A peak of the Brighton Pavillion
Anyone who knows me, knows that I love the BBC mini-series production of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth. I highly recommend this version, not only for the absolutely stunning scenery and exceptional film-making but also because Colin Firth is such a cutie in this film. (Sorry Colin, not that you will ever be reading this, but you are – live with it!). There is one scene in that movie where the youngest daughter Lidia, who can be extremely annoying, is whining bitterly because her father will not let her and her sister go to Brighton. At the dining table she exclaims in a piercing annoying whine, “But I wanna go to Brighton,” puffs and pouts and her father says, “And still I am not moved!”. I love it. But because of that scene I have always wanted to get to Brighton to see what all the fuss is about. So Valerie and I took a day trip there. Ironically, this coincided with the Pride festival – totally unrelated to Pride and Prejudice – but just dripping with irony.
A more complete picture of the outside of the Brighton Pavillion which is very hard to capture in a simple photograph.
Unfortunately we only had about 4 hours there and I could have spend another day for sure. It was a hopping bustling place, not only because of the festival but also because this seaside resort is quite beautiful and it was SUNNY – for the first time in ages. But Valerie told me that this place is very popular and is always busy. We spent the bulk of our time visiting the Brighton Pavilion. The Royal Pavilion is a former royal residence. It was built in three campaigns, beginning in 1787, as a seaside retreat for George, Prince of Wales, from 1811 Prince Regent. It is built in the Indo-Saracenic style prevalent in India for most of the 19th century, with the most extravagant chinoiserie interiors ever executed in the British Isles. And it is pretty opulent but unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures.
Valerie in the train enroute to Brighton
The details and grandeur of the place could be mind-blowing. But you will just have to go on your own to see it and I highly recommend it. However, given that we spent the bulk of our time in there, I only had a short jaunt around the seafront and to some of the festivities of the festival. The place was brimming with gay couples and is known as the gay capital of Britain and certainly the Pride festival adds to that. But despite all the distractions I could see the draw of Brighton. Lots of pedestrian shopping and dining areas, lots of funky shops and a general jovial atmosphere.
The bustling party streets for the Pride Festival in Brighton
Given Lidia’s taste and hunger in her young pubescent years of wanting to find men, she might not have had as much luck this time around given the Pride festival – at least not men interested in her – but she still would have/could have had fun in the sun, surf and activities.
The Brighton Pier congested with seaside goers and the like.
Have never been to Brighton – glad you enjoyed it and I did not know that it was considered the Gay capital in Britain. – interesting.
Well certainly during Pride festival but that is what I read somewhere.
“I would love to go sea bathing.”