Jet Lag Averted

I'm not sure how I beat jet lag, but I have! Spent a lovely relaxing day with Ali - chatting in bed, drinking tea, enjoying the beauty that is Peacock Lane.



Met up with Wendy & Freddy on the Seafront.



How much does Freddy look like Richard??

xo

Brighton Welcomes Me Back

My plane left Vancouver yesterday at 2:20pm and I arrived at London Gatwick Airport at 8am. It never really got dark on the plane ride so I slept very little. Instead I was engaged in a quite lovely conversation with the couple sitting next to me - he actually works for NATO. I have to admit, although I did manage to pull North Atlantic Treaty Organization out of my head, I have no idea what NATO is or does. After our conversation, I'm no closer. But we did talk about living in Belgium and how that tiny country is so different depending on which part a person is in. In the North, attitudes and values are more aligned with the Dutch; in the south, more so with the French. Mike and his wife, Annette, were the perfect people to sit with. Interesting, funny, engaging and experienced travellers.

Getting through Customs always makes me a little anxious since we initial debacle coming into England in 2008. The agents always seem to have a tone. "Really, you'll be staying with friends the whole time?" - somehow how implying, "You have friends? I find that hard to believe". Thanks, buddy! And Welcome to England!

We managed to pack in a full day, fuelled by loads and loads of caffeine. First breakfast outside the Pavillion where Stuart was appalled when I wanted to order Eggs Benny. Not because of the food itself, but the fact that I would shorten "Benedict" to "Benny"!









Met up with Chris & Patou for a stroll through the Lanes, then decided to go into the country. We went through Rottingdean and passed this:

Which led, naturally, to this:

Then we took a stroll through Rudyard Kipling Garden, then off to the Vintage Fair in Firle. The saying is that one man's junk is another man's treasure, but a lot of time one man's junk is just that. Initially, Stuart said that no one could get into the car if they hadn't bought anything, but that was eventually amended to anyone who bought anything wasn't allowed back! (I did find a cloak, but it wasn't quite right...)

After a refreshing pear and soda at the Ram Inn, we carried on to Lewes, where we stopped in at the Snowdrop Pub for some lunch, then off to Kim & Tabs' place in the country. Finally, we made it to my home for the next two weeks - 81 Peacock Lane.

So much laughter and connectedness. I haven't been here in two years but it's like no time has passed at all.

Back in Vancouver

Well, what a trip!! Saturday night was out with the girls, although it wasn't quite the clubbing night we were hoping for, but we gave it our best nonetheless...























And the trip came full circle - on the flight back I sat next to a Brit from Bronte - we had a great time chatting away. Made the trip much more bearable, especially the 90 minute wait on the runway...

It was truly sad to leave Brighton - it feels like a second home to me. Love to all my friends that made this trip so wonderful. xoxoxo

Apparently it's Party Time Again

Good thing I'm back tomorrow - these guys look like they're planning to move in!

Yesterday we took a walk past Brighton Marina to the Undercliffs at Ovingdean. There is a little cafe where I was talking to a lovely woman with a Whippet named Sofie. Then I looked up and it was Fleur - what a wonderful surpise! We spent the afternoon with her and Maya strolling along the seafront. Serendipity is one of the joys of life.





Only two days left in England - I'm feeling very sad that my trip is coming to an end. And the weather seeems to know my mood as it is overcast and grey today...

Look Who's Coming for Dinner!

 

Cheeky buggers!!

Day in London

Yesterday had a lovely day shopping in Brighton. Fortified myself with a delicious latte at 33, then poked about in the North Laines. Bought myself a fabulous new bag - couldn't resist the handmade red leather beauty. I was completely knackered after that so had a well-deserved nap. Was gently woken up by Ali telling me it was time to go to the Chilli Pickle. One of the best meals I've had in Brighton. It made me change my opinion about lamb. Here I am with the lovely Moss siblings.






















Today we met up with Maria and went to the Tate Modern to see the Miro exhibit. Really interesting to see the progression from the early beginnings of his realist works to the surrealist end. And the Tate itself is a work of art.

The weather turned this morning and thus wasn't as crazy busy as the other times I've been in London. We had a long lunch at Fish! in Borough Market near London Bridge. Maria had the sardines - eyes and all...

 

Another successful day. Here's Ali rocking out on the train back.