The bright, sunny weather promised for Monday did not materialise, so The 'Saltire' and I stayed indoors by the huge gas-driven roaring log fire at Bicknell Grange and gossipped irreverently about our mutual friends. I learned quite a lot, some of which actually surprised me, about some kilties I thought I knew reasonably well - especially ........ No! No I must not divulge any names ....... I promised I would keep schtum, and I am a man of my word.

On Tuesday, the sun did shine but, alas, the temperature remained below freezing and the north-easterly wind had an edge like a freshly honed blade. Still, this was The 'Saltire's' last day at Storrington for, on Wednesday it was due to fly back to the heat of San Jose in California with its palm trees and Saguaro cactii (!) in readiness for the NorCal Burns Supper. So, the sun was shining and what does one do when the sun shines? One makes a dash for the coast! Yes, well, we did that and it was so cold that our teeth were chattering uncontrollably - not that The 'Saltire' has teeth, but you know what I mean! We were in Worthing (the nearest seaside resort to Storrington) which lies a few miles to the west of Brighton and faces over to France. You cannot actually see France from Worthing because it lies below the horizon, but that's where you would see it, were it possible....!

Here we are, on the beach and wishing we weren't:



The pier, one of Britain's oldest, has a theatre, an amusements arcade a Night Club and the usual refreshment vendor's kiosks along its length. At this time of year, however, only the theatre is functioning. Here is an arty-crafty image I took whilst we were there:



We snapped this shot about half-way along the pier - in the far distance, behind us, is Brighton and the white chalk cliffs of Beachy Head:



When we reached the end of the pier, The 'Saltire' fancied a few moments of free-flight:



........ but was pleased, I think, to return to the warmth of my gloved hands. It was time to get back to the car before any frozen parts of the anatomy dropped off, but one last photo had to be taken. On Worthing's sea front, is the Dome Cinema, believed to be the oldest working cinema in the British Isles where films have been shown since 1911. The interior, which has been restored, is much the same as it was in those days but audiences now enjoy the wide-screen and surround sound! The building, seen behind us, is something of a temple for devotees of the early days of movies:



As we sat in the car, thawing out, one final location awaiting a visit from The 'Saltire' came to mind.

To be continued.........

Take care,
Ham.