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Brighton Pavilion Dining Room

This is the main dining room in the Brighton Pavilion. The Pavilion was built for the Prince Regent, who became George IV after the death of his father, George III, often referred as the Mad King (what what!).

The Prince Regent was overly fascinated by China, so he had the Pavilion built in the late eighteen and into the nineteenth centuries. It was his retreat and he spent a lot of time there. When he died, however, it fell into disrepair. Queen Victoria didn't like the Pavilion, wishing it to be demolished. However, she relented and sold it to the Brighton Corporation, now the Brighton Council. Still, it was neglected, and has only received good treatment in the latter half of the twentieth century onwards.

Anyway, this was the dining room where the Prince Regent/King George IV held many of this banquets.

As you can see, he spared no expense. Such excess makes you wonder what the ordinary people at that time had to look forward to. Certainly not cake...

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Duck

Photo of a duck just outside Tilgate Nature Centre in Crawley, West Sussex.

Yes, a free duck. There's some water outside the centre where the animals can feel lucky that they're not on the other side of the fence.

Quack! 🦆

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European Badger

A month or so ago, I went to the British Wildlife Centre in Lingfield, Surrey, UK. I took a few photos there, the fox that's already up on DA being one of them. Anyway, to get to the point, this is a photo I took of a European badger.

They're members of the Mustelidae family, alongside weasels, otters, stoats, ferrets, etc. They're burrowing animals who tend to go out at night, so their ventures out in the daylight isn't as common as their nocturnal habits. However, I was lucky enough to see one that was up and about in the sun sniffing around.

I like that I got a shot with its mouth open.

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Muppet Doll at Brighton Museum

This muppet styled doll was part of an exhibition at Brighton Museum called Queer the Pier, dedicated to the local LGBTIQA+ history in the Brighton and Hove area.

"Celebrating the lives of the writers, artists, performers, activists and ordinary people who have made Brighton & Hove so fabulous, their stories are brought to life with film and photography, fashion and drag and oral histories." (quote from https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/event/queer-the-pier/ )

The museum itself was very interesting, dealing with a lot of art history in the area and beyond, as well as the general history you'd expect at museums. However, this muppet styled doll made me laugh, putting a smile to my face, as it's so expressive, colourful and cheerful, and just stood out.

Anyway, the exhibition is still on if anyone is interested in visiting Brighton and its museums. Maybe wait for a day when it's not pissing with rain as it currently is outside my window… :D

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Purple Hollyhock

This photo of a purple hollyhock was taken at the Worthing Museum's garden. The colour looks so regal.

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Free as a Bird

I went to Worthing, West Sussex, last Saturday to revisit its museum and also go along its beach and pier. While at the pier, there were quite a few gulls about, and crows, trying their luck getting food off those on the pier. Unlucky for them I just had my phone, which isn't edible. ;)

Anyway, I took this shot of a gull soaring above the pier, with the Worthing beach in the background. In the far distance, you can just about make out Brighton and beyond (you'll have to zoom in and you'll see some pixels that aren't sky, sea or mere land :D).

I really like the shot, as it shows off the free spirit that birds represent.

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Lewes Castle Barbican Gate

Here is the barbican gate of Lewes Castle in East Sussex, UK.

This castle was built shortly after William the Conqueror took control of England in the eleventh century. However, this barbican gate was built in the fourteenth century. The castle is unusual for having two mottes, with only Lincoln Castle having a similar design in England.

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Geranium Flower

This is a photograph of a geranium flower that I took last Sunday in the grounds of Lewes Castle, in East Sussex. I like the veins that map the petals, which gives added interest.

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The Three Amigos

I went to Brighton a week ago to see its museum again, but while there I noticed in the Old Steine area a sort of ornamental pool where the gulls were enjoying themselves in its water. These three were standing on the side of the pool, most likely waiting for any food opportunity to present itself, as gulls are wont to do.

I like how the composition works well on this one, with all three birds staring intently in the same direction, as if planning something.

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Tapestry at St Augustine's Church in Scaynes Hill

I was in the village of Scaynes Hill in West Sussex a few weeks ago, and took a photograph of the village church, St Augustine's. I was kindly invited in to see the inside of the church by someone there who saw me take the photo. They particularly told me about the tapestry that was in there, so here it is in all its glory.

I'm not religious, in fact I'm a non-believer, but churches do have some lovely art in them and should be appreciated as such. St Augustine's Church's tapestry is a good example of that.

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Opium Poppy

I went to Brighton Museum last Saturday, and while going there I came across this opium poppy flower being grown in the gardens of the Brighton Pavilion next door. Really lovely looking flower. You don't have to be high to be enticed by its beauty. ;)

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Fox

I took this photo of a fox at the British Wildlife Centre in Lingfield, Surrey. It was a nice day out to see many of the animals that inhabit the UK.

In the coming weeks, I'll show some more of the animals that were in the centre.

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New Caledonian Ghost Mask

This is a replica of a New Caledonian Ghost Mask, which were worn during a funeral when a chief died. The image is meant to reflect one of the powerful gods in New Caledonia. The exhibit was found in Maidstone Museum, Kent. I took this photo about a year ago, so maybe it's still there.

I'll admit that I was tempted to title the photo as "Marge?", but thought better of it. I don't want to be struck down by whatever powerful god the mask represents, or being hunted down by a raging Homer Simpson. ;)

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Tulip, Take a Bow

Yeah, another tulip photo. I just love these flowers, so bite me! ;)

Anyway, this one is taking a bow to an audience of forget-me-nots, so I'll be clapping along with them. Well, after I type this I will. Neighbours will think I'm bonkers, though…

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Common Marbled Carpet Moth

I saw this in some hallway of a building I was visiting, so took a snap. It's a common marbled carpet moth, but looks anything but common when you look at it in close-up.

One interesting fact about these moths is that they have two generations a year, one from May to June and the other from August to October. They're quite common in the British Isles and beyond.

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Moto-Reve Motorcycle

A few weeks ago I went to The Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery in Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK. One of the exhibits was this very early 20th century motorcycle. It was originally owned by by the founder of the museum, George Willis (1877 - 1970). It sort of looks as if an engine was fitted to a regular bicycle, which is more-or-less what it was according to the museum.

Information can be found below about the motorcycle and the museum.

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Gardener, There's a Fly in My Daffodils!

Took this shot of some white daffodils in my mum's garden earlier this year. The daffodils were coming up nice, so you'll notice a fly that's taken advantage of them. Can't blame it.