A few hours in Brighton

We woke to a heavy frost this morning, and my side of the bed, closest to the wall, was very cold.   When I looked out of the window the side of the caravan was covered in a thin layer of ice.   Luckily we had covered the water barrel with a few sheets of bubble wrap.  We had water in the caravan. Great. 

Once we were up, with the heater on circulation, the caravan quickly heated up, and we ate our breakfast in warmth.   I thought I would try the shower out in the caravan which worked exceedingly well, and the water went straight down the drain instead of pooling on the floor opposite the drainhole.  This always happened in both our motor homes.

Then it was off to the centre of Brighton, in our luxury car.  We should have taken the bus, as we have free bus passes, but we were too lazy.  Of course we paid an exhorbitant fee to park in the centre of Brighton.  

We first visited North Laine, which is full of quirky shops selling vintage clothes, furniture and bric-a-brac.  The area also contained some interesting and unusual shoppers.

Now what is this.  A boutique named after me.

A very lively street, with an amazing array of goods for sale, and health food cafes. Plenty of atmosphere.

This very large and rambling shop was full of bric-a-brac, antiques and preloved clothes.  I could have spent hours in there.  I took this photograph before I noticed a sign that said 'Photographs only when pre-arranged'.  Too late.  Hope they do not mind.

The Brighton Pavilion, the ostentatious palace built for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, between 1787 and 1823.  So very expensive to build, but certainly put Brighton on the map.

The Brighton Pier, which we did not walk on, due to needing to eat lunch at that point.

'Pensioner's Special', consisting of one piece of fish and some chips, followed by bread pudding with either cream, ice cream or custard.  We ended our meal with an espresso rather than the usual pot of tea.   All very nice for £8 each.  I like being a pensioner at times like this.

Walter looking very pleased with his meal.

The famous fish restaurant,  Harry Ramsden, where we ate our lunch.

There always seems to be 'an eye' lurking somewhere.  The Brighton Eye.

After walking along the seafront, where it was very cold, we headed into The Lanes, which are very narrow lanes, described in our brochure as 'A wonderland of jewellery and specialist antique shops.'   I am not sure that it was a 'wonderland' but there were certainly plenty of jewellery shops.  And plenty of upmarket restaurants and coffee shops too.

We decided to head back to the car, before we spent any more of our hard earned money on parking fees.  Next time, it will be the bus.

It is extremely windy outside.  And raining too.