Ruby Wedding Anniversary in Brighton - 18th Oct ‘20

Alright let me get it out the way right up front ... I am the luckiest man in the world to be married for 40 years to the most wonderful wife and mother in the world. 

18th October 1980 was a bit grey and cold as I remember it - not so 18th October 2020. We woke to a lovely sunny morning- up to 16 degrees, the warmest it’s been all week.

We started off the day reading all the good wishes from our wonderful family. Thom made a video that got us all starting the day with sizeable lumps in our throats and water in our eyes. And here it is ... https://youtu.be/p072bOXWFcI

Ok the plan was to surprise Kim and for us to “bump into” Thom, Bobby, Rach and Holly in Brighton. It didn’t quite work that way! Kim got suspicious when Bobby sent a Whats App message very early on in the morning. She challenged me directly and even after 40 years of practice, I can’t look her in the eyes and lie to the woman! As it happens, Gog blurted it out when we rang her on the way into Brighton anyway so we were destined for it NOT to be a surprise. It would have been even more wonderful if Laura, George and boys could have been there but this blasted COVID “rule of 6” ensured that wasn’t going to happen!

We arrived at Brighton sea front at about 2pm. The boys had already met up earlier and were waiting for us at the pier. We had a beer at one of the many beach side cafes. It was so warm and sunny we had to strip off our Autumn layers. Thankfully there were no seagull incidents this time!

Bobby/ Holly had booked lunch at The Walrus pub on Ship Street. It was fantastic. We all had nut roasts that really couldn’t have been any better.

We then walked to the end of the pier to try and walk Off some of the food excesses! After that we bought a coffee and drank it on the beach right next to the pier. Rather ungraciously Holly won the pebble throwing competition!

Then it was back to their Travelodge for a round of gin and tonics and a game of cards - luckily there was a gift shop open right by the hotel. Holly is not a card player so it was nice for Rach not to be the novice for once. By the time we left them and Brighton it was past 8. 

Back at Brunnehilda by 9 - still stuffed from The Walrus there seemed nothing better to do than climb into Brunnehilda’s welcoming big bed!

Only one thing I forgot to mention - Kim fell over in Brighton. I didn’t see it happen but she went down on all 4s. Nothing broken / damaged thankfully but if ever you’re walking by Jury’s Hotel on Brighton sea front, look out for the dent in the pavement. I mean the one she fell over not the one she left!!! 😉

Off home tomorrow, so here are the scores on the doors for Norman’s Bay Caravan Park:

Pros:

1) In theory a great position - just over the road from the beach

2) Good value considering the facilities were all open

3) Friendly wardens and all very laid back when it comes to the “rules and regulations”

Cons:

1) No where nice to walk to. The beach was too pebbly to walk far on

2) Rubbish showers. One temperature and the ones you need to keep pressing to stay on

3) Although free, the WiFi was rubbish and the 4G was a bit patchy at times

4) Very noisy. The noisiest one yet. Between the trains, the tractors moving pebbles on the beach and our fellow caravaners yappy dogs, it was far from peaceful

5) A little bit crowded in. I guess it would have been worse at the height of the summer?

6) And this one is Kim’s ... some of our neighbours were a bit “scratty”!!?