Picture Courtesy: UrbanPlumber
End of another day West Pier Hove. Part of the Pier collapsed bottom left, now cleared for safety reasons.
Picture Courtesy: UrbanPlumber
A Boxing day sunset over the West Pier Hove.
Picture Courtesy: UrbanPlumber
Another “Med” like day in sunny Brighton. My beach when I was a teenager, good memories early 70’s
Picture Courtesy: UrbanPlumber
I’ve posted a couple of aerial shots of Regency Square Brighton, from a balcony on the 11th Floor Sussex Heights, looking West over to Hove. Regency Square was constructed in 1818 – 1828 on what was called the Belle Vue Field. Individual plots were bought from the developer Joshua Hanson. Covenants were drawn for this development which required owners to repaint the facades every three years and contribute towards the up keep of the enclosure . The Covenants ran for 71 years from 1818 and subsequently taken over after by the Corporation as part of the 1884 Brighton Improvement Act. ( Zoom in and look around the buildings )
Picture Courtesy: UrbanPlumber
View of, the back of the East Side, of Regency Square. The facades and frontages of these Grade ll listed buildings are fairly well manicured, the rear of these buildings, not so as you can see. Added extensions and new builds cling to the rear running up to road behind. The 1.56 acre gardens in the Square hide the underground car park that was built at a cost of £523.000 and was opened in the Easter of 1969.
Picture Courtesy: UrbanPlumber
Amex Stadium open day last year, getting acquainted with my seat in the 1901 Middle West Stand. Fab views!
After the week before last’s poor display against Wrexham away, I really thought Brighton would get a serious doing from this Premiership side. Just how wrong was I.
We don’t bother driving to the stadium for the games, getting out of the car park is a serious issue. With Aldrington Halt just around the corner from me, it makes sense to catch the train through to Brighton then transfer over to pick up the train for the Amex.
The Train was heaving with Albion fans all chomping at the bit to get to the Big game. On arrival at the Amex, the area outside the station was as busy as usual, teams of fella’s trying to knock out Brighton vs Newcastle scarves for a fiver a throw, ticket touters offering bargain tickets and the sizzling of the Burger vans trying to keep up with demand.
As we walked across the station bridge towards the ground, the size of the Amex Stadium hit’s you, what a great bit of Architecture, what a great ground. I meet my Business Partners in the lounge and settle in for a couple of nice drinks and shoot the s##t before the game.
The Stadium was a sell out, the Brighton fans were in splended voice and so were the Newcastle fans who braved the long journey down South. From the start Brighton went straight in attacking then defending well when they had too. Newcastle didn’t really get a look in. It was a good first half, the Albion looked a totally different side than the one that took on Wrexham. The second half was just as good, then Will Buckley came down the left wing, attempted a shot and got a deflection off the defender, straight in the back of the net. The crowd including myself were going mad, we scored against a big premiership side, pure magic. The Newcastle supporters end went very quiet indeed and that was that, with four minuets of extra time left, Newcastle did push but we deffended well. The whistle blew, game over, next round here we come.
Time to get in the queue for the return train ride back to Brighton Station, it always seems to be jammed to the hilt, but really it moves well the train comes, we eventually get the second train back and manage to grab a seat. A quick transfer over for the Hove train, then a short walk home. All in all a good game, nice Saturday afternoon. SEAGULL’Sssssss…
Picture Courtesy: UrbanPlumber
What a little gem this Glasgow crest is. My interest not just being the amazing Fountain, my point of interest ,being the Crest embedded into the earthenwere brickwork on “The Doulton Fountain” at the People’s Palace, Glasgow Green. The Fountain was devised by A. E. Pearce of Messrs Doulton for the 1888 International Exhibition in Kelvingrove. After it was presented to the City by Sir Henry Doulton, it was re-erected where it stands today.
Picture Courtesy: UrbanPlumber
This Crest magnificently built into facade above the entrance to The People’s Palace. The design embedded in to the Crest say’s,
Here’s the Bird, that never flew,
Here’s the Tree, that never grew,
Here’s the Bell, that never rang,
Here’s the Fish, that never swam. It is said that there is a another line. That’s jist the drunken Salmon!
Should you get the chance, pay this part of the East of Glasgow a visit, well worth it.
Picture Courtesy : UrbanPlumber
Walking through the back of the “Barra’s” heading towards Glasgow Green, I stumbled across this modern addition of the Crest.
Picture Courtesy of: UrbanPlumber
Hove Actually’s Magnificent Restored Bandstand in all its glory, the remains of the West Pier on the horizon. This Bandstand lay in disrepair for many years. It did function in the 70’s, I remember military bands playing on it during the summer season. Its has been wonderfully restored by great tradesman back to its original state. People love to have their photo’s taken here, a fantastic focal point in Hove, situated on the promenade between the Hove Lawns/Peace Statue and the remains of the West Pier.
A mere shadow of its once splended self, all that remains is the charred carcass of what was a beautiful Pier. I grew up in Hove, the beach/Seafront played a huge part in my growing up years, it is still a big part of what I do now.
As a young boy this beach “The West Pier beach” was one of my favorites. When I used to use this beach in the early 70’s the Pier was a fully working concern, with different shows and amusements, the Pier decks were heaving with visitors and locals alike.
We as a gang of lads would cycle down and along the Hove Lawns and esplanade to grab a good position on the beach for the long hot day ahead. The bikes were piled up, the towels were down, the sun was getting hotter and sea beckoned. It was always best when the tide was out or going out, because we could swim or wade out to the end of the Pier with our feet just being able to touch the sand bed below. On the turn of the tide, we would catch the waves and body surf back to shore again and again. Long hot lovely days…
New Years Day a few years back now, I was up early 5.30am, the local radio station news declared that, the West Pier had been Arson attacked and was burning beyond control. After a quick cup of coffee, “Mac the Jack” was leashed up and we walked the mile or so to the Pier from home in the wind and rain, passing homeward bound party goer’s still drinking and hugging each other exchanging “Happy New Years” with me. As we approached, It was a sad sight indeed, the Pier’s long cast iron legs held he burning old lady out of the water, so she just slowly burned until all that remained was the metal skeleton that is now a huge tourist attraction
A small party of early risers were watching the Pier burn as I wondered on to the beach with the dog, tears were shed and some were gathering timber embers that had dropped into the sea and washed up the beach from the flaming wreck. Most people were still in bed or recovering from the night before parties, blissfully unaware that the poor old girl ” The West Pier ” was dying. What you see in my picture is all that remains now, the rest of the Pier that linked the shore to the remaining carcass was severally storm damaged and had to be demolished for safety reasons.
I managed to take this shot of the Pier from the eleventh floor at ” Sussex Heights ” overlooking the beach and Pier, whilst working in an apartment.
Got on the bike tonight. Pumped up the rear tyre, attached the front and rear lights, got changed into suitable cycling attire and high viz stuff and set off.
I head off along the back and side roads towards the seafront, the main roads are a nightmare in the town, too busy with drivers who don’t really give a crap. We have a great cycle lane system in Brighton, I love it as a cyclist and hate it as a motorist, both cyclists and motorist not giving a quarter.
The cycle lane at peak evening times is a bit like the M25, not really but its bloody busy both directions, not for the faint hearted. Its funny really, the amount of cyclists out there with out lights or high viz or anything that may make them more visible, its ridiculous.
It feels great riding in the dark on the beach promenade, heading East no wind now after our storms, the street lights in the distance, the seafront buildings and the Palace Pier illuminate the sky as I scream along the cycle lane like a Tour de France domestic, “I wish”. My breathing pretty good considering my fitness level.
I got to make the best of this cycling regime over the next few months, at least in this direction as these cycle lanes will be polluted with tourists who havn’t a clue that they are on the lane, cycling becomes a nightmare. Anyway Iv’e reached West street, the main Road that leads the tourist from the beach back up to Brighton Station, from here the pier approaches with the new Brighton wheel strategically placed a few hundred yards along Madeira Drive. The main seafront road is heaving with the evening rush hour traffic as I glide through past the wheel and along Madeira Drive towards the Marina.
Having not been along this road a night, I forgot just how seedy it is at night, for a split moment cycling along, I thought “the wrought iron arches that run the length of this stretch of road look great”, they are illuminated up with blue light which makes them look terrific, then it hit me, the blue light is for the benefit of the drug users that frequent these arches, that spoilt that illusion. I got past the arches, now cyclists and pedestrians are few and far between it darker, no lighting but I can see the Marina in the distance, that’s my goal.
I knew this part of Brighton was strange, it has always had a bad reputation but when you drive by on the above road, you don’t take any notice of the goings on below. I turn around at the Marina car park and head back, shit there is a head wind, didn’t feel a thing going now I’m going back, its smacking me in the face. The sworded area to my right is heaving with the night life, I can see and hear people mostly blokes on blokes going in and out of the bushes looking for their kicks I will leave it to your imagination.
The journey back was harder due to the head wind but the views of the town at night are brill, I really need a go on the Brighton Wheel soon, must book a ride. I decided to take the main road from the front up Hove Street to Sackville road, risky business with the traffic, just got to take control now untill I turn in for my road. Must do it again soon!
New Years Eve in Glasgow! always an anti climax for me, not that I am the party animal type. A quick last visit to the Brother and sister in Law’s, a few door’s away from where we stay, back indoor’s for 10pm before getting my head down. Oh I didn’t mention, got to get up before the Bell’s (Midnight) stand outside in the pissing rain to first foot the house for the New Year 2012 with a bottle of Stella in my hand.
The alarm was set for 5am for a 6.30 departure back home to Brighton. The van was filled with diesel the afternoon before, the two ladies behind the counter at the Petrol station recognised from my accent, that I was not native to Glasgow. We exchanged polite conversation and they said, “we are always here, see you next time you are up”, you don’t get that type of friendly chat from counter staff at filling stations, well not in my experience.
Because of the high winds and rain, the firework celebrations that evening were damped down, so getting back to sleep for a few hours wasn’t too hard, getting up at 5am was hard work, after a couple of weeks Christmas break and not having to get up for work. Even the dog, an 11 year old “git” of a Jack Russell wasn’t to keen on getting up, however he had an inkling that we had packed ready for home so he was getting wound up, hope the vets travel pill kicks in with an 8-9 hour drive ahead.
Got to walk “Mac the Jack” before kicking off home. Its raining hard and windy, thinking, not looking forward to the driving conditions ahead. Had my first Happy New Year greeting from an old lady doing the early morning dog walking thing. A taxi passes and pulls up to collect a few people leaving what looked like the end of a party, plenty of drunken loud voices exchanging goodbyes.
Just had time for a quick cuppa and to say our goodbyes to Karen our host and Sophie the King Charles Ruby Spaniel before setting off for 6.30am. The Van, a VW 28TDi was loaded, Sat Nav primed with our home bound destination. We choose to travel back New Years day mainly because the roads are not to busy and there aren’t so many lorries bombing down the Motorways.
Its raining and getting very windy as we take a gentle run through Mary Hill, Glasgow and it’s not to long before we pick up the Motorway South bound heading for Carlisle and Southern England. The Motorways through Glasgow are well-lit until you hit the outer City limits, then its down to cats eye’s, well-worn road markings, full beam headlights and the occasional illuminated road direction display.
I’ve never minded driving in the dark, its easy down South, plenty of street lighting and most towns are close to each other so there isn’t really too much full on darkness to experience. Winter driving heading South is a whole new ball game. Lucky for me this time I wasn’t driving back in the snow and ice, however total darkness, your partner and mutt sleeping, the lack of other vehicles and the full force of driving rain and high winds, makes for a very testing drive. It being New years Day and very early morning, cars and vehicles were few and far between, I think I was over taken only a half-dozen times on that long stretch through Scotland on the M74 and was very grateful to follow a vehicles red lights and road spray for a time. Driving in those conditions you think to your self, “What the bloody hell am I doing here”.
Dawn broke very slowly. Just when you thought it was going to get light, thick heavy rain clouds burst again and the little light was lost again. Two hours from the start of the journey I was happy to see the road sign, Welcome to England another six hours driving for us. Mags and the dog still sleeping albeit broken sleep, the dawn was breaking nicely now but still hammering down with gusty winds, still there are not to many vehicles about which makes for a better drive.
My first pit stop was three and a half hours in. The Motorway stops are handy for a pee refuelling, letting the dog out to do his stuff, or maybe a Costa coffee. The dog was pleased to stretch his legs, sniff trees where other canines have left their marks. When entering the Motorway stop the first thing you look for is the loo’s, but before you find a loo direction sign, you are bombarded with strategically placed sweets, doughnuts, papers, neck supports and all manner of useless items and knickknacks, that the retailers want to flog on. The staff sorting the coffee were vaccant as shit house door’s, youngsters in jobs they don’t really want, but need’s must. We can’t be bothered to sit for long, so its coffee back to the van, refuel the motor then head on. Forgot to take my jacket off, to late, will have to pull over at the next service station twenty odd miles on.
After pulling up again quickly to remove my jacket, its straight back on the M6 heading South, its amazing just how the contours of the land change, from hills and mountain ranges in Scotland to vast farmlands, fields and hill’s South bound. The M6 Toll road approaches with the Sat Nav ordering me to stay right, lovely stretch of road by-passing Birmingham, the rain and wind has dropped, just another few hours to go, don’t need another fuel stop but the dog might need to stretch, I think he will make it home, the vets travel pill has worked a treat for him this time. Mac usually starts to get restless just before we get off the M25, can he sense or smell home. The dreaded M25 road to Hell is the next obsticle, on a good day it flows nicely, on bad day it is Hell! hedging my bets that its New Years day and the volume of traffic won’t be that heavy.
I was right, traffic volume managable, the sky is starting to darken again and the wind is picking up again. Passing Heathrow is usually a nightmare, a plane takes off and hangs over the motorway or least it seems before turning and heading off somewhere nice, we moved swiftly past, about an hour and a half to go, then its home. The road signs for Gatwick Airport were a pleasure to see now, the heavans opened up the wind increased and the traffic adjusted to suit the conditions apart from the idiot brigade driving like lunatics adding to the road spray problem.
The final leg of the journey now and we are off the Motorways, I take the Hickstead turning off the duel carrageway and head on over the South Downs, now with its National Park status, towards the Devil’s Dyke, stunning views of the Sussex country side and great views east towards Brighton and Hove. In the right conditions, the Isle of White can be seen from up there. Must stop for a quick pint of milk before home. The rain is still heavy, the wind is getting more wild home is here now, Iam knackered now, eight hours hard driving, its good to be in now, lets stick the kettle on.
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