The 2 Brighton's in my Life

Before coming to Australia, I used to live in the East Sussex town of Brighton in the UK. Just before, I left to move permanently to Australia Brighton, East Sussex became a City. The place as many happy memories for me, including the many wonderful friends I made and my some of my family members, who still live there. The architecture in and around Brighton, UK is so varied and amazing that I couldn't help but be mesmerized by it.

Brighton, UK has a unique charm about it and is quite a bustling seaside town. Dr Russel made it famous in the Victorian Era with his notion of 'sea air and bathing boxes' being good for rude health. Also making the town famous was King George IV, his love for Princess Charlotte, the Royal Pavilion and the Dome. However, it was the architecture that grabbed my heart strings first and one fountain in particular that still resides in the Old Steine.

When I was studying history at secondary school, we were taken to the Old Steine to draw objects of buildings and Decor - oh what a glorious day that was combining my love of history, architecture and  art and it was only a stones throw from home. Here are some photographs of the Fountain, The Dome and the Royal Pavilion:-

Old Steine Fountain,showing the 3 Dolphins, the heraldic animals on Brighton's Coat of Arms

Part of the Dome and the Brighton Museum, which used to be the Royal Stables in the time of King George IV

The side of the Royal Pavilion, Brighton UK designed by John Nash

The Royal Pavilion, Brighton UK, at the time undergoing some renovations, inside it's extremely ornate

There is also one pub that I always loved from the outside - The King and Queen - still quite close to the Old Steine and on the main London to Brighton Road. It's designed in Tudor style and when growing up in Brighton, they would have Jazz evenings. Outside they have a courtyard and an aviary, where families would sit in summer eating a pub lunch and enjoying the summer sun - yes, contrary to popular belief, the UK does have some sunshine!

The King and Queen Pub, Brighton, UK the King statue above the door way is Henry VIII not too sure which wife of his
is on the otherside

The King and Queen Pub, Brighton UK, entrance to the courtyard and Aviary 

Brighton, UK, technically is also the seaside town with 2 Piers - I say technically because one has been destroyed many times and sadly now is a burnt out structure. They had talked about saving the West Pier but after the last fire all hope seemed lost. The other Pier used to be council owned and known as Palace Pier, it eventually, like all things became owned by a company and is now known as the Brighton Pier.

The collapsed and burnt out shell of the West Pier, Brighton, UK - oh and Pebbled beach

In contrast, The Brighton Pier thriving with amusements, arcades, restaurants and bars

Summer evenings were always my favourite in Brighton, sitting out having a drink with friends on warm evenings and watching the sun go down, I guess I cherished these so much as our Summers weren't terribly long.

Sunset over Brighton Marina, UK

Sunset, over Brighton Beach, UK

Of course there are a few differences between the two Brighton's, the beach in the UK has many pebbles on and no sand and the Beach Boxes that Brighton, Victoria, Australia is famous for, exist down by Hove beach in the UK, which is a little further down from Brighton Beach, UK. Another difference is yup the weather, one Christmas, I was working in the Town Centre when it started to snow, my Australian Colleague was so excited that she requested to go outside and look, naturally, I went outside and snapped a photo.

Snow at Christmas time in Churchill Square main shopping area of Brighton UK

Now no talk about a seaside town would be complete without Saucy seaside pics

So Brighton, So Saucy

The Whirling Waltzer Woman ready to send you into a spin

The Beach Boxes and Sand at Brighton Beach, Victoria, Australia

I love going down to Brighton beach, Victoria, Australia and seeing all the Wedding Parties pose in front of the boxes during the summer months. It's quite gorgeous to see all the limousines parked in the car park above and watch the brides daintily walk down, dress in hand to the beach, Groom in tow. I have spent many a happy summer's evening here watching the sun set and cooling off in the water.

Sun setting on Brighton Beach looking towards Melbourne City, Victoria, Australia

Looking out to Sea whilst the Sun sets on Brighton Beach, Victoria, Australia

Sunsets and sunrises are one of my favourite subjects of Photography, more to come in future blogs ...