under another sun

Lorraine and I were up early and off with Beth and Enzo to the Aquarium in Brighton. A gorgeous sunny day. And we parked on Marine Drive. My back looser and I'd had a decent night's sleep. Of course, I love aquariums at the best of times, and to be mooching about watching Enzo looking at the creatures for the first time with Beth and Lorraine was lovely.  And for a while a feeling of great happiness and contentment stole over me, and I felt there was nothing I'd rather be doing in the world.  Even the gift shop was fun. I wish I'd been able to photograph one of the young women carrying a dozen large furry octopuses. Then to the Marina. As other restaurants were rather busy, we settled on a cheeky Nando's, which I quite enjoyed. We also had the car washed while we did so. Buy the time we got home I felt pleased having done quite a bit of walking not to be in pain. Now I just need to be rid of the persistent cough.  Spoke to Mum this afternoon, pleased that her car go...

Cream tea and a big ass turtle A busy day with Sprinkles. And in Brighton the weather did its best to put on a good English show, running the gamut from grey to rain. However I took Sarah off to The Royal Pavilion and revelled in its orientalist splendour. Sarah quite liking this. We took the telephone guide handsets and drifted about looking at the sumptuous Chinoiserie of the interior. Built by the Prince Regent, later George the IV. The place is crawling with dragons. The bad luck experienced by the Music room are even attributed to too many dragons. It was attacked by an arsonist in the mid 70s, and then just as the repairs were finished in 1987 the famous hurricane dislodged a huge stone globe from the roofing which then came crashing through the newly restored roof, so they had to start again. Then off to the Mock Turtle for a cheeky cream tea. Sarah liked this immensely, and we enjoyed tucking into their still-warm, freshly-baked scones. After his refreshment we wandered down to...