My Ozzie daughter J has never been to Brighton, so we had a trip there last week.
Brighton is a seaside town on the south coast of England. Originally a small decaying fishing town it rapidly turned into an established seaside resort for the rich and famous thanks to the Prince of Wales and its proximity to London.
In the mid 1780's George, Prince of Wales, rented a small lodging house overlooking a fashionable promenade. He had been advised by his physicians that his health would benefit from Brighton’s mild climate and sea water treatments, which included ‘dipping’ (total body immersion into the salt sea water). We didn't even dip a toe in the water, we were more interested in walking around The Lanes, a historic maze of narrow, traffic-free pedestrian alleyways known for traditional jewellers, antique shops, independent boutiques, and lovely eateries. 

I like this shop and had visited last time I was there

 it's full of tat or treasure

I loved this hat but didn't buy it, I'm such a practical person and asked myself "When would I wear it"? and the answer was "Probably never".

Brighton has two very different historical piers: the Palace Pier is an amusement park, while the historic West Pier is now a sad skeleton. It was closed to the public in 1975 after decades of declining popularity. In December 2002 it suffered major storm damage, followed by two suspected arson attacks in March and May 2003 leaving a rusted framework.

But there is a positive outcome though - it now serves as a protected roosting site for local starlings.

oOo

We have been doing some retail therapy, enjoying afternoon cream tea, and going to a lovely lake where my eldest daughter does wild swimming. J and I walk around the lake and then have a picnic in the shade until A joins us.

Last time we were there we jokingly said the ducks were having a meeting to discuss what they were going to do about all those humans in their lake.

Yesterday it looked as if they were intending to sabotage the swimmers! They wouldn't though, ducks and swimmers exist in mutual harmony. 

On the subject of waterfowl I saw the Canada Geese family recently. The gosling with the deformed wing was preening itself and then spread it wings and flapped them and they looked perfect fully open, so hopefully it will be able to fly. Maybe it's just a problem when it tucks them back in. 

oOo

We have been to watch my son-in-law bowling this evening. It's a lovely way to spend a couple of hours with a glass of something chilled. The birds were chirping before settling down for the night, the very quiet bowling and the sound of the bells from the next door church, it is the quintessential English village. 

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

She's Here

My darling Ozzie daughter arrived on Tuesday and will be here for a whole month. She has never been to Brighton so yesterday my eldest daughter drove us there for a day trip. I thought she might be too tired but she has acclimatised very well. My eldest daughter has created an excellent itinerary (we love an itinerary), so we have lots of things to do as well as down time just sitting in the garden with wine and nibbles chatting.

I am so happy.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games #3

My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, her home has been destroyed but her family is safe. Gale has escaped and Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans—except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay - no matter what the personal cost.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

A Nice Day Out

On Wednesday my WI group had a lovely trip on a canal boat

There were lots of people on paddle boards

It was a lovely tranquil trip on the water

and the weather was glorious, sunny with a nice breeze

The only dissapointment was we didn't know the cafe closed at 4 which was when our trip finished, so no coffee and cake ☹

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Spot The Parents

It's very difficult to identify the parents from the children now!

I'm pretty sure this is a parent

One of the goslings has deformed wings. The Essex Wildlife Trust have received

a number of calls but there is nothing they can do. I've asked around and other wildlife organisations say the same.

The poor little thing won't be able to fly, it will have to do the best it can.

I know it's nature, it happens but it's distressing, and I felt very upset. But watching it for a few minutes it is behaving exactly the same as its siblings, cleaning itself, eating and chasing off any of the ducks attempting to steal its food. A good friend B said "It might surprise you and end up being the strongest" I hope so.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Happy Birthday

Yesterday my village pub celebrated the first year after re-opening. The AGM was a couple of weeks ago at which we shareholders were pleased to hear that the pub is doing well.

It was busy all day.

A guest singer was in from 1 - 3 and the regular singer was in from 3

The garden was popular

the weather was glorious

everyone had a good time

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

Friends of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig

After much searching, happily married young couple, Amber and Stevie think they have found the perfect spot in Grimaldi Square. Despite the rundown pub across the way, the overgrown garden and a decidedly nosy neighbour, number 4 is the house of their dreams. Stevie, a woman who has never left anything to chance, has planned everything so nothing can spoil their happiness. But... upstairs in their new home, seated on an old red sofa is the woman they bought the place from - eighty-year-old foul-mouthed, straight-talking, wise-cracking Dorothy - who has decided that she's not going anywhere. Dorothy will be the first in a line of life-changing surprises.

There are lots of lovely, quirky, friendly characters in the community.

It’s a lovely, touching, funny novel about a family that is not biological, but logical. Some of it is a bit twee but still a good read.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

See How They've Grown

Not much is happening here at the moment. We've had work done to the house, cleaning patios, general tidying up, and I have done a lot of work in the garden which is looking lovely.

My friend M and I went to Colchester last week. It was a trip organised by the U3a with an optional onward trip to Wivenhoe. We've been to Wivenhoe before so we decided to stay in Colchester, there are some very nice shops and little alleyways and courtyards with individual shops.

On the way home I did my usual stop at the neighbouring village pond to check in on the Canada Geese goslings.

They spotted the food

Their tail and body markings are developing

They will soon be as big as their parents.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games #2

Sparks are igniting.
Flames are spreading.
And the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even, after all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance, Peeta has turned his back on her completely, and there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest that she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour the stakes are higher than ever. For the entertainment of The Capitol during the games (and to aid their survival) Katniss and Peeta pretended to be deeply in love. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that that is still the case, the consequences will be horrifying.

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

Harrods

My friend M says that Harrods coffee is the best she has tasted so the the plan was to go there for coffee and she could get some makeup, then go to the Victoria & Albert museum. That didn't happen, we ended up staying at Harrods for most of the day! 

The last time I visited was about 1995/6. I took my mother, she had never been to Harrods and was thrilled to finally be going. As we were walking through the food hall I saw a woman who was the image of Princess Diana, when I saw a young Prince Harry with her and two bodyguards behind her I realised that it was Princess Diana. We were both so excited and my mother was beside herself with joy, not only had she got to visit Harrods but had also seen Princess Diana. It was a wonderful experience for her, one she loved relaying to family and friends.

It was the place everyone wanted to visit - it was so posh. Today, oh my word, it is opulent, a beautiful building, sumptious decor, selling gorgeous things! By the time we had wandered around and M had bought her makeup we were in need of refreshments. It was almost midday so we decided to have lunch, after which we did more wandering around looking at things we couldn't afford to buy!

and checked out the Georgian restaurant with a view to treating ourselves to  afternoon tea, which is expensive at £75 per person, but we're worth it, and there are quite a few deals to be had reducing that to £56. I've seen a review on Youtube, and it looks amazing.

By this time it was too late to go to the V&A so we mooched around a bit more and then walked along Brompton Road for a while before returning home.

The only thing I bought was this delicious crème brûlée.

We will probably go to the V&A next time.

And M was right, the coffee was GOOD

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Keeping Active

A few weeks ago a friend had to have an ECG. Thankfully the results were good, in fact the consultant said she had a very healthy heart. She asked what she could do to keep it that way, he advised keeping active and walk for 30 minutes each day.

Since my dear Rufus died I haven't been doing much walking. I've been swimming twice a week for over a year but I don't enjoy it as much as walking, I also do Joe Wicks seniors exercises, which are very good. He says it's important to keep moving, no matter how small the movements, just keep the body active. So I have made an effort and now try to do an hours walk at least twice a week, sometimes with my daughter, or on my own, and my U3a evening walks have started.

I see a few animals when walking around the village.

The Guinea Fowl wander around all over the place.

There are two Llamas, the other one was sitting down 

 

I've also seen lots of rabbits and a fox but they don't pose for photos! 

I always enjoy walking around a local park 

that's my lovely daughter with her dog

the Wisteria was stunning

I need to go back to see the roses and the summer plants.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x