Brighton

Trip was uneventful, Julia was there, I have a key, know how to set and release the alarm and can even handle the central heating control unit. First night had hardly any sleep due probably to the late and funny meal I had. In the morning Steve arrived to carry on building the kitchen. Lovely bloke, good and fast worker and the standard of his work seems to be good too. Bought a day bus ticket and went into town. Saw some Reginald Hill books, but no special offers, so thought that I will not buy them at full price until I have done all the second hand and charity shops. Then bought a suitcase for the trip back, did some charity shops where I found a couple of Hill books. I also bought a few other books and then went to Infinity for nut butter and nuts. Met Pete at a fish and chips restaurant in Baker Street where the cod and chips was very nice indeed. Afterwards we went back to Stephen's to drop the shopping and went out to see The King's Speech.

That film was superb. On a variety of levels it produced enjoyment in the extreme. Did some food shopping en route home and collapsed into bed around 11 pm. Before that finalised Thursday's program with Ruth which was a walk to Stanmer Park and lunch in the tearooms.

Today I woke to bad weather which put paid to the walk, but as it happened I didn't feel too good with my back and a cold, so I didn't mind. Finally Ruth and Ian turned up just after 12. We chatted for about an hour and then went to The Royal Oak in Twineham. That pub still looks exactly like it did in 1968 when I went there for the first time. The food was superb,Ian and I had Springs Smoked Salmon Ploughmans, Ruth soup and roast beef ploughman. The lovely old and enormous fireplace kept us nice and warm, the doggy was cute hoovering all dropped bits of food and we all had a good time. (see pics)