April in Brighton

This time last year Irene and I were into the second leg of our New Zealand journey. It began to feel cold as the days shortened and the evening temperatures dropped below 20 degrees. Now we are in a country and in a season where the days are getting longer, but still  the thermometer refuses to climb.

So, it was not surprising that our first April visit was to buy more loft insulation. At the same time we picked up compost in the hope that spring would soon arrive.

Near to B and Q is a place called Locko Park. The plan was to have a picnic in the car followed by a chilly walk. However, the park gates said that they would be locked at 1.00 pm. The new plan was a quick walk in and out and then home.

This meant that we would be back in time to lay the insulation and for Irene and I to give more time to the railway.

The next day the Summer house arrived and building began. We actually got as far as putting on the roof and most windows.

 The following day was the arrival of my new 300 mm lens. It is a great piece of kit with vibration reduction. It even has a setting for taking pictures from a moving vehicle. It can tell if the movement is accidental or deliberate.

On Saturday we went down to Nan's. The long awaited aquarium now had a few fish in it.

The next Wednesday of the month came round. Irene and I had plans to drive to the canal at Sandiacre, walk along the canal to Long Eaton, have snack lunch and walk home.

However, we had the pleasure of our friend Lawrence coming over to do a plumbing repair. He wanted to know our plans and offered to take us to the canal and walk with us, if we had a woolly hat. The time was to be spent so that he could check for leaks when we returned.

Off we set along the canal. Half way along Lawrence's phone rang. His wife, Jan wanted to know where he was. The plan was further modified and she would meet us for lunch.

However, we got to Long Eaton too late for morning coffee and too early for lunch. So, off we set beyond the chimneys of Long Eaton to the pub at Trent Lock.

Lawrence and Jan

The 'meal deal' was for two courses. Now, Jan and Lawrence prefer a starter and we prefer a sweet. Therefore, we sat through their starter course and enjoyed the main course together. Then, time was running out for Jan's parking in Long Eaton and they set off back to the Asda car park. We sat and sat before realising that our sweet was not forthcoming.

The sweet came, was consumed and off we set. The phone rang. The call was to turn back and wait to be collected. Back we went to Sandiacre, transferred from one car to the other and back home.

The repair was leaking. We now have a more sophisticated piece of plumbing which will make future repairs easier. Thank you Lawrence AND Jan.

Now to Brighton. The reason was to see Joe on his birthday. We set off on a sunny Saturday morning but drove into rain at the Pease Pottage service area north of Brighton. We found our accommodation, unpacked and set off on foot, in the rain to the Royal Pavillion to meet Joe and Julia.

We discovered that the Pavillion was open every day, but the museum and gallery would be closed on Monday. So, here we are in the museum and Joe and Julia are interacting via a football game. Don't ask why.

After this adventure we went off to find food. Would you believe that the restaurant was a meatless one called 'Wai Kika Moo Kau'. Please follow the link to see the connection to New Zealand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waikikamukau. 

Then came another drenching and a bus back to Preston Park. Back at the flat I sampled Joe's fine whiskey, played a game called 'Ticket to Ride' (Please note that just about everyone in the Norwood circle are hooked on the game in its various forms.)

The following day we had plans to meet with Joe and Julia for a birthday dinner in the town centre, a visit to a museum, birthday cake in the local park before going our separate ways.

It was decided the four of us would meet for Sunday lunch in town. Irene and I had a pleasant walk down to the sea front. It happened to be the morning of the Brighton marathon and so we, somewhat unwillingly, joined the crowds cheering on the 10,000 runners. This event could well explain the lack of accommodation and the high price of rooms at this time of year.

Walking against the runners and the crowds we eventually found a tunnel through to the beach and we could enjoy the sight and sound of the sea in the gravel. Last June the harsh, cold winds forced us back into town.

Lunch time meant a crossing in the other direction which the marshals made possible through the remaining stragglers.

We met Joe and Julia at St Georges pub which, being Brighton was, once more meatless.

From there we made our way to the 'Booth Museum' http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/museums/boothmuseum/pages/home.aspx which was near our accommodation. We had passed this a number of times and it looked like a Salvation Army hall and I had expected it to have some connection with it. However the vast building had been bought to house the growing natural history collection of an Edward Booth who lived a smaller house next door.

From the museum we crossed the road to buy beverages and went to sit in the park and cut Joe's birthday cake with a wooden stirring stick.Improvisation can be fun. Then, once more, our plans were changed. Instead separating at this spot we all walked back to our car and drove back to J and J's flat. We had another game of 'Ticket to Ride', a delightful supper and then, having said our goodbyes, we drove back to our room and bed.

In the morning we walked back down to the Pavilion. The interior is just as magnificent as the outside. In fact it was very much over the top in regards to opulence. Unfortunately photography was not allowed, but it was well worth the visit. 

After lunch we took a decision to use our bus passes and see where they led us. With little information we boarded a bus towards Eastbourne. A local man sat opposite us and he suggested that we head for the Seven Sisters. We were to keep on the bus until it crossed a one-way bridge and then get off.

The bus stop was at the Seven Sisters Park and visitors centre. We wanted to get on to the headland which would look back on to the cliffs themselves. Taking the advice of the  centre employee we set off back along the road with instruction to keep left and not go up the river path. He did warn us of mud, and, mud we found. So, like others heading back we did.

Having taken photographs of the mud and the cliffs in the distance we returned to the road and went back across the river to take the beach walk.

This was more do-able and we were able, once again, to enjoy the sound of the sea, but also to be able to get close to the white cliffs.

This is a picture of the vantage
 point at the other side of the river

The adventure ended and we returned to Brighton, walked past the Brighton Eye and found our way to fish and chips on the sea front.

After a last photograph of the sun setting on the arches we made the trudge back up Dyke Road and so to bed.

The following morning we left with the intention of stopping at a garden, but the weather was not pleasant and so we stopped off in Milton Keynes to see Nan and Tim before heading home.

Once home the work on the summer house continued. I decided to finish it off with a bit of decking. The first step was to raise it on to four inch high bearers, which I helped my friend Alan to do. Then came the cutting and mounting the decking on to a frame.

As a final touch the sign of ownership was added to the front. The floor is now carpeted and the room has been used on most days since.

On Sunday our church friends, Brian and Teresa celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Irene had the idea of giving them a painting which is seen in this photograph.

Pastor Dave Mansfield
with the happy couple

In the afternoon we popped over to Joni and Fiona's new house with the last of their plants.

It is a good house with a well established garden. Having moved in on Saturday they spent most of the rest of the week  getting it organised and adding new furniture.

Irene and I are pleased that they have been able to make this big step and wish them well.