16th to 19th October 2010 – Brighton, England

16th October 2010
This morning we drove to the little village of Angmering to the village square as I had an appointment – long overdue to sort out my hair! Two hours later and I am a new person. Geoff walked to a go cart track nearby, bought fuses for the van and generally looked around the shops. We stocked up with a few things at the local supermarket – we have proper bread again (not the sweetened variety found in Europe) and we can read the labels and cooking instructions once again!

We had discovered the toilet wasn’t flushing because it had blown a fuse and a nice man at the camp lent us one but we had to replace it. So great that is fixed!

In the afternoon we drove into Brighton however we just could not find a park so we went further down to Hove and spent a lovely couple of hours wandering the shops and having a nice coffee at Costa.

We then headed to Richard and Karen’s for a delightful dinner and evening. We had tried to buy a little fan heater for the van at Tesco’s but alas no luck but Karen has very kindly loaned me one and it is a lifesaver. It is just soooo cold. We can use the gas for heating but it’s so much more cosy having a heater.

17th October 2010
It’s really funny being back in England. I am really missing hearing the foreign language all around us. England sort of feels like home but we are not home. I think too our thoughts are now homeward bound and I am looking forward to seeing the kids again – not to mention dear little Kaisha xx

I think too we have now seen enough and I almost can’t be bothered sightseeing, shopping or taking more photos. We are just going to rest up for a couple of days and get the van sorted.

Today Richard and Karen picked us up at 10.00am and we went to a little meeting in the country. Lovely drive and lovely meeting. We then went to Lewes – gorgeous little town. We had lunch at a beautiful English manor - Pelham house – really lovely and relaxing. We then wandered down the shops and I bought a lovely red and white spotted scarf and headed down to Bill’s for coffee (especially for you Merle!!)

We then headed to the village of Barcombe for the mission. A patient of Richard who lives in the village walked past as we were parked and ended up coming to the mission. We then went to her place for coffee afterwards – so that was really nice and unexpected!

Home to the camper for tomato soup and toast.

18th October 2010
A quiet day at home day. Got everything down that we had bought along the way and sorted what we could send back. We figured we need a tea chest!

About 5pm we just had to go for a walk so we set off for the Brighton Marina which is nearby. We then headed into the Brighton Pier – although most of it was closed we still got the idea! Real fun pier! It was absolutely freezing so instead of having fish and chips on the pier like we intended we called into a nice warm restaurant overlooking the pier and had world famous fish and chips.

Brighton is a very buzzy little place at night – loads of action even for a Monday night! It is also very very pretty at night – would be awesome in the summer. We caught the bus back to the Marina because it was so cold and then walked home to our camp and off to bed.

19th October 2010
Well I broke the camp washing machine today so my clothes are stuck in it and they cannot open it. I believe a repair man is going to fix it however we intend to leave tomorrow so not sure what is going to happen. We organized a tea chest to be dropped off and we will pack it tonight and drop it off tomorrow.

I am feeling quite flat today – possibly because we are packing up! I do miss Europe and perhaps we have been stationery here too long and not doing too much!
We caught the bus into Brighton and wandered around the gorgeous little laines. I came back to the camper and Geoff caught the bus to Peacehaven to see about an exhaust extension for the camper. I did a little housework and bubble wrapped a few things to pack tonight.

Lancing College
hundreds of birds
Ruth Cottingham's house where we went Sunday morning
Lovely grounds
Pelham house - our lovely lunch spot
Richard and Karen at lunch
beautiful restaurant - just like being at home!
Pelham house gardens
the display at Bill's
more shots at Bills
Scenes from Lewes

Barcombe village hall where the mission was
The Brighton marina


the mermaid at the marina
Beautiful sunset on Brighton beach

Scenes of the pier!!

Pooh bear's Kaisha!!


How cute!!
Love to take Kaisha on the Noddy car - just like the wiggles car

the pavilions

The Laines
Hundreds of sewing machines - actually a clothes shop