Monday, 30 January 2012

Beside the seaside...


I realise that I often run the risk of this being a 'Visit Brighton' blog (I don't need to bother as that already exists). But it a great place to take photos and soak up the sun even on a cold day.


At this time of year, I find the winter suddenly gets to me (usually at the point when I think I have just beaten it). A trip to the beach certainly helped, it was really beautiful, sunny, bright, cold at the weekend, my favourite kind of weather.


Brighton has a big high, constantly shifting shingle beach to cope with the waves. Sometimes it is pushed right to the top of the beach or against the groynes making it impossibly steep to climb up (and great for hiding behind). You can't take 2 steps without having to empty your shoes.


It's very uncomfortable to sit on, but I like it's undulating and ever changing shape. Quite often after a storm you find starfish washed up on the strandline. What's your view; leave them or return them to the sea? I always try and put them back especially if they are way up on the high water line. I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do, but I find them hard to walk past.


The seagulls in Brighton are massive, if you visit with small (or medium-sized) kids, make sure to keep an eye on them or they may be plucked from you and flown out to sea. 


When we first drove to Brighton to find somewhere to live, we got completely lost (as we would many times more - it is a maze of one-way systems designed to confuse and terrify visitors). We drove in through Hove and I was dazzled by the amazing architecture there. This photo doesn't do it justice, but Adelaide Crescent was I think built to rival the Royal Crescent in Bath. There is a chance that I might have made that up.


The beach huts on the seafront have to be a particular colour on the roof and sides. According to the council, 'the shade of green blends with the seascape' how nice. There will of course always be someone who doesn't comply with the rules. That beach hut ended up on ebay for £24

That's my Brighton infomercial over for the day. If you need anymore dubious facts about Brighton that may or may not be made up, you know where to come.

7 comments:

  1. I love reading your Brighton posts -- please keep them up. I spent my Junior year at the Univ. of Sussex, so it's fun to hear about what Brighton is like now.

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    1. Thanks Valerie, I need no more encouragement than that!

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  2. I love reading your Brighton posts too. I miss it there. Mind you if the cold is getting to you it's going to be a nice 26 degrees here today. Pop on a plane and I'll take you to the beach here. xxx

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    1. I think now would be the perfect time to move back, it's a sprightly 2 degrees today, who needs 26?

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  3. I have never been to Brighton but the photos are fab, so colourful and inspiring. Can I ask, do you use a photography programme on your photos or add any effects? I would love to take photos like yours.

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    1. Hi Fearnie, yes I used Instamatic on the iPhone, it has lots of different filters to use after you have taken, hence the lovely colours :)

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  4. Oh that bought back such memories. The first time I arrived in Brighton was the first time I left Cornwall under my own steam and I drove along the one way system, past Preston Park and into town and thought what had I done, it was busy and dirty and scary and then I reached the seafront and went "Ah-ha!"

    That was nearly 12 years ago and I have retreated to a quieter life the other side of Lewes but I still love a wander along the seafront. Those cold, bright days really are something special and I love your pictures. You have captured the place perfectly.

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