Sunday, July 29, 2007
19th July Lewes and The Marina.
One day last week we visited Lewes, a bustling country town built on The Downs below the imposing castle, now ruined.
Lewes has always been an important part of my life. I wonder how life would have turned out if my parents had pursued their interest in buying a house there when I was in my early teens.
This is a pretty cottage gate and garden at the entrance to the castle mound.
The view from the castle takes in a wide area of the Ouse Valley and across to the long sweep of the South Downs beyond, including Beddingham Hill where we used to spend our family holidays in tents when I was young.
We could sit outside the tents and see Lewes and if it was sunny the castle stood out well towards the top of the town.
This is the barbican gateway of the castle.
Down by The River Ouse is Harvey's brewery, where some exceedingly good beer is made.
Lewes was built on a steep hill and the main High Street is quite a climb for the weary shopper.
Lewes has always been an important part of my life. I wonder how life would have turned out if my parents had pursued their interest in buying a house there when I was in my early teens.
This is a pretty cottage gate and garden at the entrance to the castle mound.
The view from the castle takes in a wide area of the Ouse Valley and across to the long sweep of the South Downs beyond, including Beddingham Hill where we used to spend our family holidays in tents when I was young.
We could sit outside the tents and see Lewes and if it was sunny the castle stood out well towards the top of the town.
This is the barbican gateway of the castle.
Down by The River Ouse is Harvey's brewery, where some exceedingly good beer is made.
The Harvey's shops is well stocked and maintained, with lovely flower boxes adorning the building.
The Harvey's shop window displays a special brew of Thomas Paine beer.
Thomas Paine had spent a part of his life in Lewes.
Doing the blog pushes me to learn.... I knew almost nothing about Tom Paine except that he had written a book called The Rights of Man.
He lived from 1737 to 1809.
His time in Lewes was quite short, but it was where his enthusiams for political philosophy began.
He spent much of his life in the USA and was closely involved in the American Revolution.
Revolutions attracted him and he was in France to share in their Revolution also - and he became a French citizen.
But he ended his days back in the USA.
Below is a picture of of the windows of his rooms above the 15th century Bull House.
Lewes was built on a steep hill and the main High Street is quite a climb for the weary shopper.
When we were there it was quite busy - but of course I waited for a quieter moment to take the picture below.
Bill and I felt eager for a good lunch and some peace and quiet. Below are a couple of pictures showing the view from our lunch table at Wetherspoon's at Brighton Marina, away from traffic and noise.
