This is Brighton from Caleb Yule on Vimeo.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Bus Encounters
Since we spend part of almost every day on the bus, we do see some interesting things. The outlandish outfits and various wild hair colors don’t even register anymore. After all, this is a university town.
A few days ago as we boarded a bus after leaving FHE we were in the company of some animals. There was a dalmatian, a tiger and some other costume and Halloween has long since passed. Then there was the cross-dressing bus driver wearing a mini-skirt and high heels. On another occasion we saw “Klinger” waiting at the bus stop complete with the nose and lovely pink outfit.
The one that takes the cake happened a few days ago and I got a little bit of video. A woman of indeterminate age who wears a different color wig every time we see her was suddenly being berated by a man. He had jumped up and walked over to yell at her and shake his finger in her face. She hollered back at the top of her lungs till the bus driver walked back and told them to be quiet or leave the bus. The man sat down while the woman in a quieter voice told him he is sick and needs help. They obviously have quarreled before.
They got off at the same stop and as she was on the threshold she started yelling again like so:
A few days ago as we boarded a bus after leaving FHE we were in the company of some animals. There was a dalmatian, a tiger and some other costume and Halloween has long since passed. Then there was the cross-dressing bus driver wearing a mini-skirt and high heels. On another occasion we saw “Klinger” waiting at the bus stop complete with the nose and lovely pink outfit.
The one that takes the cake happened a few days ago and I got a little bit of video. A woman of indeterminate age who wears a different color wig every time we see her was suddenly being berated by a man. He had jumped up and walked over to yell at her and shake his finger in her face. She hollered back at the top of her lungs till the bus driver walked back and told them to be quiet or leave the bus. The man sat down while the woman in a quieter voice told him he is sick and needs help. They obviously have quarreled before.
They got off at the same stop and as she was on the threshold she started yelling again like so:
Friday, January 27, 2012
Food Critics!
The activity after Family Home Evening last Monday was a dessert-making competition. We and another couple were the judges who got to sample the creative efforts of the two teams.
Vincent made sure the ingredients were safe to eat by sampling most everything.
They put a lot of effort into making them beautiful as well as delicious.
Tim's was the cutest with a smilie face.
It was fun but we're sure glad we don't have to do that every week.
Vincent made sure the ingredients were safe to eat by sampling most everything.
They put a lot of effort into making them beautiful as well as delicious.
Tim's was the cutest with a smilie face.
It was fun but we're sure glad we don't have to do that every week.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A Day in the Life...January 16, 2012
Yesterday dawned clear and sunny so we took the opportunity to wash our sheets and hang them on the line outside.
Bourne Court--home sweet home!
After the usual morning routine of breakfast and scripture reading, we took a bus to Woodingdean which borders part of the South Downs, a national park. To me, the South Downs are just rolling green hills. There’s nothing special that would merit being a national park except that they have been preserved from development and make a lovely backdrop to Brighton and the other cities along the coast.
The path was pleasant to walk on since it was not muddy, being composed of the local rocks made of chalk and flint. (remember to click on photos to make them larger)
Woodingdean is the highest part of Brighton and has views of the sea to the south and views of the downs to the north. And Brighton, of course.
We think the crops being raised are turnips to be used for cattle feed. This is about where I lost my glove. But I found it on the way back. :-)
As we were walking back we saw traffic stopped to let a flock of sheep cross. Soon we could see that they were in the area we needed to cross.
It was fun to see the sheep dogs doing their job. Before long the herd was on it’s way and we continued back to where we could catch the bus.
Every Monday is the YSA Family Home Evening held at the centre which we attend as their surrogate grandparents or whatever we are. Since the sun goes down at 4:30 this time of year we travel in the dark. Bill waits at the bus stop across from our building.
Getting to the church is a two bus process. This is where we catch the second one.
My courteous husband opens the door of the church for me.
Everyone donates £1 for the meal that is served. The YSA council do a good job of the cooking. Tonight it was chili con carne on rice. The smaller pot holds the vegetarian version. We have a fair number of vegetarians in England, especially in Brighton.
Afterwards the activity was “Choc and Chat” which when they were first planning it I thought they were saying chalk not choc as in chocolate. It’s an activity they copied from the Relief Society and it turned out to be the best FHE we’ve attended yet.
We gathered in the centre, all of us with our hot chocolate and one by one shared an inspirational story, scripture or music. One returned missionary shared a song that was written by a companion featuring the words of Elder Wirthlin’s talk, “Come What May and Love It.” A young man who has been one to push boundaries played some lovely music from Dexter called “Astor’s Birthday Party.” I don’t see it on iTunes, oh well.
Elder Parrett quoted a poem that he had memorized called “The Hammer” by Carl Sandburg.
I have seen
The old gods go
And the new gods come.
Day by day
And year by year
The idols fall
And the idols rise.
Today
I worship the hammer.
His point being to watch what “gods” we allow into our lives.
Sharlene caught me taking her photo.
Sister Parrett shared a quote from President Kimball: “...if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended. Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death, and if these were not, there would also be no joy, success, resurrection, nor eternal life and godhood.”
There was a wonderful spirit present and it seemed nobody wanted to leave when it was over.
Bourne Court--home sweet home!
After the usual morning routine of breakfast and scripture reading, we took a bus to Woodingdean which borders part of the South Downs, a national park. To me, the South Downs are just rolling green hills. There’s nothing special that would merit being a national park except that they have been preserved from development and make a lovely backdrop to Brighton and the other cities along the coast.
The path was pleasant to walk on since it was not muddy, being composed of the local rocks made of chalk and flint. (remember to click on photos to make them larger)
Woodingdean is the highest part of Brighton and has views of the sea to the south and views of the downs to the north. And Brighton, of course.
We think the crops being raised are turnips to be used for cattle feed. This is about where I lost my glove. But I found it on the way back. :-)
As we were walking back we saw traffic stopped to let a flock of sheep cross. Soon we could see that they were in the area we needed to cross.
It was fun to see the sheep dogs doing their job. Before long the herd was on it’s way and we continued back to where we could catch the bus.
Every Monday is the YSA Family Home Evening held at the centre which we attend as their surrogate grandparents or whatever we are. Since the sun goes down at 4:30 this time of year we travel in the dark. Bill waits at the bus stop across from our building.
Getting to the church is a two bus process. This is where we catch the second one.
My courteous husband opens the door of the church for me.
Everyone donates £1 for the meal that is served. The YSA council do a good job of the cooking. Tonight it was chili con carne on rice. The smaller pot holds the vegetarian version. We have a fair number of vegetarians in England, especially in Brighton.
Afterwards the activity was “Choc and Chat” which when they were first planning it I thought they were saying chalk not choc as in chocolate. It’s an activity they copied from the Relief Society and it turned out to be the best FHE we’ve attended yet.
We gathered in the centre, all of us with our hot chocolate and one by one shared an inspirational story, scripture or music. One returned missionary shared a song that was written by a companion featuring the words of Elder Wirthlin’s talk, “Come What May and Love It.” A young man who has been one to push boundaries played some lovely music from Dexter called “Astor’s Birthday Party.” I don’t see it on iTunes, oh well.
Elder Parrett quoted a poem that he had memorized called “The Hammer” by Carl Sandburg.
I have seen
The old gods go
And the new gods come.
Day by day
And year by year
The idols fall
And the idols rise.
Today
I worship the hammer.
His point being to watch what “gods” we allow into our lives.
Sharlene caught me taking her photo.
Sister Parrett shared a quote from President Kimball: “...if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended. Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death, and if these were not, there would also be no joy, success, resurrection, nor eternal life and godhood.”
There was a wonderful spirit present and it seemed nobody wanted to leave when it was over.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Susie's New Years Visit--Trip to London
We traveled on the train to London with Susie and James to help with kids and luggage and also to postpone the inevitable goodbyes.
Nora looked for sheep in the fields but somehow there never were any. But it helped pass the time for her on the one hour Brighton to London trip.
After exiting at Victoria Station we took two subways to world famous Harrod's Department Store. It's a retail experience like no other!
The store occupies a 5-acre site and has over one million square feet of selling space in over 330 departments.
Mr. Al Fayed has maintained the beautiful memorial to Diana and his son, Dodi, which he created shortly after their deaths.
We ate lunch at one of the many restaurants at Harrod's, this one themed for children. Colin slept on and on.
Now Colin is ready for some food and Nora needs a hug.
Then it was time to retreive the luggage that was checked and enter the subway again this time headed to Heathrow Airport. After we were part way there, an announcement came on saying there were trees on the tracks so the "tube" would not be going all the way to the airport. At that point we got off and they hailed a taxi and we quickly bid them farewell. :-(
Nora looked for sheep in the fields but somehow there never were any. But it helped pass the time for her on the one hour Brighton to London trip.
After exiting at Victoria Station we took two subways to world famous Harrod's Department Store. It's a retail experience like no other!
The store occupies a 5-acre site and has over one million square feet of selling space in over 330 departments.
Mr. Al Fayed has maintained the beautiful memorial to Diana and his son, Dodi, which he created shortly after their deaths.
We ate lunch at one of the many restaurants at Harrod's, this one themed for children. Colin slept on and on.
Now Colin is ready for some food and Nora needs a hug.
Then it was time to retreive the luggage that was checked and enter the subway again this time headed to Heathrow Airport. After we were part way there, an announcement came on saying there were trees on the tracks so the "tube" would not be going all the way to the airport. At that point we got off and they hailed a taxi and we quickly bid them farewell. :-(
Susie's New Years Visit--Hanging out at the Flat
We were delighted to host Susie and James and Nora and Colin for a few days. Our little flat was bursting at the seams with activity (and laundry).
Colin enjoyed the toys we had borrowed for the visit. He loves trains and liked seeing the trains and buses around here.
So cute!
Nora and I had a good time making sugar cookies. She enthusiastically used the little rolling pin I had bought for her, then carefully added sprinkles and frosting.
The results were popular with the family even if they were round. I couldn't locate any cookie cutters so we made do with what was in the kitchen.
Colin and Nora slept in our livingroom, which meant we had to go to bed too.
One afternoon we took them to the pier and walked around in the rain. We were soon cold and wet so a stop at a restaurant for fish and chips seemed like a good option. James had been wanting to have real English Fish and chips and this was his chance.
We assured them that we do have sunshine and it's not always cold and miserable. But dark, cold and wet is what they will remember, I'm afraid. ;-)
Colin enjoyed the toys we had borrowed for the visit. He loves trains and liked seeing the trains and buses around here.
So cute!
Nora and I had a good time making sugar cookies. She enthusiastically used the little rolling pin I had bought for her, then carefully added sprinkles and frosting.
The results were popular with the family even if they were round. I couldn't locate any cookie cutters so we made do with what was in the kitchen.
Colin and Nora slept in our livingroom, which meant we had to go to bed too.
One afternoon we took them to the pier and walked around in the rain. We were soon cold and wet so a stop at a restaurant for fish and chips seemed like a good option. James had been wanting to have real English Fish and chips and this was his chance.
We assured them that we do have sunshine and it's not always cold and miserable. But dark, cold and wet is what they will remember, I'm afraid. ;-)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Susie's New Years Visit--Trip to Lewes
We have been looking forward to Susie and James' visit for a long time. One of our activities was to visit Lewes to see the castle and just poke around a very old village.
We knew of a good place for lunch, named Bill's so we headed there first.
Nora and James discuss the menu at Bill's Restaurant
Susie waiting for her dessert.
Scones with clotted cream--yum!
Bill helps Nora finish off the last of someone's rich dessert.
Next was to see the castle. After we paid our money they said to hurry because it closes in 30 minutes. We had to speed read the signs.
Castle Gate
Lewes from the top of the castle
Nora hiding in the alcove where the archers could shoot while being protected.
We were treated to a beautiful sunset.
We knew of a good place for lunch, named Bill's so we headed there first.
Nora and James discuss the menu at Bill's Restaurant
Susie waiting for her dessert.
Scones with clotted cream--yum!
Bill helps Nora finish off the last of someone's rich dessert.
Next was to see the castle. After we paid our money they said to hurry because it closes in 30 minutes. We had to speed read the signs.
Castle Gate
Lewes from the top of the castle
Nora hiding in the alcove where the archers could shoot while being protected.
We were treated to a beautiful sunset.