Brighton Day by Day - a city daily photo

Taking a break

2009-06-20T13:27:00.005+01:00

Maybe I'm lightweight, but after 70 photo posts in 71 days I need to take a break. Respect to all those who've been going a year or more. Never underestimate the commitment needed for a City Daily Photo Blog.

I may return in a few days - or a few weeks - not sure yet. But my head is full of too many things and I need some time away from my lap top.

Thank you to all those regulars and everyone who has made a comment over the last few months. Enjoy your blogging and have fun.

I'll be doing a bit of this . . . and a bit of that . . . and of course earning a living in between ;) - Hilary

Sky Watch Friday - the seagull

2009-06-19T07:30:00.003+01:00

A beautiful summer's day caught with one of Brighton's seagulls. Click here to visit other Sky Watch Friday participants.

ABC Wednesday - V for Viaduct

2009-06-17T07:30:00.001+01:00

The Brighton Viaduct was built in the 1840s and as you can see is still in use. It has 27 arches and about 10 million bricks and is listed as Grade II for its historical and architectural significance. This status is given to "particularly important buildings of more than special interest". It is one of 70 Grade II-listed buildings and structures in the city of Brighton and Hove.
Click here to see more ABC Wednesday participants.

Fusebox with a difference

2009-06-16T07:30:00.000+01:00

No switches, no tricky wires, nothing that will cause damage. I spotted this drawn on a wall. Just hope number 75a has a real fusebox too :)

Towards the Marina - in monochrome

2009-06-15T07:30:00.002+01:00

Taken at the weekend before the rain came. There was also a Classic Car Ralley on Brighton Seafront and this one was heading home just at the right time. This view is towards the Marina with the two piers behind me. Check out other Monochrome Maniacs here.

Roses At Number 6

2009-06-14T09:26:00.005+01:00

This very pretty house is in Steyning where we had tea (see yesterday's post). Steyning is 12 miles from Brighton set in the beautiful South Downs and has 125 listed buildings. I'm not sure whether Number 6 is one of them but it's certainly an old property which has kept much of its historical character. The roses make a stunning welcome for anyone visiting the house.

Anyone for tea?

2009-06-13T07:30:00.000+01:00

We had tea in a little teashop - sometimes you just get a mug of tea, sometimes it comes in a stainless steel teapot. But this was very sophisticated! Plus we had meringues which we ate before I thought of taking a photo! Piled high with fruit and cream, they were delicious :)

Sky Watch Friday - Stormy Beach

2009-06-12T07:30:00.001+01:00

Watch out - the rain's gonna get ya!
Click here to visit other Sky Watch Friday participants.

Man with orange board

2009-06-11T07:30:00.001+01:00

I'm not very good with my water sports so I'm not exactly sure what this guy was about to do. By the time he'd walked to the sea, I'm moved on! But I hope the people sitting on the beach enjoyed whatever he was about to do! I just liked his orange board :)

ABC Wednesday - U for Umbrellas

2009-06-10T07:30:00.000+01:00

What's the point of sun umbrellas when there's no sun??
Click here to see more ABC Wednesday participants.

The Lifeguard on Brighton Beach

2009-06-09T08:14:00.002+01:00

A bit of a dull day - not much going on. Certainly no-one to save!

Mellow Yellow - Brighton Beach

2009-06-08T07:30:00.000+01:00

Sitting on Brighton beach in the evening light

Check out other Mellow Yellow participants here.

Scenic Sunday - across Wild Park

2009-06-07T07:30:00.003+01:00

We had a lovely dog walk during the week with amazing views. Here's Jessie standing above Wild Park in Brighton with the view towards Seven Sisters and Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. Visit other Scenic Sunday participants

For more photos of this wonderful dog walk, pop across to my Dog Blog at Out And About With Your Dog!

Behind the wind breaker

2009-06-06T07:30:00.002+01:00

Wind breakers are a welcome piece of kit on British beaches. And I think there's a barbeque happening behind this one.

Sky Watch Friday - in the field

2009-06-05T07:30:00.002+01:00

Here's Georgie our Golden Retriever, completely unaware of the drama above her.
Visit other Sky Watch Friday participants

And s-t-r-e-t-c-h

2009-06-04T07:30:00.000+01:00

While you're waiting, you might as well be stretching.

ABC Wednesday - T for Tree

2009-06-03T07:28:00.000+01:00

I'm sure they'll be a lot of trees today but I saw this in Stanmer Woods where I walk our dogs and thought it was pretty dramatic. Whether it was the wind or simply old age, I'm not sure. But it must have made quite a c-r-a-c-k when it went.

Click for more ABC Wednesday particiants.

Ruby Tuesday - the wedding party

2009-06-02T07:30:00.002+01:00

Spotted on Saturday evening on Brighton seafront - a very lucky wedding group (lucky with the weather that is; it could so easily have been howling gales and rain!)

Check out other Ruby Tuesday here.

Sleepy Feet - for Feet Theme Day

2009-06-01T07:12:00.004+01:00

One evening - both asleep - my husband took our photo!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Vegetables in a jar

2009-05-31T07:30:00.002+01:00

Seen in the window of a Brighton vegetarian restaurant!

Trees near Devil's Dyke

2009-05-30T07:30:00.000+01:00

The country roads around Devil's Dyke have wonderful views although there's not much space to stop your car. Everyone drives quite fast as well, so I risked life and limb for this shot! I've always admired this line of trees and thought I'd get a photo.

Click here for the other Devil's Dyke shot.

Sky Watch Friday - British Museum Courtyard Cafe

2009-05-29T07:30:00.003+01:00

During the week, I visited friends in London. We met in the British Museum Courtyard Cafe and this is the remarkable roof.

The courtyard employs state of the art engineering to create the largest enclosed courtyard in Europe.

Dominating the scene is the circular rotunda/Reading Room, with stairs leading up to the upper levels.

If you're in London, be sure to visit. The museum itself is free - it's an amazing place.

Visit other Sky Watch Friday participants

Carousel - Brighton Seafront

2009-05-28T07:30:00.002+01:00

This Carousel is a very popular attraction on Brighton Seafront - whatever the weather! This was a particularly grey day but the children don't mind :)

ABC Wednesday - S for Seed

2009-05-27T07:30:00.004+01:00

Mark and I are experimenting this summer with planting some crops. This patch had a little disruption a few weeks ago on account of the honeysuckle collapsing and me planting a plum tree in its place. It means that some of the seeds got mixed up and my tidy rows are now all higgledy piggledy.

This I believe is a courgette plant still with the seed attached and I'll need to give it a bit more space very soon. We've also planted radishes, tomatoes, carrots, runner beans, red peppers, strawberries and blackberries as well as our new plum tree.

Our plot is not big but hopefully we've used the space wisely. Below you can see the cane barrier that protects the seeds from our dogs. The picture also gives you some idea of the size of our outdoor space. This is why Georgie and Jessie get such good walks every day - there's just enough room for a pee and awhatsit, a lay out in the sunshine and a gentle wrestle as the photo shows! But playing ball and being exercised? No, not enough space for that!
Click for more ABC Wednesday particiants.

Seagull on the car

2009-05-26T07:30:00.001+01:00

Living by the sea is lovely but you do have to get used to the seagulls. They tear open the rubbish bins, #@*t on your car and make a lot of noisy early in the summer mornings. But hearing them during the day still makes us feel like we're on holiday.

I saw this seagull the other day pecking at this windscreen. I'm not sure why. Maybe there was a sandwich on the dashboard??

Grey Brighton - in Monochrome

2009-05-25T07:30:00.003+01:00

This was taken last Sunday when these tables should have been packed with happy drinkers. Instead, as you can see, it was grey and chilly and people were having a different kind of beach experience. A rather desolate one!

Check out other Monochrome Maniacs here.

Unwelcome Graffiti

2009-05-24T07:30:00.002+01:00

I enjoy graffiti when it's thought through and improves the environment. Maybe when an area has been provided for local artists to express themselves. But this was a freshly painted white wall in a car park and the person/people who did it obviously wanted to make a big and dirty impression. I applaud this man for trying to remove it. A very community minded citizen. But a horrible job.

Next Door Neighbours

2009-05-23T07:30:00.002+01:00

It caught my eye! And my name's on one of the papers (though spelt wrong!)

Sky Watch Friday - Brighton Sea Front

2009-05-22T07:30:00.003+01:00

I'd forgotten about these photos until my friend who was visiting me at the time, dropped by again at the weekend.

It was a cold late afternoon in February and we decided to have a cuppa on Brighton seafront. It was a lovely combination: chocolate cake, hot tea, fantastic sunset and the sea!

Visit other Sky Watch Friday participants

Morris Dancers

2009-05-21T07:30:00.007+01:00

These Morris Dancers were waiting to perform in the Brighton Festival.

We didn't see their dance but their costumes suggested something altogether more contemporary and maybe rather dark.

They were quite a striking bunch as you can see.

Sea Spray for Watery Wednesday

2009-05-20T07:30:00.010+01:00

Sunday in Brighton was wet and windy. I walked round in the afternoon with a plastic bag covering my camera, bringing it out when the drizzle stopped.

These people were enjoying the drama of the sea spray.

Visit other Watery Wednesday participants

Car Accessories

2009-05-19T07:30:00.006+01:00

Spotted on Brighton Seafront on Sunday as the annual Mini Ralley (for lovers of the diminutive British car) pulled into town. Around 2,500 drivers made the 55 mile pilgrimage from Crystal Palace Park, London to Madeira Drive on Brighton’s seafront. I loved these accessories!

The Basketball Players in Monochrome

2009-05-18T07:30:00.005+01:00

On Brighton Seafront there's a well-used basketball pitch. It's serious stuff and passers-by like to get involved and enjoy the free spectacle. I remember when Georgie, our Golden Retriever, was a pup, she was off lead, saw the ball and chased it from player to player. Rather an embarrassing 'dog moment'!

Check out other Monochrome Maniacs here.

Scenic Sunday - A27, Brighton

2009-05-17T07:30:00.003+01:00

This is our view as we drive home along the A27 towards Brighton. The sea's behind us and we're looking towards the South Downs in Sussex.

By the way, several people have asked about the yellow field. This is oilseed rape, a plant with yellow flowers. It is grown as a crop and the seeds are crushed to make cooking oil.

Visit other Scenic Sunday participants

The Caterpillar

2009-05-16T07:00:00.006+01:00

Here's a little caterpillar going about his business.

I was just about to take another close up when our Golden Retriever came along to see what I was up to. She didn't even see the caterpillar, just wanted to say hello to me cause I was down on the ground . . .

Visit other Camera Critters participants

Sky Watch Friday - Brighton Race Course

2009-05-14T22:38:00.000+01:00

The Brighton Race Course stadium is seen silhouetted to the left in this photo. It was 7ish in the evening a month or so ago and as you can see, it was a changeable weather situation!

Visit other Sky Watch Friday participants

The Ice Cream Van

2009-05-14T08:00:00.002+01:00

When I was a child (60s/70s), the Ice Cream Van used to be a very familiar sound in our area. The tune they played as they drove around the streets was always well known, usually an old English folk song, and all the children would rush out of their houses and queue up to be served.

They're not so common now - but probably more so in different parts of the country.

I always have a '99' - ie. whipped ice cream with a chocolate flake :) In fact what the people in the photo are having. Yum!

ABC Wednesday - Q for Quirky

2009-05-13T08:00:00.003+01:00

The Duke of York's is Brighton's best cinema although it's not necessarily the most comfortable. One of its claims to fame are the quirky legs sticking out of the roof! I took these pics while I was stuck in a traffic jam. Electric windows on a car are great for taking quick photos on the move!

The Picture House has been around since 1910 and is soon to have its 100th birthday. Go Girl!

Click for more
ABC Wednesday particiants.

Anyone for tea?

2009-05-12T08:00:00.000+01:00

An English garden fete is incomplete without tea and cakes. So here we are - from my afternoon in Withdean Park on Sunday.

Saxshop in Withdean Park, Brighton

2009-05-11T08:00:00.010+01:00

Yesterday "Saxshop" were playing in Withdean Park, Brighton. Since I sometimes play with them I went along to support and ended up taking some photos.

A great afternoon was had by all and Simon d'Souza and the crew played a fab set. There was also a Fun Dog Show which I've covered on my Out And About With Your Dog Blog.

Here's Fabian on his Soprano - the rest of the photos are here.

Scenic Sunday - our local dog walk

2009-05-09T17:30:00.000+01:00

This is a place in East Brighton where we walk regularly. It's on the edge of the South Downs with the English Channel in the distance.

It was a beautiful August day when everything was right with the world :)

Visit other Scenic Sunday participants.

Singer with attitude

2009-05-09T08:00:00.000+01:00

Meet the lead singer and banjo player of the Iron Boot Scrapers! Entertaining the crowd at the weekend, this guy caught me taking his photo and started doing that lead singer thing where you sense people are looking at you rather than at him. How embarrassing!

Meet the Iron Boot Scrapers

2009-05-08T08:01:00.001+01:00

Buskers that definitely catch one's eye! These instruments are pretty unconventional never mind the outfits. Must have taken quite a while to get togged up - especially for the drummer! The Iron Boot Scrapers had a good crowd and were definitely working the audience. The lead singer has a special photo coming up tomorrow.

Elvis Lover

2009-05-07T08:00:00.002+01:00

These two funky Brightonians were window shopping and generally enjoying the street vibe.

The woman had an Elvis badge on her jacket which I'm afraid I couldn't get. They stepped into the shop just after I took the photo.

But when I looked at the bag, I noticed another bit of Elvis memorabilia.

I bet these two danced the night away in the fifties - and it looks like they've still got the spark.

Magic in the streets

2009-05-06T08:00:00.001+01:00

There's often a lot going on in the way of busking and entertainment on the streets of Brighton, but at festival time there's even more to be enjoyed.

This trick involved making something disappear - I know no more than that I'm afraid!

Meet Martha, the ferret

2009-05-05T08:00:00.001+01:00

I did a double take when I saw this family taking their pet ferrets on a walkabout. I thought at first it was a rat but then I asked (always a good idea!) and they put me right. Her brother is called Biscuit who was a little camera shy.

It was Martha's lucky day because these girls were tucking into delicious cakes and probably had lots of sticky stuff on their fingers.

A ferret is a small carnivorous mammal, belonging to the weasel family, or mustelidae and is related to the otter, badger, mink and weasel.

Sky Mirror - Brighton Festival

2009-05-04T08:00:00.004+01:00

The Sky Mirror by Anish Kapoor - part of the Brighton Festival. Cool idea, eh?

- it's made from highly polished steel

- you must stand at least 4 metres away

- the intensity of solar concentration can damage eyes or even burn

Here it is in context - installed in the Pavillion Gardens, Brighton.

Artists Open Houses in Brighton Festival

2009-05-03T08:00:00.003+01:00

Over the first four weekends of May, one thousand artists and makers show their work in more than 200 homes around Brighton and Hove.

The Artists Open Houses festival sees houses, gardens and studios across the city of Brighton and Hove and surrounding area turned into impromptu galleries - some with cafes attached. Many houses are grouped in trails to make it easy to walk from one to another.

This is part of the Brighton Festival, a month of parades, gigs, serious theatre, street theatre - basically loads of amazingly creative goings on. I shall be posting some images over the next few days.

By the way this is the 43rd Brighton Festival. It all kicked off in 1966 and it seems to be stronger and funkier than ever :)

Graffiti in Brighton - Unconditional Love

2009-05-02T08:49:00.002+01:00

This particular space continues to be used by grafitti artists. It seems to be changed at least once a month. Two or three guys turn up, give the old picture a good scraping, and then start on the new design. And it's quite amazing how detailed the images are.

Here's 'Unconditional Love', in context.

Shadows on Devil's Dyke, Brighton

2009-05-01T11:30:00.001+01:00

This photo was taken near Devil's Dyke, just outside Brighton. It's an amazing area with fantastic views across the South Downs. Devil's Dyke itself is a V-shaped valley formed by river erosion after the Ice Age melt down.

Wiki explains one of the reasons it might have been called 'Devil's Dyke':

Local folklore explains the valley as the work of the devil. The legend holds that the devil was digging a trench to allow the sea to flood the many churches in the Weald of Sussex. The digging disturbed an old woman who lit a candle, causing a rooster to crow, making the devil believe the morning was fast approaching. The devil then fled, leaving his trench uncompleted.

Here's Georgie, our Golden Retriever, enjoying the incredible space on Devil's Dyke.

The top photo is part of the Shadows Theme Day. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Brighton Pier - more rides

2009-04-30T10:05:00.000+01:00

These people were having great fun on this ride. Basically the mechanics shifted from whirling round at top speed, to spikey, slower movements. Not sure which is worse!

Madness on Brighton Pier

2009-04-29T10:00:00.002+01:00

You'd never find me doing something as crazy as this!

Two people are strapped in, lifted to a great height over Brighton pier, lulled into a false sense of security by the slow ascent, and then the crane like device travels at top speed seaward. My language when I was standing underneath it was unrepeatable - goodness knows what's screamed when the people up there start their high speed descent.

Maybe something like: *?!#?@% *(£!

Brighton Pier

2009-04-28T07:30:00.000+01:00

For the next few days I'm going to post a few images from Brighton Pier.

It's a bit of a crazy place and you have to be in the mood. But visitors as well as residents like to give it a go from time to time.

You'll find deckchairs, fish and chips, doughnuts, scary rides, beer - a whole collection of British seaside past and present.

To kick things off, here are two girls enjoying one of the covered rides on offer.

Jet Skier in Brighton

2009-04-27T07:30:00.002+01:00

Speed freaks or what!

I watched 3 guys yesterday on their jet skis, really playing to the crowd. It was pretty exciting mind you and they were having a fantastic time!

Sussex Bluebells

2009-04-26T07:30:00.001+01:00

The bluebells are a stunning feature of our English woodland in the Spring. They almost come overnight and you wish they would stay longer.

I took these photos on yesterday's dog walk with Georgie and Jessie. If you'd like to see some of the doggy photos from the day, you'll have to jump across to my Wordpress Blog.

The Red Door

2009-04-25T09:30:00.001+01:00

I spotted this beautiful garden gate on one of my strolls through Brighton. You can look through the heart into their front courtyard garden and then beyond to their front door. What a lovely way to enter the house.

Skywatch Friday - Brighton sky

2009-04-24T07:29:00.005+01:00

We took a walk one evening last August and it was the most beautiful sky. This is very close to where we live.

Visit other Skywatch Friday participants

Twittens in Brighton

2009-04-23T12:30:00.006+01:00

This is Camden Terrace, one of the twittens in Brighton. 'Twitten' is an old dialect word, used in both East and West Sussex, for a path or alleyway, which is still in common use.

There are a number of twittens in Brighton and in the festival time (May) you can go on a historical walk exploring them.

Most of the houses in Camden Terrace were built around 1830/1840ish for the workers on the railway. The properties are all higgledy-piggledy: a variety of plot sizes, different orientation, some detached and some not.

Very unique and very attractive.

Elsewhere in the UK, such alleyways are termed twitchells (north-west Essex, east Hertfordshire and Nottingham), chares (north-east England), ginnels (northern England), opes (Plymouth), jiggers (Liverpool) and snickelways (York).

In the Netherlands tussen has a similar meaning.

Thanks to Wiki for the info!

Bicycles at Brighton Station

2009-04-22T07:30:00.003+01:00

Although Brighton is a very hilly city, many people use bikes to get around. There's a strong eco-friendly vibe amongst the inhabitants and well, it's got to be better than being stuck in traffic.

These pictures show the front of Brighton Railway Station and the masses of bikes which are always kept there. Brighton to London is a mere 49 minutes away, and the last train home from London is 1am. This makes it an ideal place to live for musicians and actors working in the city. They can have their home by the sea but continue working in the capital.

Actors who have enjoyed the Brighton life include Laurence Olivier, Charlie Chaplin, Albert Finney, Dame Flora Robson, Dame Anna Neagle, and the comedian Max Miller.

I wonder if they left their bikes in front of the station?!

Open Road - 2 Things Challenge

2009-04-21T07:45:00.000+01:00

Opening a bag with one hand and driving with another can be dangerous; proceeding to take a photo while you're driving is madness; doing all this in a blizzard, well, it's asking for it!

But last April in Brighton we had one day of freak weather. Just as we thought summer was on its way, we had a day like this. And I couldn't let the day pass without a 'road photo' so I snapped this as I was driving home along the A27.

I really must just get on with life and stop thinking, 'that'll make a good photo!'

Part of the 2 Things Photo Challenge - this is for the 'Open Road' week.

Shop names in Brighton

2009-04-20T09:00:00.000+01:00

Brighton is a creative place that's for sure. Almost every shop in the North Laines is quirky and unusual. Here are just a few of the shop names close to where we live.

And Vegetarian Shoes, in case you're wondering, are shoes made not of leather (hence the name) but of a synthetic Microfibre material used for yachting upholstery. It looks and feels like supple leather, but it's 'breathable'. They're based in Gardner Street in the North Laines of Brighton. I own a pair and they're very comfortable!

Toying with the sea

2009-04-19T13:30:00.000+01:00

These boys spent ages getting as close to the end of the groyne as they could before the sea came in. A great game - but they had to be quick!

What on earth?

2009-04-18T13:30:00.000+01:00

Something's afoot!

Brighton Marina for Skywatch Friday

2009-04-17T07:45:00.003+01:00

This is Brighton Marina. I used to teach a boy here on his yacht and after one of the lessons, I popped my head out to clamber off the boat and this was the view. Luckily, I had a camera!

Visit other Sky Watch Friday participants

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)

2009-04-16T13:30:00.000+01:00

I spotted this guy doing a stretch of Stand Up Paddleboarding at the weekend. One of the fastest growing sports to hit the UK, Brighton seems to have a number of enthusiasts. According to the Stand Up Paddleboard School in Cornwall, "SUP is healthy and invigorating and promotes balance, strength and general fitness."

I'll stick to taking the photos for now!

The Deckchairs

2009-04-15T15:07:00.003+01:00

Relaxing in a well-used deckchair on a warm Spring day! No matter that they're really not that comfortable and rather narrow for many people. It's tradition - and Brighton beach has many of those :)

Spring Flowers

2009-04-14T16:45:00.012+01:00

Spring is a beautiful time for flowers and the Brighton flower shops are doing good business.

Here are two shops proudly showing off their wares, one of which has the inviting sign.

It makes me want to get out in the garden and do some work on our patch.

Easter Monday

2009-04-13T16:13:00.009+01:00

Loads of people down on the beach today. Really nice summer vibe even though it's still only April. For the last few years, April has been the summer, so we better make the most of it. We had ice-cream :)

Double click image to see what's really going on.

Gong Showers

2009-04-12T18:53:00.001+01:00

Brighton Beach is a wonderful combination of the old British seaside vibe - rock, beach balls, ice cream etc - and the new world of healing, feel good, alternative arts.

The practioner of the 'Gong Shower' was a very friendly, positive woman. Thank you for letting me photograph your poster and when you get your website up and running, send me your link!