Phew what a scorcher!
Matty, Craig and First Matie down for the day. Craig introduced us to Mel, his fiancee, who Lorraine and I warmed-to instantly. Mel is an American anglophile like Craig.
The weather was in phew what a scorcher! territory. And half of London had emptied out into Brighton. We meandered through the Lanes, which Mel had not been here before, and popped into Casa Don Carlos for tapas, and from there to the cheesy delights of the pier, where First Matie joined us. Lorraine keen on the coin rolling game, and the arcade catnip to Matt, Craig and Mel. Personally I think those arcades have a dedicated ring of purgatory, so enjoyed the sun with Kate looking out to sea till they were done, Matt clutching a small furry orange and purple prize.
Then a go on the dodgems, which I love, zooming about with Matty boy, Craig and Mel. Then the ladies went off shopping, while Craig, Matty and I repaired to The Cricketers for a couple of steadying beers. Heard how Craig had proposed to Mel on New Year's Eve without any premeditation, and that Matty had overheard this and surged through the pub on Strand on the Green spreading the good news, which resulted in Mel being given a false engagement ring with an LED light in it, and a free bottle of champagne from the pub. Only next morning did Craig and Mel re-examine the moment, to discover they were both really happy about it.
Then rejoined by the girls and off to The Basketmakers for a solitary beer before heading off to The Sussex Yeoman (actually the sign saying Y OMAN which is almost better) where we met Matty's sister Tasha and Steve, and their enormous spotted Great Dane called Eric. Tasha and Steve soon to be wed too. We talked about doing some theatre work with Tash later in the year which will be excellent as my current stars will all be off studying.
Dawn and Cath also arrived in The Sussex Yeoman (where I snarfed another Mason-inspired burger). Cath freshly returned from her five week Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, and looking tanned, fit and full of effervescent positivity. Dawn being cheeky as usual. A festival of chatting till late, and wended home with Lorraine and First Matie who stayed overnight.
Really enjoyed a day full of talk and people, not to mention some serious knife and forkwork, and several drinks. Lovely to have so many friends in town.
Matty, Craig and First Matie down for the day. Craig introduced us to Mel, his fiancee, who Lorraine and I warmed-to instantly. Mel is an American anglophile like Craig.
The weather was in phew what a scorcher! territory. And half of London had emptied out into Brighton. We meandered through the Lanes, which Mel had not been here before, and popped into Casa Don Carlos for tapas, and from there to the cheesy delights of the pier, where First Matie joined us. Lorraine keen on the coin rolling game, and the arcade catnip to Matt, Craig and Mel. Personally I think those arcades have a dedicated ring of purgatory, so enjoyed the sun with Kate looking out to sea till they were done, Matt clutching a small furry orange and purple prize.
Then a go on the dodgems, which I love, zooming about with Matty boy, Craig and Mel. Then the ladies went off shopping, while Craig, Matty and I repaired to The Cricketers for a couple of steadying beers. Heard how Craig had proposed to Mel on New Year's Eve without any premeditation, and that Matty had overheard this and surged through the pub on Strand on the Green spreading the good news, which resulted in Mel being given a false engagement ring with an LED light in it, and a free bottle of champagne from the pub. Only next morning did Craig and Mel re-examine the moment, to discover they were both really happy about it.
Then rejoined by the girls and off to The Basketmakers for a solitary beer before heading off to The Sussex Yeoman (actually the sign saying Y OMAN which is almost better) where we met Matty's sister Tasha and Steve, and their enormous spotted Great Dane called Eric. Tasha and Steve soon to be wed too. We talked about doing some theatre work with Tash later in the year which will be excellent as my current stars will all be off studying.
Dawn and Cath also arrived in The Sussex Yeoman (where I snarfed another Mason-inspired burger). Cath freshly returned from her five week Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, and looking tanned, fit and full of effervescent positivity. Dawn being cheeky as usual. A festival of chatting till late, and wended home with Lorraine and First Matie who stayed overnight.
Really enjoyed a day full of talk and people, not to mention some serious knife and forkwork, and several drinks. Lovely to have so many friends in town.
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