This is our last day in Brighton and so, of course, the weather is sunny and warm just as we would have wished it to be on all the other days.

Old Steine

This is one side of the Old Steine, looking towards the YHA, where we have been staying. Our train departs at 15:16 so we have until lunchtime to continue enjoying Brighton.

The climbing cat

Near the hotel is this black cat climbing up the side of a house. Not a real cat, of course but a china one with a story to tell.

Redroaster

For breakfast we went to Redroaster in St James’s Street. We had been here before (see Brighton and Kemp Town but it has changed and impressed us less favourably this time. Perhaps it has changed ownership.

Coffee and croissants
Photo by Tigger

We had our usual coffee and croissants.

The War Memorial

We passed by the Grade II listed War Memorial with its unusual pool and fountain. Gulls congregate here as it provides them with non-salty water for drinking and bathing.

Royal Pavilion

We returned to Old Steine to wait for a bus. While waiting, I took another picture of the fascinating Royal Pavilion. We didn’t go in on this trip but the beautiful and exotic interior is worth seeing.

Aboard the 5

We boarded a number 5 bus which took us along London Road to what was in my day called the Rookery but is now called the Preston Rock Garden.

The Rock Garden

It was created in 1934-6 but has always been part of “my” Brighton. I loved coming here as a child.

Rocky paths and steps

Filled with an immense variety of plants, shrubs and trees, it rises steeply from road level via rocky paths and steps.

Stepping stone pond

My favourite feature was, and still is, the pond with rough cut stepping stones. Crossing it when I was a child seemed a bold adventure. Today’s crossing was hardly less exciting!

Looking across to Preston Park

We sat for a while beside the pond. From here, looking across the pond and London Road, one can see the larger Preston Park.

Artist at work

While we sat enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, an artist came by

Orange poppies, Preston Park

We crossed the road to Preston Park where I photographed these bright orange poppies. Here we caught a bus back to Old Steine.

Brighton Museum

We went into the grounds of the Royal Pavilion and entered the Prince Regent’s stables, aka Brighton Museum. (Residents of the city are admitted free but visitors pay £7.50 for a ticket that is valid for one year.)

Faces in porcelain

The museum tells you about Brighton’s history but also covers a lot of other topics. There is a programme of special exhibitions as well.

Art gallery

The museum is also the city art gallery. Works displayed are by both local and internationally famous artists.

Royal Pavilion Gardens

We walked out through the lovely Royal Pavilion Gardens and made our way back to the hotel. We had already checked out but had left our luggage there till later. Now we had to collect it.

Goodbye to our hotel

We left the hotel for the last time. The canopy says “Royal York” but it is really run by the YHA. That explains the oddities such as no towels unless you hire them.

We caught a bus to the station. Now that we have our luggage with us, this curtails our activity somewhat. We will have to wait patiently until it’s time for our train.

Belgian Chips

One way to wait patiently is to have lunch! Near the station is an outlet of Belgian Chips. So we had chips for lunch, Belgian style chips – with mayonnaise, naturally!

Preparing the chips

Chips with mayo
Photo by Tigger

The chips are served in a cardboard cone with a wooden fork. You can choose salt, vinegar and mayo, any of these or none. We found a public bench near the shop and perched there to eat our chips. We disposed of the detritus in the shop’s waste bin.

Brighton Station

Afterwards, we went into the railway station and to its branch of Pret A Manger for drinks (coffee for Tigger, tea for me). We sat outside Pret, watching activity around us in the station. We had about an hour and a half till train time.

This gave me time to reflect on this visit to my old hometown. I have enjoyed our stay more than I expected I would and felt “at home” despite the long years since I lived here. Perhaps because I grew up here, Brighton is a part of who I am and always will be.

Joining our train

At 15:00, our train was ready so we went aboard. It is one of the twelve-carriage trains, showing how popular this route is. Not for nothing is Brighton known as “London by the sea”. Every time I return and listen to people talking, I am struck by how the local accent is that of London and not that of Sussex.

Aboard the train

We boarded the train and found seats easily enough. The journey should take no more than about an hour and twenty minutes. The first station we pass through is Preston Park, where we went this morning. Memories…

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EL&N

The train duly delivered us to St Pancras International and here we made a little pause at EL&N for coffee. And yes, the Eurostar queue was still winding slowly past as we sipped our coffee. While they were just starting on their journey, we were reaching the end of ours.

Aboard the 214

Having finished our coffee, we left the station and reached the bus stop at the same time as a 214. We went aboard and it carried us up the hill to the Angel and home.

Our Brighton adventure is ended but we still have the weekend to ourselves!