Piers and pavillions

The trouble with falling asleep at 4:30 in the afternoon is that you are bound to get an early start the next day.

Sure enough we are out and about before 7 the next morning. At least this helps us beat the crowds.

The morning is blustery. We see a group of locals risking exposure as they head for an early morning swim - I feel thy put the Bondi icebergs to shame.

We have time to get the lay of the land and discover that we can walk to everywhere we want to go from our hotel - which is lucky as there is no way we want to drive. We find a cafe that opens for breakfast at 7 and are on their doorstep a little before that, having already walked on the pebbly beach, checked out the entrance to the pier and watched the squirrels in the gardens of the Royal Pavillion.

A chilly walk really helps you appreciate a warm coffee and a full English breakfast.

I have read so many historical novels that include a fictional visit to the Royal Pavillion that I can't help but be excited to be there in person. I particularly love the gigantic chandeliers hanging from the claws of dragons. Unfortunately you aren't allowed to take ANY photos inside. Grant is less entranced and mutters about Wealth  built on exploitation of colonies...

One story we find amusing is a card next to a large ormolu clock on the mantelpiece of one of the rooms. When the Victoria decided that the Pavillion was not really to her taste (too public, being right in the middle of town. And I do have some sympathy for her opinion that it is silly to have a home so close to the sea with no sea views) much of the Royal furniture and ornamentation was removed and used elsewhere in other Royal properties. The card explained that the city of Brighton paid to have a replica of this particular clock made for the Pavillion. It seems incredible to us that the Royal family couldn't spare one clock...

We also cover the lanes - which seem to have a lot of designer shops (no fur hats though!) and generally enjoy the architecture. I need to have a cider before I can brave a walk to the end of the pier. The weather has only got worse as the day has gone on and I am freezing.

By the end of the day we feel that we have well and truly covered the place and done more than our allocated 10000 steps. We had originally located a pub called the Lion and Lobster that Grant had spotted on the internet before we left Canberra as our dinner destination - but it turned out to be packed. So we find another cafe - which turns out to have delicious food and great service. Then it's one final trudge through the wind and rain to finish our day at the seaside.