West Pier

Bert has had a lovely day with his Granddad. He stayed with my Dad while I went to do the hotel site visit in Brighton. The site visit and meetings went really well. It’s a lovely hotel. One I’ve been to many a time before. One I’ve stayed in many a time before. One I’ve been rather drunk in many a time before…

At least I know that when I am next there, I won’t be getting drunk. I’ll be running around like the swan I am.

As I left, I walked down the promenade past the old West Pier. It looks so sad. Once a beautiful Victorian Pier, it’s now a tangle of metal work after two separate arson attacks in 2003.

It’s sadly beyond repair and left to the ravages of time. Though still a key feature of the Brighton seafront. That’s seen many changes over the years. But as I drove through Brighton today, there were so many things I remembered from when I lived there. And in Hove Actually (in joke for those who know).

I have so many wonderful memories of the city. It taught me to be able to parallel park into the smallest of spaces. And on both sides of the road. Believe me that when you find a space in Brighton, you will get into it even if it takes a few attempts.

I was reminded of this when I sat for what seemed like an age on Grand Avenue watching two separate drivers reversing into spaces. It did make me smile. Funny the life skills you pick up along the way.

Car crisps

I have to do a hotel site visit in Brighton tomorrow. So I came down to stay the night with my Dad. I bought some snacks for the trip – including a big bag of Marmite crisps. I love Marmite, I love crisps, so I really love Marmite crisps.

I may have accidently eaten the whole bag! It was only afterwards that I saw the warning. They were spot on there….!

Sports fan

Bert is getting the hang of sports. He was most interested in the rugby and football. He wasn’t so keen on me shouting, cheering and jumping around. He’s with the kittens on that one! They tend to leave the room.

In my defence, there was a lot of that going on!

First we watched England beat France in the rugby. That was a very tense match with England coming from behind. And off the back of a rather awful performance last time out.

Then we watched Brighton beat Chelsea in the FA Cup. Again, they came from behind. And off the back of a 7-0 defeat last match out.

I say we, Bert slept through most of the second half. Seems he’s more of a rugby fan.

There were similarities in both my teams. Today the underdogs won. I love an underdog. So that makes me very happy. Wonder who Brighton will get next…

Brighton Blue

Another day visiting another hospital. It’s been a reoccurring thing over the past few years. I’ve come down to see my parents. Mum’s still in hospital in Brighton. It’s the first time I’ve visited her here. So another hospital to add to the list of hospitals I’ve visited one of my parents in. I have told her that she doesn’t get a prize if she ticks them all off!

I loved this mural on the car park wall. It’s captured the highlights of East Sussex. Brighton and Hove hold a special place in my heart. My Dad is Brighton born and bred. I spend many hours visiting my grandparents and Nanna there. And I lived in both for many years too.

I’ve often wondered why the railings, buses and taxis are all painted a shade of Aqua. I still haven’t found out. But I did find out that it’s called ‘Brighton Blue’ and changes shade slightly along the promenade to become ‘Hove Green’. Who knew?!

Down South

When I drive past this viaduct, I know I’m almost at my parents. Today it looked so beautiful in the evening sunshine.

For many years, I went over this on a daily basis on my way to London as it’s the main London to Brighton train line.

It really is a stunning piece of architecture.