Two fingers to the Easter weather forecasts, I'm off to the seaside

March 31 2010 , Written by thediversetraveller Published on #Bournemouth, #Brighton, #coach, #day trips, #Easter, #Hastings, #London, #National Express, #Ola Fagbohun, #Ondolady, #rail, #seaside, #stlyishly cheap travel, #train, #travel, #Travel News, #weather, #weather forecasts

I am poo-pooing the weather forecast of torrential rain and gale force winds this Easter to spend the Easter holidays at the seaside; Bournemouth, Hastings and Brighton to be exact.

Many nay-sayers said I was crazy, "why waste the Easter break being miserable, cos the closest you'll get to the sea will be inside a seaside cafe?". "Not me", I said, "I'm ready for bad weather, I'm layering up and wearing my long water-proof boots." Fortunately, Ronke, who travelled with me to Canada last year, was equally optimistic, so together we planned our Easter escape.

Determined to experience the seaside comfortably, but mindful of our small budget, I searched the web for the cheapest form of travel. I knew it would not be easy less than a week before Easter, but even if I say so myself I am a good researcher. Since we are willing to leave London early, before 9am, and schedule our return for early evening (before 8pm), I found and booked the following day trips:

Bournemouth on Good Friday travelling by National Express coach: leaving London at 8am and arriving in Bournemouth at 10.25am; leaving Bournemouth 19:15 arriving in London 21:50 (due to clear roads we arrived at 21:20) Cost: £19 return

Hastings on Saturday travelling by train (booked via National Express trains - no booking fee) Cost: £17.15

Brighton on Easter Sunday travelling by train (booked via National Express trains) Cost: £11.55

Total travel costs for Easter by the seaside: £47.70 (using my student rail card - a perk from my three months as a FT student. Add 25% on each fare and it's still a bargain).

Now I've saved us money, it's time to pray we'll have similar luck with the weather; I've got everything crossed.