewes. We know this town having explored it several times but it can always bear a repeat visit.
Costa Coffee
We stopped off at the local, friendly branch of Costa Coffee.
Waterstone’s bookshop
We had a look round Waterstone’s (note the sundial on the right above the windows) but didn’t buy anything.
Aboard the 28
We then caught a bus back to Brighton, the 28 this time. From Lewes, it is a relatively short trip.
The bus dropped us off in Dyke Road. From here we walked down North Street and called in again at Sainsbury’s – no photo, you know what Sainsbury’s looks like! 🙂 Here we bought food for tonight’s supper. Then we continued down the hill to our temporary home but not before…
The Jubilee Clock Tower
…I had stopped to take a photo of one of my favourite Brighton landmarks, the Jubilee Clock Tower. Commonly called just “the Clock Tower” by locals, it was erected in 1888 in celebration of Queen Victoria’s 50 years on the throne. The clock face actually bears a date of 1887, presumably the year it was completed. It is now a Grade II listed building. Opinions on its artistic and architectural merits vary but I love it, so there!
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