We met up with the MacArthurs after they had enjoyed their Holiday Inn breakfast. The weather was as good as could be expected at the start of December - dry, cold but a lot of cloud with a bit of sunshine.
Obviously with 7 year old Twins in tow the agenda had less of a cultural / historical flavour but more of a focus on having fun. The fun started with the Upside Down house - on the prom just at the bottom of Hollybobs’ road. George took the kids in an took some great pictures. The Twinnies loved it, although Charlie, with classic teenage indifference, could have taken it or left it!!
It was hard to ignore the i360 tower looming above us so we took the plunge and bought 8 tickets for the noon flight. Yes, they call it a flight and play up on the connection with staff in BA uniform, an airport security check before going in and a very comfortable lounge with expensive drinks for sale!
The flight up and down the tower lasted 20 minutes. You could easily move around and see what you wanted to - although, unlike the London Eye, being on the south coast, 180 degrees of the i360 degrees was just sea! Without being rude to the fine city of Brighton, there is a lot less to see when you look inland in comparison to looking over London.
It was good to do it but it wasn’t particularly good value and everybody agreed that they were happy it was done but would not be rushing back to do it again!
As if to prove the old adage about the cost of happiness… we then spent a wonderful 45 mins drinking coffee / hot chocolate sitting on Brighton’s pebbled beach watching the kids, unsuccessfully, trying to avoid the waves and getting their feet soaking wet, making wishes and throwing pebbles into a coffee cup from 3 metres and, the rather child social services worrying, throwing pebbles at children as they ran by trying to dodge them. I guess I need to say here that they were our children, all was done willingly and no children were hurt during the game!
After that much fun we were starving! We found a Harry Ramsdons restaurant further along the front so we squeezed onto a table for 8 and started the rather painful and frustratingly long process of ordering food on an App while the waitress sat around talking! You know you are getting old when you think the world has gone completely stark raving mad at least 2 times a day!
Have to say though, the pain was worth it. The food was good and fortified us for the downturn in the weather. The wind and cold continued but it was now joined by drizzle! So we headed out to the even more weather exposed Brighton Pier!
George charged up a fair ride payment card as the DJ, nice and cosy in a heated hut, blasted out summer hits to make us forget the weather. It made it that much better that he did it with a huge grin on his face and grooving on down to his own tracks. It made you feel better for about 30 seconds and then the drizzle and cold kicked back in!
The twins and Charlie (and accompanying adults) blasted through a number of rides including the ghost train and some scary looking thing that threw you upside down for an alarming amount of time - stops you getting wet though!!
Finners is certainly more hardcore than his “big brother” twin - nothing seems to scare him. I guess being the smallest he needs to be the most fearless!?
The fair rides were finished off with a helping ice cream and candy floss - of course! Mind you, I’m the first to agree that there is no such thing as inappropriate ice cream weather!
By the time we got back to the flat / hotel it was well gone 3 and time for The MacArthurs to hit the road back to The Shire. Holly, Bobby and I relaxed with a cuppa and then, in the gloaming, I hopped on the bike and headed (wind with) back home 3 miles along the coastal cycle path to Brunnehilda.
The return trip was easier (wind with) so took about 25 minutes. I spent a couple of hours lazing around and watching an episode of The Wire. When I went to have a wash I noticed the hot water boiler is not working. I tried YouTube and fiddling around a bit and then it made a clunking noise and the light went out altogether- oops! It sounds and feels expensive but I’m putting it to the back of my mind for now. I certainly don’t need hot water this trip - the site has a lovely toilet / shower block / as do Holly and Bobby!!
I drove back to Hollybobs at about 7.30. There is free nonresident parking in their road after 8pm!
Holly made an absolutely gorgeous Pasta Bake which the 3 of us demolished in no time. The after dinner cup of tea prompted the timeless debate about milk with Earl Grey tea. I think I prefer it with just a smidge of the white stuff.
It was gone 10.30 when I said my goodbyes and headed back to Brunnehilda. I climbed under the covers and watched another episode of The Wire before turning LBC on the radio and snuggling up to get to sleep.
Another lovely day. Missed Kim loads today. I have a lovely picture taken on Brighton pier last October. Although she was poorly we didn’t have a diagnosis. This was the only nice / happy / feeling healthy day of the whole week in Sussex. Having lunch with T/R/B/H and a walk along the pier. The twins made it hard to be too upset today though!
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