For a few years, it was a Wind the Frog family tradition to have a day at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. It was always the weekend or week right before school started; sort of a last fling of summer filled with roller coasters, carnival type rides and cotton candy. We didn't do it last year because Chizz was already in the UK and this year we weren't in the States at the same time.
Last weekend, the weather turned unexpectedly nice. (Fall is here with a vengeance people! I had to wear my jacket the very first day I was back!!!) So we headed out to Brighton. Brighton is about 50 miles south of London. It takes an hour to get there by train. We headed out to the train station, forgetting it was a Bank Holiday weekend. (I explained Bank Holidays here). Bank Holiday + nice weather = Quite a few people at the train station.
But in a strange way it added to the fun, like we were all in this together. We walked the few blocks to the beach and pier, the crowd from the train station and us. Once we got to the beach, it was beautiful. We were surprised to find out that the beach was quite a bit different from the beaches we are used to in California, Mexico, Hawaii. Instead of sand, the beach is made up of rocks. I guess that I was one of the few people who didn't know that Brighton Beach is famous for
its rock beach. This what the rocks look like. Surprisingly the rocks are not that
difficult to walk on. There were plenty of people enjoying the beach and water. In the background you can see the pier where there are carnival types rides. We walked over and the kids and Chizz went on quite a few rides, mostly roller coaster type rides, throw up rides. Not my cup of tea but I enjoy taking pictures and watching my daredevil family. It is very reminiscent of the Boardwalk at Santa Cruz, so it felt very familiar. Same kind of rides, game booths, food booths, people with multiple tattoos. You can tell it is a fun day at an amusement park when you leave with a slightly upset stomach, caused by either all the junk food consumed or some of the rides. Either way, fun day.
After the pier, we walked over to the Royal Pavilion. It is a former Royal Residence of King George IV, really before he became King. He was actually Prince Regent, essentially running the country because his dad George III was crazy. George IV bought the pavilion and had John Nash, the famous British architect, jazz it up a bit. The prince used it quite a bit as a love nest with his "secret" lover, Maria Fitzherbert. She was the love of his life but he was not permitted to legally marry her primarily because she was a Catholic (a rule which still stands today!) but also she had been widowed a few times as well and because of that was just not considered suitable. However, George IV was totally committed to her and they had a "secret" illegal wedding. Obviously it was never recognized as legal and about ten years later he married Caroline of Brunswick, whom he despised.
Last weekend, the weather turned unexpectedly nice. (Fall is here with a vengeance people! I had to wear my jacket the very first day I was back!!!) So we headed out to Brighton. Brighton is about 50 miles south of London. It takes an hour to get there by train. We headed out to the train station, forgetting it was a Bank Holiday weekend. (I explained Bank Holidays here). Bank Holiday + nice weather = Quite a few people at the train station.
But in a strange way it added to the fun, like we were all in this together. We walked the few blocks to the beach and pier, the crowd from the train station and us. Once we got to the beach, it was beautiful. We were surprised to find out that the beach was quite a bit different from the beaches we are used to in California, Mexico, Hawaii. Instead of sand, the beach is made up of rocks. I guess that I was one of the few people who didn't know that Brighton Beach is famous for
its rock beach. This what the rocks look like. Surprisingly the rocks are not that
difficult to walk on. There were plenty of people enjoying the beach and water. In the background you can see the pier where there are carnival types rides. We walked over and the kids and Chizz went on quite a few rides, mostly roller coaster type rides, throw up rides. Not my cup of tea but I enjoy taking pictures and watching my daredevil family. It is very reminiscent of the Boardwalk at Santa Cruz, so it felt very familiar. Same kind of rides, game booths, food booths, people with multiple tattoos. You can tell it is a fun day at an amusement park when you leave with a slightly upset stomach, caused by either all the junk food consumed or some of the rides. Either way, fun day.
After the pier, we walked over to the Royal Pavilion. It is a former Royal Residence of King George IV, really before he became King. He was actually Prince Regent, essentially running the country because his dad George III was crazy. George IV bought the pavilion and had John Nash, the famous British architect, jazz it up a bit. The prince used it quite a bit as a love nest with his "secret" lover, Maria Fitzherbert. She was the love of his life but he was not permitted to legally marry her primarily because she was a Catholic (a rule which still stands today!) but also she had been widowed a few times as well and because of that was just not considered suitable. However, George IV was totally committed to her and they had a "secret" illegal wedding. Obviously it was never recognized as legal and about ten years later he married Caroline of Brunswick, whom he despised.
George IV was noted for his extravagant lifestyle. He indulged himself often. I am not sure if it was this aspect of his personality, or some genetic fallout from his dad's insanity, or acting out defiantly in connection with his "secret" wife, but this Royal Pavilion is nothing like any other royal residence I have seen in this country. I heard someone say that they had just returned from a trip to the 
Taj Mahal and this architecture was very similar to what they saw in India. I really agree. John Nash, the British architect, was apparently very enamored of Indian architecture and used it as an influence here. It is hard to believe this was created by the same man who designed most of the layout of Regency London. This project is very, very different than another remodel he is known for - Buckingham Palace.
Taj Mahal and this architecture was very similar to what they saw in India. I really agree. John Nash, the British architect, was apparently very enamored of Indian architecture and used it as an influence here. It is hard to believe this was created by the same man who designed most of the layout of Regency London. This project is very, very different than another remodel he is known for - Buckingham Palace.So things so different can have a common thread. Royal Pavilion and Buckingham Palace - so different in style but designed by the same man. Just because we moved 5000 miles away, we didn't need to give up our last summer beach boardwalk tradition. We just moved it, slightly.
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