Let's admit it, Britain is having a pretty miserable soggy start to 2014, and just when it's due to get even worse...I head to the seaside - I must just be sensible like that! We decided to go for a off-route stroll in the morning when it wasn't supposed to be pouring, trusty pocket beach combing guides in tow. But, all rock pools were still under thrashing waves, so we decided to just enjoy the sights instead! - Note to self - next time, double check tide times, don't expect the Brighton resident to have them memorised ;) So much perfectly smoothed driftwood had washed up on the beach, I wish I could have carried it back on the train and hoarded it in the garden somewhere, Claire has now got a great stash for her crafting!
Take a look at that sky!! Claire's reaction is understandable, luckily we did make it back in one piece, we needed much tea and banana cake to recover, absolutely exhausted! Hope this weather isn't causing you&yours too much grief, it is certainly taking it's toll now.
Have a great weekend! Back soon with some crafty updates!
Everybody knows how much us Brits love to talk about the weather, and last week we certainly got a perfect opportunity to grumble, worry and avidly watch every television report. The St Jude Storm (named after the Patron Saint of Lost Causes - so claimed every newspaper headline) hit last Sunday evening, and it so happened I was in Brighton at the time, a stones throw from the beach too! Now I openly admit I am notorious for worrying about such things, but I had a super 24hour trip regardless, and actually saw a great deal of sunshine! I was staying with my absolute best friend, and we chose to sensibly wait out the storm with a bottle of red, chocolate mini eggs and a stash of DVD's including Juno, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Black Books and Miranda - not a bad effort eh? Despite sounding like we were in the middle of a hurricane, not even the wheelie bins got blown over, only a few plant pots suffered in the end, thank goodness! But it was the first morning in Brighton I haven't been woken up by the seagull noise - those chaps had fled elsewhere!
The next morning, as the coast was clear (both literally and metaphorically!) we headed for a promenade, well wrapped up against the elements! We couldn't resist heading to the beach, and I have never seen the sea so choppy in my life, I'm sure this is tame compared to some peoples experience, but for me, I was mightily impressed! The wind was terribly strong too, but we both found this walk quite exhilarating, many others had also chosen to take a stroll, and the mood was cheerful all round, everyone probably pleased it was nowhere near as bad as they had expected!
We were thrilled to see our favourite lunch spot was open despite the elements! Jack&Linda Mills smokehouse is always worth a visit, and on this occasion, the hot kipper rolls tasted better than ever. With salty lips and tangled hair, we sat on a disused fisherman's boat and ate them quickly before they were whipped out of our hands, such a lovely afternoon! We took a quick walk to the pier, but you couldn't even walk up it alone, the breeze pushed you back to where you'd started! A few people were getting far too near the walls of the marina, but I can assure you we were being very sensible :)
We can never resist the allure of the fantastic second hand shops in town, so headed to Snoopers Paradise for a rest, we were absolutely shattered by that sea air and had to have a large hot chocolate to recover (Red Roaster as usual!) We found these oddities which seemed appropriate for the approaching Halloween festivities, Claire is the Queen of curiosities, no Asian artefacts can hide from her expert gaze, and she even found me an amazing 1970's macrame owl to bring home, because everyone needs one in their lives!
It was also great to see many places were gearing up for the Day Of The Dead festivities too, like the amazing shop below, which sums up my trip nicely! Brighton I love you, see you soon please!
Thanks for reading, I hope St Jude didn't cause you any worry!
Just a few more photographs from my Charmouth holiday. Being able to walk the beach at sunset was such a treat, I would go every day if I was lucky enough to live there. Wishing you a lovely weekend!
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
―
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Time for a few holiday snaps from our recent trip to Dorset, staying in Charmouth and visiting Lyme Regis and Bridport. Charmouth really is a wonderful town, it has the perfect mix of rural scenery and seascape, and is far calmer this time of year to Lyme Regis. I love being able to walk to the bakery and butchers every day, they obviously have a good strong community spirit there, very friendly locals! We particularly enjoy taking Mollie here because she is allowed on the greenery surrounding Charmouth Beach, and we get to enjoy the beautiful views. This was THE week of brilliant English weather, so yes, the sky really WAS that blue! I took my good pal the Olympus XA3 this time.
From the beach front in Charmouth you get an excellent view of The Cobb in Lyme Regis, one of my favourite spots in the UK, made world famous in the film 'The French Lieutenant's Woman'. We took a stroll over there during the week, and found it pleasantly quiet compared to the heaving beaches. I braved the heights and made the most of the stunning panoramic view (managing not to lose my shoes/camera over the side - phew!)
Just a seaside snippet for now! I have one more roll to be developed, so expect more holiday snaps soon! Hope you all are enjoying/have enjoyed/will enjoy a break this summer! Where's your chosen destination?
Having just returned from the seaside, I thought it was a perfect time to share these beautiful seaside theme photographs with you! I picked most of these up in my favourite camera and collectible shop in Bridport, which I blogged about last year - read about it HERE
I absolutely adore being beside the sea. Like many others, some of my earliest memories are family beach holidays, caravaning in Dorset, beaches in Bournemouth, dockyards in Portsmouth and many other piers, broadwalks and cliffs. Happy times, very happy times. That's why I enjoy collecting these photographs so much.
I hope you enjoy seeing these people enjoying their holidays of the past too, I'd love to know which are you favourites, and your own favourite seaside memories!
"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the
sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence
we came" - John F. Kennedy
The Wish List is slightly late this month, as I've been on holiday at
the Jurassic Coast, my favourite seaside stomping ground! This has
perhaps influenced my choices this month, although we had drastically
improved weather than that in the first item, a stunning 70s oil
seascape. The texture is perfection, and the sky is simply mesmerising,
perfectly depicts an angry and powerful sea. I wish I could have
afforded this one, went for over £50 sadly, it deserves it, but I am
being thrifty at the moment.
1970s Seascape, Oil on Canvas
Keeping with the coastal theme, a beautiful Etsy
find, an unusual lithograph dated 1899. Along with a very thoughtful
photograph of the item (fresh flowers for your shop items? now that's
attention to detail!) the young woman (who appears to be a nurse?)
gazing out to sea, I would assume, after the ship in the distance
whisking her love away...maybe? What ever the story, it's really
charming, and fantastically detailed.
1899 lithograph by Ullman Mfg. Co., New York - From The13thClock HERE
The final item on the seaside theme is this very unusual French Art Deco brooch, with a silhouette including a sailboat, light house, a man smoking a cigar and women lounging in a beach chair - perfect holiday scene! I've never seen one this detailed, have to keep a closer eye out!
Vintage French Celluloid Seaside Brooch from SeasideStudio HERE
RIGHT!
Enough with the coastal delights. I found this watercolour portrait
which I think is very Bloomsbury in style and tone, and an unusually
striking study of a younger person. I wouldn't usually be drawn to childhood portraits, but I hope you'll agree this is special too!
1930's Watercolour portrait
After
visiting the Booth Museum in Brighton (see earlier post) I got back
into searching out taxidermy, particularly British birds. I would
usually only buy antique examples, but this item at TopHat
Taxidermy comes with a certificate to guarantee this specimen was not
illegally taken from the wild. Blackbirds give me great joy, hearing
their songs both in the morning and during the night is always
uplifting, and I think they deserve more celebration. This lovely
example by TopHat
Taxidermy is very Victorian in style, I am a fan of the painted mural,
but the detail of the nest is what drew me to this item. For me, very
reminiscent of plates in antique children's books.
Blackbirds by Tony Armistead, sold by Top Hat Taxidermy HERE
And finally, we couldn't leave July without mentioning London
2012, I actually just returned from the Men's road race today, so am
feeling pretty enthusiastic! Here is an issue of a Picture Post from the
1948 London Games, featuring Opening Ceremony, pictures of women
competing in many sports, and much more. I am always a fan of the photography in this magazine, the photo of the two boys is particularly good!
Original Picture Post from the 1948 London Olympic Games
And that's it for July, it certainly went quick! Thanks for reading!
Last weekend I went to visit my best friend Claire who's recently moved to Brighton, a town I hadn't yet explored very thoroughly, only nipping around it in the pouring rain for the Photo Festivals!
We took a stroll along the beach, and found the "Brighton Fishing Museum", but it actually houses a variety of really lovely posters and general seaside paraphernalia! The above picture was our absolute favourite find, gentlemen on wooden horses enjoying a floating tea room....well, why not! Thoroughly recommend you pop into here if passing, it's right by the sea front, you can't miss it!
Amazing Typography on these posters, on the wish list!!
The Brighton Swimming club lads! Claire would like this poster-sized! ;)
Creepy Punch&Judy characters....and me!
We continued strolling, and stumbled upon the wonderful "Jack&Linda Mills Traditional Fish Smokers"which I recognised from Nigel Slater's "Simple Cooking" show. It's a fantastic shop, and Jack and Linda are the most friendly and likeable people you will be lucky to meet! We chose the simple hot mackerel roll, and it was absolutely splendid, one of my favourite foods!We also ate the rollmops, scrummy! They smoke fish in the traditional way with oak and apple wood, and i can assure you, you'll taste the difference! Jack and Linda's represents real, fresh honest food and brilliant value! Watch the video below and see how delightful it is to visit, I'll be back every time I'm in Brighton.
Nigel Slater meets Jack and Linda Mills
On the way back to Claire's pink house, we stumbled across "The Tea Cosy" - a tea room famous for its overwhelming collection of royal memorabilia! Sadly it was closed on this occasion, but I will be back to experience that 'Blighty beauty very soon.
My favourite aspect of Brighton is it's thriving cafe and food culture, businesses that aren't afraid to do things "their way". Considering I work in a coffee shop, I do know my good from bad, and i champion the individual businesses 100%...no...make that 200%! I never drink in chains out of choice, and in Brighton, you are so spoilt for choice on interesting places to sit and enjoy, it would be a crime not to investigate!
Our first cafe stop of the weekend was Marwood, who are proud of their "Kick Arse Coffee and Life Changing Cake!" and a very snazzy interior to boot! I really admire their passion to do it their way, particularly their views on decaf! ;) (Not cool, of course!) I doubt they faff about with "Babyccinos" either!
Now can i be honest here? I don't really drink coffee. There, I said it. Why? Because when you're around it (in a chain-environment) all week, it's not an inspiring choice. And in all honesty, you're not even focusing on real coffee because everyone wants "frappe-latte-mocha-choca-ccinos" (devils drinks!) Here, and also in the FANTASTIC "Redroaster" cafe, I had my soya latte, and loved every sip! Coffee can be enjoyable, I KNEW IT! I am a fan of the simple (yes, be it dairy free!) beverage, excessively modified drinks aren't big or clever.
The "life changing" cake also lived up to expectations, I had Pear and otherlovelystuff cake, and Claire had the Guinness Cake, Yum! OH, and they also win the best decorated powder room in town - Check out the saucy tea ladies!
Saturday was raining non stop so I dropped into the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, which is right next to The Pavilion, which I also visited for the first time - outstanding! Their collections of local pottery drove me simply maaaaad with jealousy! ALL of these can be added to the wish list. Just need to open my own museum to house them!
Claire also introduced me to "Snoopers Paradise" a very popular flea market which you could spend all day rummaging in, but it does get crowded and a bit fraught at the weekend...quite a few oddballs in there too! I didn't want to laden myself down with heavy purchases...but I did find some great photographs that i will put on the blog soon! This one stall had a great collection of bits and bobs, and nice wallpaper (not many of the stalls focus on display, just cram it all in!) This proud stag SHOULD have been mine if the world was fair.
In the end i did buy this 50's London themed scarf, and of course, some old photographs! Saturday night was wine, Japanese takeaway and Withnail&I. Utter joy!
And finally, my favourite purchase of the weekend comes from the utterly fantastic "Utility" who offer no nonsense, long lasting products for 'Blighty homes. You enter to the sound of cheery 30s jazz, and a warm greeting from owner Martha Tiffin. I honestly could have brought one of everything. I really admire their long lasting quality products that are Made in England. Everything is also most importantly, USEFUL! And NO shabby chic what-so-ever, joyous! Until I get a kitchen of my own to buy for, I settled for this brilliant "Teas Provided" tea towel, and some great post cards! Amazing shop, you won't be disappointed. I'm saving up for one of their aprons now!
And that was our weekend! So good to have my favourite 'gal back by my side! I will write a separate post for our visit to The Booth Museum, but I hope this could inspire a few trips to Brighton soon! (I know regulars there won't be surprised by my selection of venues, I haven't even scratched the surface yet!) It really is a brilliant town.
Hope you had a good weekend, never mind about the tennis eh?
