Old things in general

We visited the Toy & Model Museum near the station which was very interesting and run by extremely enthusiastic staff (volunteers?).
Too much to photograph, so I just took these couple of shots of the model railway layouts.
There was also a leaflet about the restoration of the Brighton Belle Pullman train which I used to travel on when we visited an aunt in Hove - may years ago. It seems they are getting on very well with the work - of course, they could do with a little money to help with the project.





















The pavilion looked splendid in the sunshine - note the blue sky!

Brighton sights

Two nice pubs
























One nice monument



















Do you think he's behind that litle glass door?

The next day

What a difference a day mak.....(sorry!).
Bright blue sky, calm sea and really rather warm in the sunshine.
A lovely day for SWMBO's birthday.

Short break from the Brighton story

Yesterday Redbourn was invaded by the Sealed Knot re-enactment group who were rehearsing for a display which forms part of our Redbourn 900 celebrations later this year. All rather loud - and with no warning either!

Still stormy in Brighton

This is the remains of the west pier after yet another fire. Apparently they are going to build an observation tower on the site, and were able to start work last week as it was an unusually low tide.
















Here's the east pier which is still going strong. In fact, it appeared (appiered?) to have had a refurbishment since we were last here and is looking quite smart. Now, you can have your wedding and reception in the (fish and chip) restaurant on the pier. Unusual venue.

Breezy Brighton

We've just been away for a couple of days to celebrate SWMBO's birthday. We stayed at the Best Western hotel in Brighton where the standard rate for our superior room was £200 per night. Luckily enough, and thanks to t'internet, we got the room for £59 which also included a very good breakfast. The hotel is on the extreme right, with the newly refurbished bandstand on the left.














Here are the views from our superior room. It was blowing a gale, difficult to walk along the seafront, and raining as well. However, wait until SWMBO's birthday...tomorrow...

29th Wedding Anniversary

Today, yes Valentines Day, is our 29th wedding anniversary (It will never last!), and the commercial people would have us believe that it is our "New Furniture" anniversary. Well, we don't need any new furniture - for the house or garden, but SWMBO did need a new toilet seat for her bathroom, so there you go a beautiful new wooden toilet seat (with marquetry) supplied and fitted today. How many wives can say that they had a toilet seat for their wedding anniversary - not many I bet. She is a lucky woman.

Redbourn Cricket Club prepares...

The cricket club are getting ready for the new season by having these splendid new practice nets built. There's quite a lot of mud in front of them at the moment but hopefully this area will be seeded in the near future.

OwnerShips boat show

Here's our 'shared ownership' boat Stella at the annual Braunston show this weekend.
We had four shares to sell and managed to sell them all on Saturday morning.
I think the blazing solid fuel stove on board had the desired effect and attracted a great deal of visitors to our boat - it was a bit cold outside!














Two water cans on board the old working boat 'Vulcan' also pictured below.





























Two more working boats.

Poppy's exercise programme

"Can't figure this out...seems to be for only half the number of legs I've got"














"No, doesn't make sense"














"This radiator's nice and warm"














"I'll think about it when I wake up - perhaps"

Palindromic date

Does Poppy look like she cares that the date is 01022010?