That English Channel

THE ENGLISH CHANNEL IS THE BODY OF WATER that separates England from France, while also being the body of water under which the Eurostar connects the two countries. It is 350 miles long, 150 miles wide and 571 feet at its deepest, with a history of its early 19th-century seaside tourism being a significant influence to resorts worldwide.

The English Channel has also borne witness to our first few weeks in England, spent mainly in the town of Brighton. Although the stay is no holiday, there's no ignoring the breathtaking view of the seaside, unfolding behind endless grassy fields, or peeking in through lanes of Regency-style buildings. Down by the water is lovely too, where the four-mile seafront is interrupted only by some gulls, a ferry's wheel and fair ground lights. For reference, four miles is about the length of six hundred seventy-seven double-decker buses lined up.

Close to where we lodged was the Undercliff Walk, east of the Brighton Marina where magnificent chalk cliffs run all the way to Saltdean. In my experience at least, the wind is always wild. But on a sunny day, the violent hair-whipping and skirt-blowing is worth the vistas of raging turquoise and sea foam. Hectic days don't look at all that frantic against such a backdrop and walking the dog has never been so scenic.

Still, we couldn't have been readier to move into our new London home. This channel will now at last resume regular programming. Thank you for the spectacular views.

Undercliff Walk, Brighton. visitbrighton.com Photos by Lady San Pedro and Jaime Sese.