Starting this blog in the Queens Theatre waiting for the show to begin. You'll have to read tomorrow's entry to read what I'm seeing.
Yesterday started off a bit more relaxed as I found out last night, instead of an hour + train ride into the city and out again there was a shuttle leaving from Lido station directly to the airport. So I went for a walk along the promenade next to the beach. A pleasant walk that time in the morning but this certainly is a gold mine of a beach that has been let go. It's like the Italians don't care.
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| The Italian beach at Ostia |
A bit of a rush when I got back with breakfast in a big dining hall by myself, followed by shower, collecting my things strewn across the large room and packing my bag. I had become quite good at stuffing my daypack into my blue back pack so I only had one to carry. It weighed only around twelve kgs together which was reasonable on the Camino and easier to manage on public transport as well.
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| Lius Roma Hostel - from the back |
The bus, the airport, the flight to the UK all went smoothly. I was hoping for a window seat but was given an aisle so I was resigned to that until when I got on the plane the couple in the seats next time asked me if I wanted the window - they preferred to be able to get out easier. A well-travelled British couple who rather surprisingly admitted they preferred to only go to English speaking countries and had an alarming level of intolerance for the Spanish air hostess - I was so glad they swapped with me because it was a clear day and I was able to see the Italian coastline, the Swiss Alps and a great view of the South English countryside. I took photos like an unashamed tourist.
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| A View of the Swiss Alps |
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| I'm sure this jet only just missed us! |
The Gatwick airport was great, quiet and easy to get to the station nearby on a free monorail. Google Maps suggested a twenty minute walk was best but I went around in a circle that ended up at the previously undiscovered free shuttle service. Google is not always right.
The Gatwick Express got me down to Brighton in only about 20 minutes with no stops. I found out too late about the free wifi (and the phone charging point) on the train and my phone was near dead so the email from niece Lucy Morris was read too late. She was going to my hostel directly by bike and I had arrived at Brighton at the same time. I wasn't sure how to get to the hostel and should have taken a taxi in hindsight but in the end I walked and it took 40 minutes. Meanwhile Lucy was trying to find me and went to the station before finally I was able to plug in my phone at the hostel- which I thankfully found without too much trouble- and I was able to contact Lucy again. " Stay there!" Lucy commanded and I was happy because my second storey room had a view of the beach and the street and I was able to sit at my window and have a cup of tea looking out the window as I waited.
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| Smart Sea at Brighton. My window was just above the entrance |
Smart Sea View Brighton 9-12 St Catherine's Terrace, Hove. I recommend it - being the new Trip Advisor expert
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| Lucy Morris and her dog - whose name escapes me as I write this a month later. |
It was great to see Lucy again. Probably around ten years since I had seen her, but she was friendly, delightful company and very accommodating for her long lost uncle, particularly as it was a busy night for her. We had Fresh Hake and Chips together and after her Italian class I walked up to her house, walked the dog to the pub and had a beer together.
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| Having a pint with Lucy |
"This is England, Peter," she said and the dog came into the pub with us - much to the delight of the other patrons. We shared stories over a pint and then later she drove me back to the hostel in her cool VW combi camper van- a long held dream of hers.
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| Lucy and her Combi Camper |
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