The first thing we noticed was the general physical shabbiness. Many buildings were in urgent need of renovation or redecoration, though the residents and other tourists didn't seem bothered. There were also the usual rough sleepers and graffiti.
But people were very friendly if we seemed lost or needed some help - bus drivers especially.
We were there at the start of the annual Brighton Festival, so enjoyed some great events - a concert by the London Symphony Orchestra, a concert by the Herbie Flowers jazz band, and a talk by Caroline Lucas, the solitary Green MP. We also checked out the Royal Pavilion (unbelievably lavish), Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Hove Museum and the Castle and Museum at Lewes, a few miles north of Brighton.
Everybody seemed to be having a splendid time, with hardly a miserable face to be seen. Brighton is known for its gay and "alternative" vibe and we saw plenty of piercings and tattoos and even two men wearing skirts.
The enormous breakfasts at our guest house kept us fuelled for most of the day. In the evening, as well as our usual visits to Pizza Express, we tried two nearby restaurants, one Indian and the other Italian.
So how would I sum up Brighton? Let's say scruffy, funky, exuberant and easy-going.
You clearly had a great time.....had they sorted out the rubbish collection by the time you went?
ReplyDeleteHelen: The 2021 bin collectors strike was resolved fairly quickly but bin collectors have voted for another strike if current talks over working practices get nowhere.
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful time. I think I might like scruffy, funky, exuberant and easy-going!
ReplyDeleteSandra: Yes, that's an appealing mix, isn't it?
DeleteWell done on having a great break and enjoying yourselves.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
www: Thanks. It went even better than we were expecting.
DeleteThat sounds great. It must have been fun to return after so many years. Spring is a great time for a beach vacation. Plus, it sounds like there was plenty to see and do. Glad you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Yes, it was fun to return after so long. It was very different from my rather vague memories.
DeleteWelcome back. Glad you enjoyed your break.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: Thanks. Back and greatly refreshed!
DeletePleased you had such a good time. Sounds as if Brighton would appeal to this old hippy.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: I think it would definitely appeal to you.
DeleteNick, how nice you had a good time in Brighton and that the weather "played the game" as we say in German. We made a 2 day visit to Brighton some years ago when invited to a wedding in London. It's a nice little town , but I found it quite dirty and really overcrowded.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: I like the phrase "played the game". Yes, Brighton isn't too clean or smart, and it's certainly overcrowded. But we ignored all that and enjoyed all the good things Brighton had to offer.
DeleteSure sounds like you guys had a good time.
ReplyDeleteMary: We had a great time. And our hotel room had a wonderful view of the pier and the promenade.
DeleteThat sounds lovely. Did you go on the pier? Fish and chips? :)
ReplyDeleteLiam: We went on the pier a couple of times. No fish and chips though, we're vegetarian.
DeleteSo Brighton is Newtown at the beach? I can't imagine anything better
ReplyDeleteOh, like Newtown in Sydney? Yes, you could say it was something like that!
DeleteNick, how wonderful for you and Jenny to have gone on a holiday and despite the few drawbacks you mentioned it does seem that overall you had a good time. Hearing the London Symphony, a jazz concert and checking out some museums sounds like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: It was a lot of fun, and the Brighton Festival events were excellent.
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