Brighton Revisited, with Annemarie

Hi peeps!  

Is there something in blogging etiquette that prevents me from kicking off this post by kicking off ?

Well if there is then permission to ignore it?  Just today?

Because I decided I'd have another bash at writing a post on his laptop and it has taken me, hmm quick check. 45 minutes to log on and get to this page and commence typing.  

The alternative is to type posts on Kindle and that's one finger typing and probably takes just as long as firing up this thing.

Moan over, but I just wanted to let you know that there is a lot of blood, swearing and tears behind the scenes when writing a blog.  But we're here now, so let's see what I can do.

Long post alert: to be read curled up in an armchair with a cuppa and with no plans for the rest of the day.

Putting typing posts aside (please!), there is a wonderful side to blogging - getting to know great ladies through the blog (readers and bloggers) and just occasionally meeting up with a blogger IRL.

It's a challenge for me to do this as I live off mainland Great Britain.  When I'm over in England I try to meet up with bloggers whenever I can, and I've been lucky enough to meet up several times with the lovely ANNEMARIE OF MUTTON YEARS STYLE (here) and we're getting to be like old friends.

During my recent visit to Sussex we met up in Brighton.  I've  visited Brighton thrice before in my life: to watch someone eat 12 doughnuts on Brighton Pier (a challenge and I had to pay for them), to mooch and eat in The Lanes, and a tour of the shops.

But I'd passed the Pavilion there on my mooch and was very keen to see inside the amazing building, which resembles the Taj Mahal.  In a Sussex city.  Yeah, I know, surreal.

So I arranged my blogger meet in Brighton so that I could see this cracking building's interior décor.  I was not disappointed!   

Let's look back on our day in Brighton.

Here's a potted version of what we did.  Me.  Anna.  Brighton Pavilion.  The Lanes.  Gin Palace.  And a Mexican eatery.

 

Me with Pancake Hair  - READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE.

And if you want to read no further, then these two pics give you a brief overview of our day out.  I will think no worse of you if you walk away now.  But you will miss out, so your loss my friend ...

Ahhh, you're still here.   Phew!

Let's put some more meat on my pic collage's bones then.

For starters, we arranged to meet at  the Royal Pavilion, "in the café"

Who was to know there'd be two of the blighters.  So TP and I munched on scones and slurped coffee whilst the logistics were sorted out and Annemarie and her hubs tracked us down.

It wasn't long before I was put on the naughty step.

Apparently photos are not permitted in the Pavilion's display rooms.  So Annemarie and I we suffered one hour of bloggers' anguish as we frustratedly held back our clicking fingers.   So difficult as there was oodles of beauty we wanted to share with you - the place is a.maz.ing!!

Please go to Royal Pavilion

to read all about this amazing building's history and marvel at the sumptuous interiors.

I've taken a few pics from the site to whet your appetite.

credit: aforementioned website

 And then, the gift shop.  There's always a gift shop eh?  

But this one was probably the most stylish gift shop I've ever darkened the doorsteps of.  

If you are in Brighton and have just an hour or two to spare, this is where you must spend it.  Trust me.

The surrounding gardens have a nice relaxed vibe.

But after an hour or two of culture, a girl must seek refreshments.  In a Gin Palace.

Annemarie introduced me to this.  Tanqueray Sevilla.  Orange gin.  Peeps, one sip and I was smitten.  

TP bought me a bottle when we got home as my Easter pressie (I'm not that much into chocolate but I AM into GIN!).  And he bought a second bottle as back-up, so serious is much love of this stuff that we cannot risk there being none in the booze cabinet.

Tanqueray Sevilla, Fevertree tonic, 1 slice each of orange, lemon and lime, ice cubes.  Job done!

It also makes a refreshing drink without the gin.  So I'm told.

We moved on to a Mexican restaurant.

And moved on from the gin to the cocktails.  Pink pineapple punch (already consumed) and P#rn Star Martini which comes with its own cava chaser.

Yes, being savvy shoppers Annemarie and I availed ourselves of the DOGOF (drink one get one free, is my interpretation).  I left the "buying" part to TP so it was more DOGOF than BOGOF.

But it is always sensible to soak up alocohol with hearty food.  So I'm told.

This chicken enchilada with refried beans was de.lish!

Now fed and, er, watered, we debated going on a hunt for a blouse Annemarie was desirous of.  But it started to rain.  And we felt a few drops of drizzle would spoil the mood of the day so we stayed in the restaurant and formed a Plan B.  And possibly imbibed another cocktail whilst we constructed said Plan B.  So I'm told.

I should mention here, for the record, that I've never been exposed to much cocktail drinking - but I am now ardently planning to change that!  They really do not seem anything more harmful than very pleasant fruity drinks, but there is a peril to taking this view … one peril being unable to do up one's own coat buttons.  So I'm told.

We then decided fresh air and exercise were needed, so braving those last few rogue raindrops we left the lovely restaurant and walked through The Lanes (READ visitbrighton FOR MORE).  This little warren of bustling streets is another must-see if you are in Brighton.

At one point we were in danger of losing Annemarie …

... but I followed the perfume trail and found her in this pleasant smelling pop up shop, buying a super aromaed shower gel.

I've put together my snippets of film to share a little of the atmosphere of the day, which I hope you watch (duration around 3 minutes, I think)

 

So I hope you've enjoyed your day out with Annemarie and me.  Please pop over to her blog to read her take on the day brighton-my-new-boho-scarf-and-mary., HERE; her posts are always a joy to read.

Here's to the next meet-up in June, Annemarie.  Cheers!

A la perchoine,

Mary X.