The weekend started early for Roy and I as Big Kenny and Tricia had invited themselves down for the Thursday night, to break up their journey to Brighton. With the usual “womanly” panic I had the house ready and we awaited their arrival. It should have been between 5 00pm and 6.00pm but by 7.45 they had not arrived so we were beginning to panic, checking the AA Road watch and even ring Mike Embling to see whether we had the plan of action wrong, and Kenny had gone straight to them. We had also booked a table at the local pub and so rung them to ask them to hold fire. Thank goodness, they both arrived safely at 8.00pm after leaving Fife at 3.20

We threw them upstairs to get changed, Kenny slipped on the stairs coming down and damaged his toe, which went very black over the weekend, as we all kept hearing about but Roy and I refused to take the blame. He should have put the lights on; perhaps they do not have electric light yet in Fife? After a very nice late meal at the Grove, we all went to bed (not together) as Roy had an H & S exam to sit the next morning.

Next morning Kenny and Tricia left for Mike and Jan’s, where they were also meeting up with Nigel and Lynne, for a gentle bimble along B roads through the countryside to Brighton

Also leaving that morning, from up North were, Ian, Denise, Alan and Helen. Ian had planned a route weaving it’s way through the beautiful Kent and Sussex countryside, passing near my home town of “Royal Tunbridge Wells”.

After Roy had sat his H & S exam we jumped on Snowy and flew down the motorway along with hundreds of others trying to get away or home for the weekend. We arrived with half an hour to spare before dinner, by this time everyone was there, including Jim, Ally, Craig and Lynn from Wales and to our very pleasant surprise Mark and Pam. We thought they were just joining us for the meal but Pam had booked for the weekend, the hotel did try to charge her £1000 per night but she explained (tactfully) she was only staying for two nights and had no intention of buying the hotel!!!,

We all sat down at a long table and soon there was the usual banter and wild stories. We were being joined for the weekend by Faye (Ian and Denise’s daughter) and her boss Giovanni who was doing a crash course on English in Canterbury and was hoping a weekend with Elite Wings would improve his English??? No hope!!! With all the different accents he must have been very confused, but he joined in with all the humour although I am not 100% sure he really understood. Ally the camera queen was busy snapping everyone.

After dinner, which was surprising good, Roy arranged for a room where we could have a quick chat about the future of Elite Wings, as we sat around in a circle Nigel thought it was a AA meeting and immediately confessed to be an alcoholic!!!

We have come up with a short term plan, which Ian will notify everyone in the very near future.

Next morning after breakfast, Roy, Craig and Jim moved the bikes so that we were sharing a space, which would reduce the parking costs. We split up into groups to explore the Regency Town of Brighton.

There was a stiff breeze blowing as we made our way down the prom, bent forward so we did not get blown over. Brighton sea front was only just beginning to wake up as the coffee bar owners sleepily arranged the tables and chairs in the bright but chilly sunshine.

Helen and Alan soon caught us up as we neared the Pier with its flashing lights and revolving funfair rides. Alan was like a little child and wanted to ride on everything, the Wild Mouse, the Large swingy thing that took you out over the sea (it was closed because the wind was too strong), we patiently watched him on the rides, like weary parents only waving when he shot past.

Denise plucked up courage and went on the Waltzer within him and soon they were crushed together by the force of the machine. By this time Roy wanted to play on something so we all got on the dolphin race ride where you have to roll balls up to make the dolphins move, Giovanni was a star at this and won a cuddly dolphin and then in the next race Helen also won a cuddly dolphin. Roy was sulking!!!! So we had a go on the coconut shy, Roy won, kicking footballs through a hoop, Roy won twice and throwing to knock the cans down, Roy won again so he was happy!!!.

Ian Denise, Giovanni and Faye went off to have high tea at the Grand, now that’s posh, finger sandwiches and slices of cake. Helen wanted to sit people watching, Alan visited the famous Pavilion. Roy and I went to explore the “Lanes”.

Jim, Ally, Craig and Lynne walked miles, completely missed the famous “Lanes” but found a large shopping Mall where they spent the day and money in the Next sale!!. Nigel and Lynne walked up to the new marina and found expensive yachts, coffee shops, boutiques plus shelter from the wind, Nigel’s forehead was really burnt by the sun and he had a glow about him for the rest of the weekend.

Mike, Jan, Kenny, Tricia, Mark and Pam found the “Lanes” first where they spent the time browsing the many jewellery shops. Jan saw a thumb ring she want and using all her retail therapy skills, managed to haggle the man down to a respectable price. After cruising the “Lanes” they also ventured of to the pier and the amusements.

There was no dinner at the Hotel that night so rather than try and find somewhere to sit 20 odd (?) people we decided to do our own thing. The hotel is ideally situated near a street full of restaurants so a group decide to go to the Chinese, which left Roy and I on our own so we decided to have a quiet romantic meal in a Steak restaurant recommend by one of the shopkeepers we had met in the “Lanes”. There we were gentle music, candles quietly enjoying our meal when we looked up and saw eight faces stuck against the window, our peace was shattered. In walked Kenny Tricia, Mike, Jan, Nigel, Lynne, Mark and Pam they had come to join us, everyone was in the Chinese.!! We had a brilliant evening with wine, champagne and beautiful lush steaks and most of all loads of laughs.

On the way home we past a club with girls beating a chap on his bare bottom, but we dragged the men past, it was not suitable for us ladies!!! Well it is Brighton and any thing goes

Next morning it was a late breakfast and time to go home. We all set off (except Nigel and Lynne who were having an even later breakfast) to ride down the prom in a colourful procession, Faye and Giovanni regally waved us good bye, I am not sure how much English he managed learn but he did say he had enjoyed himself, what tales he will have to tell when he get back to Italy.

As we made our way up country we slowly peeled off to go our separate ways.

We all agreed it was a really relaxing weekend and Roy and I would like to thank everyone for joining us

By the way why is it called “Brighton 2008 or the weekend Mike got lucky!!!!

Well, poor ole Mike got P***D on twice in one day, right on the top of his head by the pigeons and sea gulls swooping about!!! Now that is really lucky!!