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'The oldest electric railway in the world,' is the proud boast of Brighton's VER narrow guage line. Its single cars silently shuttling those who prefer to admire their seafront views whilst seated.

Stargazer's skipper prefers to stroll along the boardwalk. Which is laid at the head of a long crescent of shingle beach. Sensing the weight in the breeze, as he goes. Finding it plenty strong enough to require long sleeves and a coat, for the first time since spring.

Top layers are swiftly shed, once sheltered by the sun trap town. Beside its stilt legged pier lies a Kiss-Me-Quick kitsch enclave.

Lovely Jubbly Fish 'n' Chips vie with the Pirate Putting Range and souvenir shops galore, for a visitor's attention. In the best British seaside tradition.

The whole set before a grand Georgian frontage. 

Two blocks back, an exotic green cupola, of eastern architectural influence, is framed by the foliage of a stately tree lined boulevard.

Brighton's onion domed, fret-work facaded, Royal Pavilion is set in a park. Surrounded by a serene aura of calm. Built as a relaxing seaside retreat for King George lV.

======= CORRECTION =======

Ted Heath's first Morning Cloud, the S&S 34 which I mentioned yesterday, sank at her Jersey mooring, whilst in her second ownership, during a winter storm, in 1974. Morning Glory turns out to be from the same stable, but is an S&S designed She 33. Never owned by Ted Heath. But yours for £9950 according to the brokers at Boatshed Brighton . Apologies for my confusion! (Ted Heath pictured here aboard  the second Morning Cloud. Also an S&S design)

Did I mention that I thought that I saw Lord Lucan, riding Shergar through the park, by the Pavilion?

Picture Credits

Ted Heath aboard Morning Cloud ll; courtesy of BBC (or possibly Getty Images)

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In a quiet corner of Brighton marina the Sparkman & Stephens 34, Morning Cloud, draws a crowd of onlookers. She, the first of a string of successful race boats by that name, owned by former British Prime Minister Ted Heath.

 Now known as Morning Glory and seeking a new custodian. Her lines purposeful. Her pedigree illustrious. Her future uncertain.

Through a wild night and a rain soaked morning, the wind howls and waves clamber high. From time to time overtopping the tall concrete caisons. Which form this wholly man-made harbour

Whilst conditions within are remarkably calm, the visitor pontoon is the nearest to the entrance and within reach of spume blown over the walls. Which renders it an uneasy berth.Much like the situation in Le Havre, where Stargazer found herself weatherbound this time last year. 

Life aboard has temporarily taken on a five degree list to starboard. All fenders are deployed, to defend Stargazer's topsides. Moaning and groaning at the pressure which they must bear.

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Stargazer sails with the sunrise. Or, perhaps more correctly, is carried by the tide across the glassy waters of Chichester Harbour. Making a stately four knots.

Fitful breaths waft over the saltings. Promising more to come, once we clear the lee of the land.

Ten knots of breeze awaits us off the West Pole. Where Stargazer spreads her wings and turns eastward.

Bound for Boulder Street. The shortcut around Selsey Bill. 

Where the tide runs hard and fast in Stargazer's favour. As it squeezes between the dry land of the headland and the submerged Owers reefs (Red arrow is Stargazer).

The channel is named after the two buoys which mark it.

Stargazer lopes across a blue sea. White clouds float serenely above a low, shingle fringed, shore. Stargazer's skipper eats jam scones and drinks coffee, as an early elevenses.

Soon, the windfarm turbines start to spin faster.

For, dark clouds are gathering in the afternoon skies.

Stargazer is surfing at seven knots. Her skipper preparing lines and fenders, in order to seek shelter. Suspecting that tomorrow's forecast 'big blow' may be arriving early.

Stargazer sweeps past Brighton Pier. Slightly overpowered, with full sail up in twenty knots of breeze.

Which is gusting past thirty, by the time that she secures in Brighton marina. Her skipper thinking better of standing on for an after dark arrival in Eastbourne. 

Picture Credits

Boulder Street charts screenshot; courtesy of Navionics by Garmin

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Two fishers take their turn. To stand watchfully amid the sedge. Salt waters lapping at their feet. One avian. . . . 

. . . . the other a wader-clad human.

We are between weather systems today. The morning, a trifle grey and still. With brighter and breezier conditions filling in behind. 

Stargazer intends to head east on tomorrow morning's ebb.

There should be sufficient water left, by the time dawn twilight arrives, to slip out of the Northney Channel and over the Chichester Bar.

There to meet the start of the east-going tide. As it swirls out of the Solent, inside the Owers and around Selsey Bill. 

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Candy striped beach huts stand astride a shingle dune on the southern tip of Hayling Island.

With a wing foiler at play on a lightly rippled sea below.

Practicing airborne pirouettes until they are perfect.

Stargazer's skipper arrived at his vantage spot via the shores of Langstone Harbour.

With views of Portsmouth's permanently powerfully bellied Spinnaker Tower. A memento of the Millenium celebrations, a quarter of a century ago. 

Which were the prompt to launch Missee Lee and begin the cruising journey that has brought him here, aboard Stargazer.

The signage of this shoreside footpath has been subject to some royal rebranding.

Formerly it was known as the "Hayling Billy" trail. (In a couple of spots it still is).

For it follows the bed of a pre-Beeching-cuts steam railway.

With optional scenic detours.

Now, it has become the King Charles Coastal Path. Billy banished, by dint of freshly erected fingerposts bearing the name of the monarch.

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 Autumn colour glows bright amid the dark green foliage of ancient deciduous growth. As Stargazer's skipper is forced to strike deep inland by the abnormal height of today's spring tide.

King Charles' coastal path improvements have continued apace. Since his accession to England's throne.

Yet, as King Canute will testify, a monarch's writ runs only so far, where matters of tidal ebb and flow are concerned.

An egret and three black headed gulls (in winter plumage - their dark skull caps replaced by a dot beside each ear) stand askance. Out of the water's reach.

Upon the roof of the Tide Mill. Whose long brick legs can scarce keep its veranda dry. The posts, on which the birds prefer to perch, are entirely consumed.

Even access to the High Tide route has been submerged (third picture). Requiring walking boots to be carried aloft, rather than worn, during a knee deep wade. The sharp shingle of the beach fortuitously clad in soft weed.

Parched field grass serves as a natural towel. Allowing Stargazer's skipper to set off, dry-shod, once more.

The hedgerows are hung heavy with ripening berries. As the path winds through the woods.

To emerge at Emsworth Quay. In time to watch the Slipper Sailing Club boats launch. Whilst eating a picnic lunch, seated on a convenient step.