Brighton Rock(s)

"...out on the coast, there was a time it could've been different..."

"I can see the sea!!"

 A Mother-Daughter trip away for a couple of nights had been arranged and was thus the motivation for my exam revision... 

Leeds -> London -> Brighton...
Gone were the endless fields of buttercups out the train window and instead we were greeted by the city with a coast not yet visible. Peculiar though it may seem, within just under an hour train journey from London one can escape the bustling city in exchange for a peaceful stroll along Brighton Pier, ice-cream in hand.

Upon our arrival into this diverse city, it felt as though Summer had declared it's presence also, as the sun shone through streets to reveal the sea shore.

The Flour Pot served a fab iced frap...

Inside - the cafe had a great vibe

Bacon Sarnie to kickstart the day...

Not quite the Breakfast at Tiffany's
Holly Golightly would have had in
mind...

 More than anything, our few days away were a food fest. The extensive array of cafes and restaurants were suitable for anyone (it's a vegans and veggies' paradise!). 
Smoothies, Frappe's, and cakes galore during the day before our two nights of fine dining in the evening were the perfect combo.

Our first evening was spent in Côte, a French Brasserie where I indulged in a typically French "Steak et Frites" (accompanied by a glass of rosé). Sited in the old music library, the gentle murmur of voices combined harmoniously well with the darkly candlelit room.

As my Mum is a vegetarian (and owner of a veggie blog), we booked a table at Terre à Terre for our last night - a Michelin-star veggie restaurant which will transform anyones opinion about Vegetarian food being boring... Not only was the Churrosimo a divine pudding, but the clever take on fish and chips with battered halloumi instead was mouth watering!

In-between our mouthfuls of food, we managed to squeeze in a few cultural experiences. The impressive Royal Pavilion, King George IV's fantasy palace with Indian and Chinese elements merged, was breath taking and the audio tour allowed an insight into the many mistresses he bedded and the grand banquets he held in the decadent hall.

Having a couple of hours to kill on the Friday before our train, a quick stop was also made at the Brighton Museum/Art Gallery.             The paintings reflected the changing conditions for women over time and "encouraged the viewer to question whether gender matters when interpreting art".

Whilst shopping, a man approached us and asked if he could draw me. Hesitant yet intrigued, I was persuaded when he claimed he could do it within 100 seconds (as he drew catwalk models on runways and therefore had to be quick). 

As the charcoal hit the paper on the clipboard I was holding, I was amazed at how talented he was at 'capturing the moment'. Once done, I handed over a small donation in exchange for the drawing, which shall be framed in my room.

Our trip also involved a stroll along the pier, pit-stopping halfway in some of the deck chairs looking out onto the beach, before catching some rays on the beach for half an hour (yes, it was actually hot enough to in England!).

The City with a Sea; it's ideal just for a "Daycation" from London. Brighton, you served us well with a relaxing few days after a stressful few months and I shall be leaving here with fond memories (and a pocketful of pebbles).