Saturday, August 14, 2010
Flying with the birds on our special day
What were you doing 45 years ago?
It was a Saturday.
I know that a few of you were with us for a while – and others of course, were not yet born.
It was a sunny day – no rain at all.
Bill and I embarked on an adventure – not for just a day, but for life. Well, we hoped it would be for life and despite the usual ups and downs it seems that we will make it “til death us do part”
Life should be an adventure – and today has been one for us too.
We spent much of our wedding anniversary in Worthing.
It wasn’t planned – just a spontaneous “let’s go to the Worthing”.
We went to Ford first and the local radio was reminding us that the international birdman competition was taking place this weekend on Worthing Pier.
I bought some bits at Ford – after the rain had stopped. I now have my own soapbox! It is from the 1920’s. I will photograph it tomorrow – maybe I will stand on it and expound some views.
We were much too early in Worthing – the tide was far out. The pier had no sea swirling round it.
We had some breakfast and then took a walk round the centre of the town, on the pier and along the promenade.
After returning our jumpers to the car we walked back to the café on the land end of the pier. We ordered some beer and chips and waited in the sunshine for the fun to start. There was lots of time for chatting to people.
There was a good atmosphere.
This café was a wise choice for spectating - with very good views of all that was going on and a place in the dry to escape to when the heavy shower fell.
Our only regret was that we were not seeing tomorrow’s events – when the crazy dressed up people basically just jump into the sea!
And tomorrow there will be an attempt on the record distance which stands at 99 metres and a bit - if anybody gets over 100 metres they would win £30,000.
There was very little hope that any of today’s fliers would match last years distances for there was no wind – but it was all good hearted with laughter and applause.
Having left home at about 7 o'clock this morning, we were tired when we returned at about 5 o'clock.
But it feels better to feel tired after having done something than to be exhausted and done nothing much at all.
On our one previous visit to Worthing we had admired the heads in one elegant street.
She seemed to have acquired more than her two carrier bags! She had 2 shopping trolleys and lots of black bin liners.
These were the elegant houses opposite the woman's cosy spot.
A completely different woman.
People gathered on the beach early to get the best vantage point of the afternoon's events.
I met two chickens on the promenade.
Deck chairs lined up on the beach.
The Denton cafe- with fine views over the sea and towards the end of the pier.
We were outside for much of the time.
At first, though, we enjoyed warm sunshine and conversation with a couple from Coventry who will be off on holiday to Morocco tomorrow.
We had some beer and a bowl of chips.
One of the first competitors to take off was a British Champion - the ski jumping champion, Eddie the Eagle.
......and tumbled down to the water - failing to match his distance of last year. He achieved 7.52 metres.
But there was no wind - not good for flying out long distances on a sail.
Style looks good.
But the finale is always the same - splash!
This picture shows what spectators can expect tomorrow.
It was a Saturday.
I know that a few of you were with us for a while – and others of course, were not yet born.
It was a sunny day – no rain at all.
Bill and I embarked on an adventure – not for just a day, but for life. Well, we hoped it would be for life and despite the usual ups and downs it seems that we will make it “til death us do part”
Life should be an adventure – and today has been one for us too.
We spent much of our wedding anniversary in Worthing.
It wasn’t planned – just a spontaneous “let’s go to the Worthing”.
We went to Ford first and the local radio was reminding us that the international birdman competition was taking place this weekend on Worthing Pier.
I bought some bits at Ford – after the rain had stopped. I now have my own soapbox! It is from the 1920’s. I will photograph it tomorrow – maybe I will stand on it and expound some views.
We were much too early in Worthing – the tide was far out. The pier had no sea swirling round it.
We had some breakfast and then took a walk round the centre of the town, on the pier and along the promenade.
After returning our jumpers to the car we walked back to the café on the land end of the pier. We ordered some beer and chips and waited in the sunshine for the fun to start. There was lots of time for chatting to people.
There was a good atmosphere.
This café was a wise choice for spectating - with very good views of all that was going on and a place in the dry to escape to when the heavy shower fell.
Our only regret was that we were not seeing tomorrow’s events – when the crazy dressed up people basically just jump into the sea!
And tomorrow there will be an attempt on the record distance which stands at 99 metres and a bit - if anybody gets over 100 metres they would win £30,000.
There was very little hope that any of today’s fliers would match last years distances for there was no wind – but it was all good hearted with laughter and applause.
Having left home at about 7 o'clock this morning, we were tired when we returned at about 5 o'clock.
But it feels better to feel tired after having done something than to be exhausted and done nothing much at all.
Breakfast was taken in an cafe at the end of this arcade.
We met the two morris dancers whilst walking - but never found a performing morris dance group although they were apparently dancing in several places.
We actually bought a CD of music from Ecuador from a street vendor.
On our one previous visit to Worthing we had admired the heads in one elegant street.
But not so elegant - underneath a covered pavement we found this woman sleeping.
Have you seen the old girl
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talking,
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.
She seemed to have acquired more than her two carrier bags! She had 2 shopping trolleys and lots of black bin liners.
The aroma was not very elegant!
These were the elegant houses opposite the woman's cosy spot.
A completely different woman.
Angela is the Arundel town crier - she was smiling and chatting with people on the pier.
People gathered on the beach early to get the best vantage point of the afternoon's events.
I met two chickens on the promenade.
Deck chairs lined up on the beach.
It seemed strange that they were facing away from the sea - but they were
looking towards a large screen on which there would be a showing of Finding Nemo later in the afternoon.
looking towards a large screen on which there would be a showing of Finding Nemo later in the afternoon.
The Denton cafe- with fine views over the sea and towards the end of the pier.
We were outside for much of the time.
Except when it rained just a bit too hard.
At first, though, we enjoyed warm sunshine and conversation with a couple from Coventry who will be off on holiday to Morocco tomorrow.
We had some beer and a bowl of chips.
One of the first competitors to take off was a British Champion - the ski jumping champion, Eddie the Eagle.
He achieved fame at the 1988 winter Olympics for coming last by a huge margin!
He wore skis and a slid down a sloping box........
......and tumbled down to the water - failing to match his distance of last year. He achieved 7.52 metres.
I wouldn't give him many style marks either!
But there was no wind - not good for flying out long distances on a sail.
This man did the best - reaching almost to the 30 metre mark.
Style looks good.
But the finale is always the same - splash!
This picture shows what spectators can expect tomorrow.
So, it has been a fun day. A good way to spend a wedding anniversary.
Labels: Sussex
