Monday 21 March 2022

The Street.


There are 17 houses in our street. On average I would say that there are two people to each house (they're very small houses); that makes aprox 35 residents. There are no children in the street, and only two dogs. How many cats there are, I'm not sure; but I would guess about 6, along with a fox or two.

All the houses have parking, but some have more than others. Some have off street parking spaces, and others (like us) have separate garages. There is just one communal parking space for visitors, which is rarely used.

We have a communal private garden, which is situated behind the first five houses on the left (the home of the Black Car Club). This has a locked gate to which we all have a key, and is surrounded by tall hedges and fencing; it is VERY private. We hardly ever go there. We also have more formal open gardens that are looked after by a gardener. He does a good job, and they are very well kempt.


If I told you that the street runs parallel to Brighton's busiest road; you may not believe me. I took the above photo on a Saturday afternoon, in beautiful sunshine, whilst just a short distance away, great hoards of people from the London trains were coming from the station, and heading for town or beach. Our little street remained totally calm and quiet.


Our particular house has a through sitting room/dining room/kitchen, with a tiny patio at the rear, which is reached by newly installed sliding doors. Upstairs there are just two bedrooms and a bathroom. It is all very compact and bijou. Perfect for two, and the occasional visitor. Our maximum has been six.

I really like this little house, it's perfect for our 'old age'. It's a rather strange 1960's build, and not at all the type of development I would have imagined liking. All the best shops are within easy reach, London is 50 mins away by train, and Gatwick airport is about 25 miles away. The Ferry port of Newhaven is 20 minutes from our front door.

Brighton has the reputation for being a bit eccentric, and I must say that the reputation is merited. One sees more of the wackier side of life here than almost anywhere else in the UK. It is simply a part of daily life, and always has been. I suppose they are attracted by the relaxed bohemian atmosphere, and it makes Brighton a wonderful place to live. People are extremely friendly.

The bad bits? Well, such a town obviously attracts rough-sleepers, smack-heads, and all those who'd rather spend their time in a pleasant environment rather than somewhere less salubrious. And who could blame them. There is far too much traffic, occasional football hooliganism, and thieving Seagulls, but you can't have it all.


23 comments:

  1. It does look nice and quiet. My own street was when I first moved in but as time passed, many drivers in a hurry to get to work would come off the freeway top end into my street and zip along faster than on the main road and be able to miss the lights at the intersection too. Then it also became a parking place for those who travel to the city by bus and come back for their cars at the end of the day. It's only mildly annoying. I like the sound of your house, two up-two down, plus kitchen and bath. I'd be happy in one of those.

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    1. It suits us fine, but the best bit (after France) is the friendliness of people. What a change!

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  2. All towns and cities have rough sleepers and smack heads as you put it. There is nothing unique about Brighton in this respect.

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    1. I think a lot of them come here because it's a nice place to be. I'm sure we have more than our fair share.

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  3. My experience of Brighton dates from the 1960's, and then it was considered as a bit raffish (think mods and rockers fighting on the seafront) compared to the more genteel Hove next door

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    1. Brighton is not for those who want a quiet boring life; they tend to go to Worthing or Eastbourne. It's lively, fun, and often quite naughty. That's why we love it.

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  4. How lucky you are to live such a good life. The street and apartment look great and Billy also adds a lot to the atmosphere.

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    1. We're just back from our early morning walk (6.35am) and about four people said 'good morning' to us. What a very friendly place this is.

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  5. Thats a nice little street, quiet and clean, and a cosy home. As you have the variety of Brighton so close, your gardens and your Billy you must be feeling very contented back in Blighty.

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    1. We really are. It may not be a classic 200 year old cottage, but it's very comfortable.

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  6. A good option for an oldie!

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    1. It even has a downstairs outside loo. Very strange in these more enlightened days.

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  7. Mothering Sunday originally was the one day a year that serving girls were allowed the day off to visit their mothers.

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    1. We've come a long way since then; thank goodness.

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  8. After all those peaceful years in France, it's splendid that you are truly relishing your new life in Brighton. Having been away for so long perhaps you see its assets more clearly than those who never left.

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    1. I'm sure that's the case. Also we've left our other home which in recent years has become rather uncouth. The change was extremely refreshing.

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  9. It is so good that are happy to be where you are and enjoying the change. It seems that a sort of forced return has had a very happy outcome.

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    1. Yes, more so than we'd ever imagined. We feel like we've come home.

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  10. Your new Brighton life and home really is quite perfect in every way. It seems meant to be.

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    1. It's a very different life, but better in most ways.

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