Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

I'm back from a long weekend in Brighton, UK.  I'd like to say it was purely a happy, weekend jaunt, but unfortunately most of the weekend I was stuck in a fairly run-down Hotel for a conference.  Nevermind, the weather wasn't particularly inviting outside anyway - english summer at it's best!  When I did manage to get out between the rain showers I was a little disappointed with what Brighton had on offer.  I'd heard such good things about it's fantastic 'vibe' and that it was the next 'up-and-coming' spot in England.  Well, it all seemed a little run down and shabby to me.  And quite dirty too.  And crowded. The best part was my friend Clare (a real friend, not an imaginary doppelganger) came down on Saturday afternoon from London.  We spent four hours talking and walking before she hopped back on the train again.  So busy talking I forgot to get the camera out after taking this photo of Brighton Station before she arrived.