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.

Long Man of Wilmington

Today, Ali, Wendy & I travelled to the Long Man of Wilmington, a huge chalk figure in the East Sussex countryside. Like many things in England, his origins and meaning are unknown and debated. What I can tell you is that he is 227 feet tall and strikes quite a figure. During WW II the he was painted green to avoid being used as a landmark for German aircraft. In 2010, he was given a 20 penis. (Tee hee - that was a prank and it has subsequently washed away.)





The initial walk planned was 2.5 hours, but we quickly realized that was much too ambitious in the heat. Instead we took a lovely stroll along the bottom of the field, retraced our steps back and then off to Firle, and the Ram Inn pub for lunch. There I tried pigeon for the first time, although I could hear a pigeon cooing away and I felt a pang of guilt. We wandered around the county estate of Firle, which was amazing - still working after 500 years.








We walked by one of the houses and there was a basket of freshly baked bread. It was in the shape on an "s" so I had to buy it!



I found the day to be quite exhausting, so upon our return I went back to the beach for a nap. I needed my strength for table tennis at the Bristol Arms later. Didn't fare much better than last week, I'm afraid. That Chris is impossible to beat!

Oxford

Having a hard time writing the blog today - too much to tell!! We drove up to Oxford yesterday. Wow - talk about "steeped in history". It was truly inspiring to think of all the great minds that have gone there. Oxford is really magical. It is difficult to imagine modern students going to such a old univeristy. Seems incongruous somehow - one expects cloaks and wands, not jeans and laptops. Ali treated me to a lovely lunch at Jamie Oliver's Italia restaurant, then more poking about.

























The higlight was punting on the River Cherwell. Ali grew up in Oxford and had never done it! A tourist in her own town... A lovely student from Bristol University punted us about - an idyllic way to spend a sunny afternoon.



Then off to The Eagle & Child, known fondly as the Bird & Baby by it's resident writers JRR Tolkien & CS Lewis. It has been around since 1684 - put that in your pipe and smoke it!
















Met up with Nick & Eileen, who took the train down from Leamington Spa. Great to catch up with old friends in new settings. I really, really love this country.

Sunny Sunday

Had a leisurely morning yesterday, then popped over to Kim & Tabitha's had had a lovely visit in their garden. Sounds so English! We left there in order to get home for Formula 1, then cricket. I went to the beach. Today was the first really hot day so I was in heaven. Although not enough heaven to actually swin in the sea. I really want to, but there is always a breeze, so I never get quite hot enough to do so.



Came home to check in and decided to take a walk to the other end of the beach. I wanted to experience the great English public on a sunny Sunday afternoon but didn't want to subject Ali & Stuart to that! Put on my iPod and set out...








Had a delightful visit with Iain & Fleur - they had just returned from two children's parties and I think they were in need of some adult conversation!

Pork belly and potatoes for dinner, with homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam for dessert.