Taking a break

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

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

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.
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Fusebox with a difference

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

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

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?

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

Watch out - the rain's gonna get ya!
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Man with orange board

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

What's the point of sun umbrellas when there's no sun??
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The Lifeguard on Brighton Beach

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

Mellow Yellow - Brighton Beach

Sitting on Brighton beach in the evening light

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Scenic Sunday - across Wild Park

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

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

Here's Georgie our Golden Retriever, completely unaware of the drama above her.
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And s-t-r-e-t-c-h

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

ABC Wednesday - T for Tree

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.


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Ruby Tuesday - the wedding party

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!)

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Sleepy Feet - for Feet Theme Day

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


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Vegetables in a jar

Seen in the window of a Brighton vegetarian restaurant!

Trees near Devil's Dyke

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.

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Sky Watch Friday - British Museum Courtyard Cafe

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.

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Carousel - Brighton Seafront

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

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!
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Seagull on the car

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

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!

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Unwelcome Graffiti

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

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

Sky Watch Friday - Brighton Sea Front

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!



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Morris Dancers

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

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.

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Car Accessories

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

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'!


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Scenic Sunday - A27, Brighton

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.

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The Caterpillar

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 . . .



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Sky Watch Friday - Brighton Race Course

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!

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The Ice Cream Van

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

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!

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ABC Wednesday particiants.

Anyone for tea?

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