By Bus To The Amex Stadium
It wasn’t the easiest to find the bus at first, as there didn’t appear to be any information. In the end I struck lucky, with a bit of phone guidance from my son, who used to live in the city. But getting off left me on a busy dual carriageway with the stadium on the other side of the road.
By Bus To The Amex Stadium
It’s on cold rainy nights that bus information systems like London and a few other places have, come into their own, as you know which stop to get out.
Eventually, I found my way in, by the time-honoured method of finding the walking crowd and following them.
I could have got a train, as my match ticket, included a free bus or train ticket from Brighton, but that would have meant walking back to the station.
But getting to the Amex, is infinitely better that getting to some stadia I’ve visited.
Carluccio’s Winter Warmer
It was a bit damp and cold in Brighton yesterday and it made me get back on the soup.
Carluccio’s Winter Warmer
Their minestrone soup is gluten-free, if you have oatcakes instead of bread and really warms you up.
It’s almost a complete lunch in itself.
Brighton Names The Buses
I’ve said before that buses should be named. Brighton does it!
Brighton Names The Buses
This may be different too, but it’s a brave attempt at a livery that gives you information.
To Brighton via Cable Car And A Lot More
And a few other things too!
I had plenty of time yesterday to get to the Ipswich match at Brighton, so I thought, I’d see how many different forms of transport I could use.
1. A 21 Bus to Bank
I started the simple way by getting on this 21 bus to take me to Bank station for the DLR.
A 21 Bus To Bank
It didn’t actually go to Bank, as southbound buses have to take a detour at Moorgate because of Crossrail.
2. Docklands Light Railway to Royal Victoria Docks
I then took the DLR to Royal Victoria Dock station for the cable-car.
DLR Train At Bank
I did take a pause at Limehouse station to take pictures of the Hydraulic Accumulator Tower.
3. Emirates Air-Line To North Greenwich
I’d actually come this way to give me a good title to the post. But, as I had a gondola to myself, I was able to take good pictures of the Crossrail site at Limmo.
The Crossrail Site On The Limmo Peninsular
Work seems to be proceeding at speed and hopefully Elizabeth and Victoria will be dropped in the big hole soon.
4. Jubilee Line To Canada Water
This was the point, I realised I hadn’t got an SD card in the camera, so I purchased one by the O2.
Jubilee Line At Canada Water
At least the Jubilee line was working properly.
5.Lift To The Overground
This might seem like blatant cheating to get my count up. It is!
Lift To The Overground
Although it was a nice clean lift!
6. Overground To West Croydon
Those who know London’s transport system can argue that I should have taken the Jubilee line to London Bridge station and got a train from there. But hey! That would not be fun.
Arriving At West Croydon
But even the Overground takes you to wrong station at Croydon for Brighton. But at least, West Croydon station now has a quick exit to the tram.
7. Tram To East Croydon
At least when you’re going West to East in Croydon, the Tramlink is simple.
Tram at East Croydon
In fact, if say I’m coming from Brighton to my home, I will probably go direct to the London terminus. But going south, I tend to take the Overground from close by my house and then the tram to East Croydon station, as I did here.
8. Train To Brighton
I bought my first ticket of the day. a senior return to Brighton for £11.70.
My Train To Brighton Arrives
I arrived in Brighton on time.
I then walked down the hill to Carluccio’s for an early supper.
Max Miller
Max Miller, the Cheeky Chappie, has a statue in the Pavilion Gardens.
He really was a comedian with a unique style and if you ever get a chance to listen to one of the recordings made of his act, you should.
A London Bendy-Bus Has Retired to Brighton
This used to be one of London’s infamous bendy-buses.
Retired London Bendy Bus in Brighton
It seems to be happily retired in Brighton. I suppose with all its hills, there are less cyclists for the bus to knock over.
Interestingly, the middle door has been removed and you enter at the front and get out at the back. So this would have eliminated the major problem on London’s bendys; fare-evasion.
Down the Hill to the Royal Pavilion
I walked down the hill from the New England Quarter to the Royal Pavilion, which is not that far from the sea-front.
The Royal Pavilion is really one of the most amazing buildings in the UK, if not Europe. I went in and despite the cold and it being a Monday in March it was surprisingly busy. They do charge, but you do get a free audio guide.
After visiting the Royal Pavilion, I went and had lunch in Carluccio’s, which is just a few metres outside the Pavilion Gardens.
It was then a walk back-up the hill, although I could have got a 7 or 27 bus back to the station.
A Trip to Brighton
I went to Brighton today, as I thought a trip to the seaside might help my breathing.
I also wanted to take a look at OneBrighton, as it was built, by the same company developing the Hanging Gardens of Dalston.
The web site for the development doesn’t show any pictures of the buildings, So I wasn’t sure if I was photographing it or not.
Housing in Brighton's New England Quarter
This is some of the housing in what is now called the New England Quarter. These flats would not be for everyone, as they are built on a hill and you wouldn’t want to struggle back up with your shopping. It’s also a mainly car-free development. Surely, though, if you are building on the side of a hill, then the paths should follow the contours of the land between roads with bus routes on them. I don’t think the paths between the blocks do.
It’s not an area that I like.
But I did like Brighton station nearby. And especially the roof!
Brighton Station Roof
But then Victorian railway engineers did roofs well.
Incidentally, my trip cost me just £11.70 from Victoria, which was effectively the cost from the area of my Freedom Pass with the discount for a Senior Railcard.
So that was good value in my book.
Only in Brighton
The Radio 5 commentators were complaining that at the new AMEX Community Stadium there are so many different teas, like camomile, nettle, ginger and mint, that they couldn’t find any proper tea.
Are they all Marxists in Brighton?
By the way they got chicken soup and fruit cake at half-time! Not very American! Although it’s probably quite quick to prepare and consume.
The Anonymous Widower 