Our three-day trip across the country began the day after I finished with exams. We caught a train to London at 9:28 so that we could pick up Diana's car. Her parents have a flat in London and she left her car with them since she has to wake up at 8:30 every morning to register her car when she keeps it here. The train ride was uneventful except that Diana bought her ticket using her Mum's credit card and you need the card you paid for the ticket with in order to pick it up. Tickets are expensive when you don't purchase them in advance so it cost over double what she'd paid the day before. London was nice and we walked around outside for a bit since it was such a nice day.
While we waited for her to pick up the car me and Chris checked out this small church that was on the way. Nothing special about it but it's nice. Pretty ordinary for over here although back home this would be very ritzy.
According to Chris you can tell the difference between a Catholic church and an Anglican one by the direction that the priest stands when performing the service. They also have mass every week instead of just once a month. I suppose that's obvious to Catholics but I didn't know it. I always meant to attend a Catholic service just to see what it's like but I fear I'd feel like a hypocrite and an intruder. It's easier to just ask Chris these things since he went to a Catholic school and forgets nothing. Once Diana picked up her car we drove to Brighton.
The Royal Pavilion is the reason that we were going to Brighton. When I was gushing about how much I liked Brighton (I went several times as a kid) Diana mentioned the Royal Pavilion which I couldn't remember seeing. So she decided to take me. She is currently my cultural attache. The Royal Pavilion was a summer palace used by the royal family, especially George IV (the fat one) and Queen Victoria. It is designed to look like an Indian palace since India had recently been added to the Empire. Inside it keeps up the Indian influence but ups the opulence. It is one of the wealthiest looking places I have ever seen. Unfortunately photography is not allowed inside the building so there's really nothing to show.
A highlight of the tour was what we called the 'Dragon Room.' Anyone who goes there will know why we called it that. It was as if the architect won a bet as to how many dragons he could fit into one room. It epitomizes the tastelessness and luxuriousness of the place. The tour goes around the palace in a set direction. There is no wandering around aimlessly looking at whatever takes your fancy. I miss Eastern countries. They never try to herd you quite so much as Britain does. Every major building I've been to here does the same thing. Very organized and yet strangely sterile.
Also detailed was the ridiculous extremes of George IV and his ever increasing belt line. The man just could not stop eating, wasting money, and sleeping around. It has always seemed an example of the quality of the English government that it could defeat Napoleon during the reign of such a useless nobody. There was also a room showing how the Pavilion was used as a hospital for Indian troops during World War I. It includes rather a neat contemporary video showing the king touring the place.
Outside the Pavilion are a series of restaurants and stores. Brighton has a great shopping district with some great and eclectic stores. You can find almost anything there from swordsmiths to chocolate-makers.
Brighton beach is a wonderful place. In a strange way it was rather unfortunate that we came there on such a beautiful day. Everyone was at the beach and the place was packed. Parking cost ₤16 for four hours. Brighton can get away with that. The beach itself consists of pebbles and isn't sandy like some of the beaches in Cornwall.
The best part of Brighton is the pier. It has an amusement park with rides at the end and is just a generally pleasant place to be. It also has gambling dens, arcade games, and the greatest donuts in the country. They make them while you watch. We had an amusing encounter with a seagull while we were there. Diana was standing there with her donut when suddenly a seagull swooped down and snatched it away without even touching her. The pier is filled with seagulls and they get in everyone's way. Brighton Pier is lovely at night too although the wind can get very cold.
50°48'54.37"N, 0° 8'13.67"W
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