GRUMPY SISTERS' INK

Relatively idle days in Brighton, scenic drives around the old haunts, shopping, visiting friends, walking well known streets. We visited Borde Hill Gardens, and saw and learnt new things...Himalayan poppies and paper handkerchief trees were new to me. Also a 'haha', a ditch dug across the bottom of the garden so that the cattle and peasants could pass across the estate without the gentry seeing them from the grand house.

A must-do was a walk at Cuckmere Haven, a favourite spot further along the Sussex coast. Krista came over. She and I have been friends for over 50 years. A blowy walk from the top of Seaford Head down past the coastguard cottages with stately Views to the even sisters, the chalk white cliffs that are completed by the far horizon of Beachy Head. Below us the Cuckmere River wandered through the flood plains to the sea. We followed the way up beside the river where it continued its path along the valley. It is a very peaceful spot.

We lunched at Litlington, a small cutsy village, where lay the Plough and Harrow pub. Once fed and watered we continued our meandering journey to Alfriston. Thence by car to collect Krista's car.Bob and Sheila returned home, and the three of us found coffee and cake along the coast before K dropped us back home and she herself headed west to her part if the world by the New Forest. The Sussex coast is amazing geologically with pockets of the most amazing countryside, but the coastal towns and villages are not always attractive and seem to be victims of poor 60''s housing schemes. The better villages are slightly inland, taking refuge for the modern age but hiding amongst the trees. Tuesday saw us back in Brighton and after a quick view through a couple of shops. W meet up with Sheila, had coffee and saw M off on a bus to visit an old friend. meanwhile twking advantage of time and weather we went off to visit the pier, a haunt job childhood and also where Peter worked when he first came over to the UK. Very busy for a weekday, but a nice enough day to see along the coast in bit he directions. Te wreck of the West Pier standing forlornly out to sea, more of a wreck this time than it was three years ago. The North Laines was where Peter spent time, so we wander through the narrow streets that ran up to Trafalgar Street and behind. These had been dingy back streets once upon a time, but nowadays lined with ethnic, eccentric and eclectic shops, peopled by people fitting the same descriptions! An afternoon well wandered with many nostalgic thoughts and memories.

The evening was spent with our niece and her new husband. Faith and Jo bought a shell of an old house some time ago and have spent time and energy making it their own. As soon as you walk in the door, you know it is a home, a warm fuzzy feeling. Holly the cat completed the picture. Will miss all my nieces, they are a special lot, not to mention their parents!!