Mon 30th May we follow the coast to Brighton. We travel through a few small villages and once away from the sea's edge we stop inland at Iklesham to visit our first UK car boot sale. There are many bargains to be had here - books, kid's toys, clothes, antiques, and lots of fresh strawberries. Max is not so keen so we don't stay long as I would like. A quick coffee break on Eastbourne's pier and we are then winding our way through pretty, green pastures and hills laced with mist. We find driving on narrow English country roads to be intense and tiring.

We are pleased to reach our destination - Brighton - but this is a holiday mecca for tourists and locals alike and is bumper-to-bumper busy along the shorefront. Our (bargain) hotel does not offer parking (groan). We find a parking building with a L20 fee for 24 hours.

We walk through crowded streets to find the Royal Pavilion - a lavish regency palace built by King George lV, who quite obviously enjoyed the good things in life including Indian architecture and Chinese decor. We listen to an audio as we walk from room to room but are both quite unprepared for the opulence of the Banqueting Room - its rich decor (colour, design and expense) so obviously designed to impress the king's guests.

The beautifully set table (ready for a king's feast) sits beneath an impressive light weighing one ton and hanging 30 ft from the mouth of an elaborate dragon at the ceiling. Each room stuns our senses in every way from the bold use of colour with elaborate paintings and embroidery textures to the intricate woodwork and plush carpets underfoot.

Late afternoon, a light misty rain showers us as we make our way through narrow cobbled walkways known as The Lanes - each strung with colourful bulbs and lined with eateries, boutique shops and pubs. We enjoy a Ploughman's Platter and try a plate of mini English pies. Mmmm, good!

Tues 31 May we are sooo..so lucky to get a parking voucher for 75% off and it only costs L5 for the night. We are also pleased to see the rear end of Brighton, bulging with people and cars, and head for Netley Abbey.

The abbey is the most complete surviving Cisterian monestry in southern England and sits in a peaceful clearing surrounded by tall whispering trees. Towering walls watch over us as we wander from each grassy room to another taking in its majestic oldness. 

The monestry was eventually converted into the mansion house of Sir William Paulet, then eventually deserted. These slowly crumbling 13th century stone monastic walls and archways were once inspirational muse to many a historical writer, artist and poet, and were affectionately known as the 'romantic ruins'.

Max amongst the 'romantic ruins'

We continue on to Bournemouth, where we stay overnight at Meyrick Park Lodge & Golfcourse. After the busy-ness of Brighton, we enjoy peaceful park-like surroundings and a swim before dinner! Bliss.