DAY 65-67
We are off to see my Brighton Belle today at her new University in Sussex. For this special trip I’ve hired a flash new car – a Fiat 500. They have great marketing for this car:

‘Unmistakably Italien, undeniably you’…
And even ‘The Happiest small car’>

However my reaction to my VroomVroom.com bargain booking is less than cheery. ‘Don’t tell me I’ve got that car..?’ This is at the thought of a long journey in an inch winsy, bloody tiny tin can… with my Father unable to open his large AA map book in the front, and my Mother squashed in the back….

However as we speed along the motorway with windscreen wipers on full tilt in the pouring rain, the car holding her own in tricky driving conditions on the M4 and M25, Little Brighton Belle was more than doing alright. My father in a wave of nostalgia remembering our own Fiat 500 in the 1960’s and my Mother proclaiming cheerily that she could see a touch of blue sky through the sunroof… We began to really like our Fiat 500 with her bright red seats… And before we know it we’re in Brighton….

The Ship Hotel’s valet parking is delighted to see our minuscule car arrive at the cramped underground parking lot. Beanz (my real Brighton Belle) arrives with her overnight clothes, this Uni student is not about to give up the opportunity to stay in a comfy hotel bed whilst Mum is in town…. And we set off to explore the town, famous for it’s cute Laneways full of interesting shops and antique Jewelers.
We escape from the cold and drizzle into Bill’s, highly recommended for an afternoon tea….

The next day we’re off to the historic Royal Pavilion, built for Prince Regent, later King George IV. It is an impressive building looking Indian outside, feeling Chinese on the inside and full of opulence and excess. With the great audio guide you are transported back in time to gastronomic feasts & royal banquets: the Great kitchen dedicated to haute cuisine, balls and concerts in the Music Room….

As the day draws to a close, we are lucky to see an amazing sunset over the eerie burned out frame of the old Brighton West Pier….

Yes, this is a really cool place for a Uni student to hang out on exchange. Brighton seems to have it all – a great University, good shopping, history and a vibrant party scene, we know that because The Ship Hotel not only overlooks the seafront, but it also over looks the nightclub area and we know they have good parties as we heard them all leaving at 3am in the morning – Oh to be young!!!

Little Wandering Wren

Location:Brighton, Sussex, UK