Phoney Summer in Brighton

You could be forgiven for thinking that summer had arrived. It was 35 degrees in my conservatory today (that's 86 Farenheit) and it seemed as hot in the car, driving into Brighton. However, once out of the car, the strong chilly wind blowing off the English Channel reduced the temperatures to a much more modest 15 (59) and it felt even cooler than that.

Brighton Festival is in full swing and I passed what is grandly called 'Fringe City' on the way to the beach.

There were the usual buskers and entertainers but the one that caught my eye was the balloon blower who, with a couple of ropes and a perfectly-timed swing, was creating huge multicoloured bubbles from a bucket of suds.

 The kids were delighted, chasing the bubbles and trying to burst them. A simple idea - but so much fun!

A few streets away is an interesting sight - almost 200 old sewing machines in the window displays of this clothing shop - wow!

Closer to the beach the restaurants were doing good business, lots of tables and chairs on the pavements.

This particular spot is popular with hawkers and entrepreneurs of various kinds; jewellery and necklace sellers, bag vendors, masseurs, eyebrow pluckers and tarot readers like the lady below.

Just off the beach, at Madeira Drive, is the object of my curiosity, the mini cars that have arrived from London following the 30th annual London to Brighton Mini Run. The event attracts owners from all over the world and about 2,500 minis make the 55-mile run from Crystal Palace Park in London to Brighton's Madeira Drive. When I arrived there were still several dozen cars parked there.

I'd quite forgotten how small the original minis designed by Alec Issnigonis and produced between the years 1959 and 2000 were. Look at the contrast between this spectator and the almost-toy car he is viewing - I don't think he would have been very comfortable in it!

 
For grease-monkeys there were plenty of engines to inspect...

...and spares to buy.

I followed the sound of drumming to the promenade and found an energetic group of dancers performing to the percussive pounding of an African drum. Their energy, acrobatics and good humour was well rewarded in donations. And it was a great way of keeping warm!

The fish 'n' chip and ice cream sellers were busy and further along the promenade more sedate games of crazy golf were underway in that most traditional of seaside pastimes...

 
In fact, probably the only more traditional pastime than eating is fish 'n' chips at the seaside during the Phoney Summer season is lying, fully clothed, on the uncomfortable pebbly beach, shivering slightly and wondering whether the exposed parts will get a tan or chilblains...

Hurry up Real Summer!