Brighton Beach Memoirs, Day 2

Looking at the forecast, I knew the stunning weather we had on our first full day in Brighton could no last. Fortunately, though, for the most part we only had a slight drizzle. I was glad I packed my rain boots even though they are bulky and less comfortable than my regular walking shoes. My dry toes at the end of the night really appreciated them.

There is that notebook again

We returned to North Laine to look for breakfast, or rather lunch since we were running late. We ate a diner-like place with the charming name "Breakfast at Tiffany's." While I had an omelet, Don opted for a panini. 

As we are chatting about our plans for the day, a woman in her 70s walks in as if she owns the place. She greets the owner in Italian, wishing him a Happy New Year and says she is waiting for her friends to arrive. As they chat animatedly her friends arrive. I smile thinking of the ease of conversation. The way the person behind the counter came to life with her entrance. Turns out she has not been there in over a year and a half, or maybe a few years according to the youngsters she was with, but that is neither here nor there. Her friends are two recent graduates, perhaps fifty years her junior. My head makes up stories about them. She doesn't seem to be their relative, more like a mentor. How did they meet? Why do they gather at a small café?

Much of my trip was like this encounter. Being out of the United States I felt freer. I wanted to simply be and let my imagination wander. I could understand how Lewis Carroll felt inspired to write "Alice in Wonderland" while living in Brighton. Being in a country where people speak English certainly made eavesdropping easier.

Our plans for the day:

1) Anna's Museum

2) IKEA

3) Home Sense

4) Gelato Gusto

5) Royal Pavilion

Unlike the day before, we had 100% success.

Anna's Museum

Anna's Museum was exactly as Atlas Obscura described in 2017, a former shop window turned into a curated exhibit of oddities by a local youngster. Anna started collecting natural items found on walks when she was four. Her parents encouraged her natural curiosity. As word spread, people started sending her items to add to her collection. Their home used to be a store, giving a natural place to display items. A great example of parents encouraging their child. I wonder what path she is taking now that she is an adult.

My favorite exhibit were the
items related to women 
fighting for the right to vote

The window is the entire
museum

IKEA

This location opened only a month ago. Unlike the gigantic IKEAs we are used to visiting, this one is an anchor store in a mall in the city center. IKEAs tend to modify their menu based on local food. Outside Ottawa this meant the Swedish meatballs were served with poutine (yes, it was as horrible as it sounds). In Brighton, they are served with peas. We passed.

Also in the same mall was a LEGO store. Like IKEA, LEGO tends to modify their locations by adding a little bit of local flavor -- a model, sometimes special merchandise. The London store was a tourist destination.

Home Sense

Home Sense was across the street from the IKEA. It was a stop in my quest for the perfect tea pot, a quest that continues. I have a tea pot at home, but having tea served in a tea pot feels more relaxing than simply making a cup of tea. I need to save a spot in my suitcase big enough to fit a small two-cup tea pot. I left without a tea pot.

Gelato Gusto

Cuz recommended this as the best gelato in Brighton. They have two locations, one near where we were at the moment. After lunch at Foodilic, a restaurant filled with fresh vegetable entrees, we followed Google Maps to Gelato Gusto.

At Foodilic we were served by a 20-something Melbourne (Australia) man who settled in Brighton after traveling the world backpacking for two and a half years. His goal was to stay in each place for at least a month and really get to know the area. Along the way he met a man from Brighton who encouraged him to move there. He fell in love with the vibe, but not the grey weather. He continues to travel the world, so far he has been to 34 countries. When we mentioned New York was only an eight-hour flight away, his eyes lit up dreaming of a trip to the States. After all, compared with Australia, it is practically a weekend getaway. I would love to be a fly on the wall learning about his future adventures.

The food was heavy on vegetables. I had stuffed eggplant. Don had vegetable lasagna.

Gelato Gusto was on the corner, just as Google Maps said it would be. What Google Maps failed to mention is that they are in the process of rebranding and are now called Stone Ground Donuts, they still have gelato but are expanding the donut side of their business. We had a date, cinnamon, and caramel flavor paired with vegan dark chocolate that was outstanding, as well as unique. The small chain continues, but is no longer in Brighton.

Royal Pavilion

This top Brighton landmark deserves its own blogpost.

After touring the pavilion we wandered through Diagon Alley-like streets called The Lanes. On this dreary January day we had the streets to ourselves, but in the summer I suspect they are crammed with tourists and locals.

I treated myself to a raincoat I eyed up in Ghent, Belgium. It is a quilted rain coat perfect for Belgian and British weather. May it warm up again soon in New Jersey so I can wear it at home, too.

The rain stopped after dinner so Don and I went for a walk touching upon some of the places we visited earlier in the trip. Brighton is a place I want to visit again in all seasons. It really is as magical as promised.