Brighton 2015...

Not since Darling Gran died have we been to what used to be our annual trip out to Brighton on New Years Day.

This year though we managed it!  

Bob and I had both been given a bit of money for our Christmas gifts from parents and we pooled that together to give us a day out.

2015 saw us 3 short with the kiddos, the older 3 having partied New Years Eve and taking the chance for a lay in with peace and quiet at home.

I can't tell you how much I LOVE this trip to Brighton!

It literally BLOWS the cobwebs from my brain, the post Christmas fog lifts and I'm ready to face a new year.

The sea was amazing this year, WILD and STORMY.  

We couldn't hear ourselves talk over the waves crashing onto the pebble beach 

and we  half shouted/half laughed at each other.

It was COLD, so cold our hands were red from the wet pebbles we throw back to the sea.

Too cold for RV to hang around for a photo with Dad.

RV found this chalk that had been bashed about

He also managed to lose his footing on the shingle but thankfully didn't get wet

As mad as hatters all of them

My Christmas Boots!

We treated ourselves to a BIG OL BURGER for Ed's Diner

We found Choccy Woccy Doo Dah

but sadly it was closed

A gigantic Christmas Bear outside a restaurant that scared the life out of Loopy when it started to sing and move!

And as is our tradition we finished a day out on the pier

  

Bring it on 2015!

2014...

I've been enjoying the 2013 recap posts this past couple of days.

Snuggled on the sofa, listening to the wind and rain clatter down, it's been lovely to see how busy everyone has been...and the photo's are simply candy for the eyes as well as the crafty soul!

But I've made a choice to not look back, to not recap.

Instead I'm putting my head down and ploughing firmly into 2014.

To my family, I love you more today than yesterday and I'm looking forward to loving you all more tomorow!

...But you should by now all know this...

To my sister and niece I love you both as much as I love my own.  There will be tough times this year, but know that I am here I am there with you.

...I don't think I need to say this but I do need you to hear it...

To Gran, you would be so very proud of this family of mine.

...I try to do you proud as often as I can...

To myself, get a grip.  

Stop wishing things could be as they once were, they're not and never will be again but what you do have is what you have. 

To any passing through this little blog...I wish you all the best for 2014

***

Spinning Carousel...

I spotted the first Christmas 'tat' in the supermarket earlier this week!

September isn't done already and there it was, 

pushing it's way through, elbowing Halloween & Guy Fawkes Night and trampling over the Rememberance Day poppies.

OK not literally but that's how it feels.

We have lovely festivals to share and celebrate; I feel a bit sad when large retailers seem to pressure us into one-up-man-ship that Christmas is the be all and end all.

What's that? Did you ask am I anti Christmas?  Well heck no!!

I just want to enjoy the year at my pace and enjoy ALL the festivals;

I'd like to give thanks to Mother Nature for the harvest and offer enough to the Harvest Festival to give a meal,

Spend time with my family remembering love ones past on Day of the Dead, sharing food, light, laughter and love,

Enjoy a freezing BBQ with sparklers flashing and fireworks popping, reminding the children of the story of Guy Fawkes,

Remembering those who gave their lives so willingly fighting for our freedom, we'll wear our poppies with HUGE pride and gratitude

Battening down the hatches, decorating our home with love,

decorating our tree, sharing a meal, sharing love and laughter and yes sharing presents

Snuggling in till New Years Day and our trip to the seaside to blow out the old year and start 2013.

Sometimes I need to remind myself to step off the carousel, stop and inhale all that I have already and simply enjoy.  

Close my eyes to the outside world.

Brighton 2012

So we left in fine dry weather, the kiddos reluctantly put their coats in the car and wellies on...but the weather man was right it was going to be a WET day!

We spent a bit more time than before in the shops and I did make my annual trip to Cath Kidston 

but despite the wind whipping in from the sea making the rain sting we still braved the pier.

The rides were just too wet this year to go on though

Thankfully there is a little indoor arcade...honestly not my favourite place to be...too noisey with too many flashy things but it gave us a break from the rain!

The rain made for some sparly photos though

however Fonzy was not amused to be stuck in the pusher...his wasn't strapped in but was just too cold and wet to walk for long

As I'd promised Fonzy that we would throw stones into the sea we braved the cold wind and rain and diverted to the beach on the way back to the car

Fonzy managed to throw 1 stone into the sea before he shot off back up the beach...the noise of the waves crashing in and the driving rain were just beyond his bravery limits

The walk back to the car was as always nice...we take a wander through the lanes 

and this year we found a little tiny square with the prettiest lights and statue

It wasn't the best ever New Years Day trip, certainly the wettest we were all soaked to the skin, (the kiddos needing to change into the spares we take in case) but non the less we had a good day.  It will be remembered that's for sure!

And one things for sure it definately blew the cobwebs out!!

***

Out with the old and in with the new.

What lies ahead of us? Who knows!

I wanted to have words of wisdom today but there are non, my little brain is quite frazzled and in need of our trip to Brighton tomorrow to clear the cobwebs.

Ice cold sea breeze, I can almost taste the salt in the air just thinking about it!

To those who pop by to see us I wish you a joyful 2012.

Thank you for popping by and hoping to 'see' you again...

***

Brighton 2011...

After several attempts to rein us together my sis managed to get a (almost) family shot.  We were 2 short for our annual trip to Brighton this year.  The 2 oldest ones have discovered New Years Eves parties and now have a taste for a lie in after a late night so missed the trip this year.  We did however 'gain' my sister, her daughter & her boyfriend!

It was the mildest day we've spent there to date...seriously it may have been Jan 1st but we were genuinely warm & toasty - at least till the sun went down anyway!

It may sound dull to many but our day out consists mainly of a couple of hours on the beach throwing stones!  Obviously we have to fill our wellies with water, go through the emptying of them, the squelchy socks and although we didn't have to this year we have on many times had to change wet clothes as well. 

And as my sis was with us we have a very rare photo of the two of us together

Fonzy was excited by the sea, although a bit unsure.  He was fine & dandy till a slightly large & cheeky wave went over his (& my) wellies.  After that he was happy to throw the stones but was definately keeping an eye on the sea

You cant have a seaside trip post without a picture of the pebbles so here they are

And of course what better way to wound the day off & warm us up than the rides on the pier! 

We had a wonderful day, I 'think' I would like to have a trip to Brighton to take a wander around the shops as there are some truly gorgeous looking ones down there.  But I worry I might be disappointed as the winter days out are the best - we dont shop just spend good time together.

We'll see, its a family tradition that started when our friends were going out New Years Eve & partying and we were at home. Our priorities had changed.