Oh we do like to be beside the seaside…..

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside…..

Hi there!
Greetings from sunny Brighton.
December the 29th, and what a glorious day!
Everyone and his brother went to the coast darn sarf today!
And why wouldn’t you ?
It was beautiful,
the sun was warm on your face, but the air was icy cold. 
Parked right along the waterfront and walked miles.
Mark, his lovely girlfriend Alex and I spent the day together.
Fish & chips on the pier.

Then we dived into the Lanes, 
bobbing and weaving through the throngs of happy shoppers,
all looking for those post-Christmas bargains….
Personally, I couldn’t be bothered. 
I did find a very cool jacket for Dave, 
but I’ve had enough of shopping to last me at least a year.
I was much more impressed with the super excellent Christmas lights! Aren’t they brilliant?!

I do like Brighton.
I love the architecture. It’s all those Victorian balconies I like.

Don’t these two make a handsome couple?

It was a shame that Grace and Nick missed Brighton 
and the glorious sunshine.
But New York was a-calling….
And before you knew it, 
the sun was setting and the sky was perfect.
“Look Mum!” said Mark, “It looks just like your brayer artwork”
Now how many 24 year old lads do you know 
who know what a brayer is?

So we wandered back along the waterfront,

waved goodbye to the Pier,

and came home to a tasty piping hot Cottage Pie 
I had prepared earlier. 
I have been full of gratitude today.
After the traumatic news of Carrie Fisher’s death and her poor mum Debbie Reynolds’ death just a day later, 
what else is there except gratitude?
I am grateful Dave is so well this year. 
I am grateful to have spent so much time with my parents 
and kids this Christmas.
I am grateful I don’t do drugs or drink.
I am grateful my kids aren’t tormented by drugs or drink.
It guarantees nothing, but it certainly reduces the probability of a premature exit. 
And as I walked along the waterfront today, 
it just felt good to be alive and sober.
Until tomorrow…
Love & Hugs,
Barb
xxx

43 thoughts on “Oh we do like to be beside the seaside…..

  1. Haven't been to Brighton in 30 years but I always enjoyed it! We too had a very bright day but really chilly. That photo certainly looks like one of your brayered pictures. Enjoy the evening.

  2. Lovely post today! What a lovely couple Mark and Alex make. Special time spent with them today�� I like having sons (i have 3 daughters) produced when they re all grown up! 3 lovely chaps who have come into our lives. I love it and am so grateful too. Mark was right about the brayer! x x

  3. A walk along the beach always makes me appreciate what I have, it really lifts the spirits. When my sister comes to visit and I take her to Findhorn beach she always says that doctors should prescribe it on the NHS. The town where I live, Nairn, is known as 'Brighton of he North'.

  4. You are so lucky to be that close to the sea and be able to nip down there for a blow on the sea front. Well done, Mark, for recognizing your brayer skies. Enjoy the rest of your week off. By the way,how much longer do we have to wait? xxx Maggie

  5. Hi Barbara your day looks amazing. We were in Brighton on 18th December for a Bootleg Beatles concert ( they were brilliant). We saw the lights and the next day we had a lovely walk a long the beach. It is certainly a lovely town just the place for memories to be made. Take care. Hugs Jackie

  6. I have to agree Barb – makes you glad to be alive when so many are losing the battle. I am grateful for my beautiful daughter and hee lovely fella and the fact that they have given me the gift of two gorgeous grandchildren that I love to the moon and back. Nice that Dave has been able to celebrate properly this year too and that your parents can join in too. Wishing you all the very best New Year possible. Xxx

  7. I too am greatful . A daily dose of time spent thinking about gratitude is a time well spent . I somdomenjoyvcheckingvin eachbdaybwith you . It lifts my spirits . Thank you Barbara . Maybe you will have a few Americans and in your family one day lol 😂 From one American a way over here . Jan

  8. Looks a beautiful day. Glorious cold sunny day in Leicestershire today. Had a lovely walk around the lakes at Sence Valley Park, the hoar frost was stunning & made everything look quite magical.

  9. Think it is good to count our blessings, and at times like this especially. It is so lovely to see you enjoying a wonderful day with your family. Great inspiration for some more background papers perhaps? It's funny how fish n chips always taste best at the seaside.

  10. It is always good to take time to reflect on the good things in life and to cherish those who are important.
    Today I went into Glasgow to see if we could get something in the sales. I got denims and a lovely cardigan. We went for hot chocolate which was lovely and we sat and watched the world go by walking up Buchanan Street! We also bumped into friends who have just got engaged after being together for 19 years!

  11. It is always good to take time to reflect on the good things in life and to cherish those who are important.
    Today I went into Glasgow to see if we could get something in the sales. I got denims and a lovely cardigan. We went for hot chocolate which was lovely and we sat and watched the world go by walking up Buchanan Street! We also bumped into friends who have just got engaged after being together for 19 years!

  12. Hi Barbara
    Lovely place Brighton and what fantastic Christmas lights. Nothing to beat fish and chips on the pier. Mark and Alex make a lovely couple, it's great to see your family growing up. Yes time spent with family is very important. The deaths over the last few days does make you stop and think, life's too short.
    Love Diane xxx

    1. Hello lovely blog friends internet still behaving. We've had a lovely day today mooching around as we went on a walk. All home now foot sore and tired ready for an early night. Sending hugs xxx

  13. Very from the heart blog today Barbara. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful photos, beautiful sky. I'm grateful for being alive, Daisy, my house, enough food and heat, and my crafting. I'm grateful I don't have more serious illnesses/problems. I'm grateful I can still laugh. I'm grateful to have found you Barbara. Love Brenda xx

  14. What a lovely day in Brighton and a beautiful sunset too and great for you to be able to spend the day with Mark and Alex. I always think fish and chips tastes nicer in the open air too, and you are right that we should all count our blessings. x

  15. What a wonderful day you have had Barbara and to be able to share it with family. Sometimes it is the simple things that bring so much pleasure. You are right to be happy that Dave is well this year – every moment is a bonus.

  16. We all have much to be grateful for, home from spending a lovely week with my family, a bit flat now, but we had a lovely time. Sad that when we left my daughter was poorly with what seemed to be flu. Then hear that a friend's husband passed away on Boxing Day. That puts everything in perspective. Mark and Alex make a lovely couple. Enjoy making memories with them this week. Came home to find my Design Club envelope on the mat in the porch, all three lovely. I must remember to renew my membership tomorrow. xx

  17. Brighton looks fab – never been but love going to the coast, luckily it's not too far to some lovely beaches from here and you certainly can't beat fish and chips with a sea breeze in your face! Mark and Alex certainly make a lovely couple and look happy together, looks like you're all enjoying spending time together xxx

  18. We loved Brighton where we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with our first trip to the South coast, loved the Lanes but I am with you with the shopping. Have tried to avoid the shops since mid December where possible.Your days out with the family have looked such fun xx

  19. Lovely blog and I'm glad you had such a good time in Brighton. I also just love Brighton and hope to go again soon. Hopefully (weather permitting) a day out there will be my birthday treat next month 😊 Barbara, did you see the starlings at sunset? Ray and I were in Brighton last January and witnessed the dance of the starlings which was just so beautiful! Happy New Year to you and yoursee and everyone else on here xx

  20. Now..is it my imagination, or does the lovely Alex have a look of your beautiful Grace?
    Glad you had a lovely day, so much warmer where you are, we are in deep frost oop north!
    Love
    Maggie (Yorkite)
    (just looked in my new diary – have double highlighted the 8 January – again – so I don't miss anything!)

  21. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photographs. We are off to Isle of Man to celebrate the new year with my stepson and his family! Spending quality time with loved ones is the best! Wishing you and Dave another fabulous new year!
    Love and Hugs
    Linda xxx

  22. I do love Brighton, I used to go there a lot when I was young. I had a lovely aunt and cousin living there, both sadly passed away now. I remember going first during the 60s – all bells, beads and flowers in your hair.
    It's a glorious day here in the far west of Cornwall, blue sky and not a breath of wind.
    Yesterday I bought my husband a pack of mini eggs to prove to him that the Coop was actually selling Easter eggs!! I do wish the shops wouldn't blur the seasons so much.
    Lovely photos of Mark and Alex, doesn't she have a look of Grace?
    I also count my blessings, I have my lovely family living close by and I have the privilege of picking the grandchildren up from school, looking after the little ones when their mummy works or having them spend the night sometimes. xx

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