I haven't been able further explore the Jurasic Coast so far (see previous post).
As an interlude I decided to voyage from Rye to Hastings. The navigation is simple; follow the coast and keep clear of ledges close to the shore.
I regard Rye as a proxy home port for PicoMicroYacht. This is because Full Throttle Boat Charters is based there, and they provided the backup for the PicoMicroYacht English Channel crossing.
Walking through Rye Port, I saw the rib that accompanied me, tucked into a boat park. I paid homage by sneaking a photograph.
Spot the rib in the background
PicoMicroYacht was then launched and drifted away from the slipway as I put the oars in their gates.
Near the entrance the sea was calm but the clouds heralded more wind.
Out to sea there was a crude but effective navigational tripod.
Just before the cliffs is a beach called Pett Level. The beach and nearby cliffs provided a backdrop for David Bowie's 'Ashes to Ashes' video.
I quickly moved on, reaching Old Hastings in less than an hour. Here the fishing boat are hauled up on the beach, looking even more scenic from the sea.
The tide and wind continued to push me on and I overshot Hastings to reach St Leonards on Sea.
A convenient small reef calmed the sea and created a lagoon, making it easier to land without swamping.
The voyage took 3.5 hours, covering the 12.5 miles from Rye Port to St Leonards on Sea.
David Bowie's Ashes to Ashes video at Pett Level
David Bowie on the beach with his 'mum'
In those days pop videos were a bit different
The Ashes to Ashes video was directed by David Mallett and David Bowie in 1980, and includes stunning visual effects achieved using just camera settings and filters.
As well as showing the Pett Level beach, the video ends with an actress cast as David Bowie's mother. She is shown remonstrating with him, because the song finishes with the refrain: 'My mother said, to get things done, you had better not mess with Major Tom.'