The kindess of others

You may have to bear with me dear reader, as I try and remember what I've been up to this week, as it has been rather busy!

Let’s see, so Monday to Friday morning was spent in Eastbourne. On Monday I visited a gentleman called Bernard Lodge. Bernard once worked in graphics, on things films as ‘Aliens’ and ‘Blade Runner’ and created the original Doctor Who title sequence. He had some fascinating anecdotes and experiences to recount and we chatted for hours. He also kindly showed me his studio as he now works as a print artist, using a wonderful old Victorian press. Do have a look at his website as I think he has some very interesting work on there (http://bernardlodge.moonfruit.com/). After a delightful and unexpected lunch (which was rather good) I headed back to Brighton, having learnt an awful lot about graphics and the development of techniques.

I then went in search of an actor, a chap called Alan Bennion (yes the Ice Warrior, not Ice Soldier, as some thought!). Anyway, I travelled quite a way, and knocked on the door, in order to answer my suspicions and much to my delight he said he was the actor and rather than simply signing my autograph book (I'm obsessive, as I'm sure you've realised dear reader), he invited me in and we had quite a chat about Doctor Who and the rest of his career (exclusive fact for you dear reader, when he returned for The Curse of Peladon, he requested genitals for his costume, which made me smile). Alan has had quite a career and it turns out he was born and grew up about 20 minutes away from me, so we had a chat about how things have changed in the area. It was rather late by the time I left, as I think both of us had lost track of the time. It was perhaps one of the oddest ways in which I've met someone associated with Doctor Who, but Alan was delightful, a true gent and I thank him whole-heartedly for invited me in and talking to me (a complete and unexpected stranger I should add). By the time I eventually got back to Eastbourne it was rather late, but at least a rather worried Auntie had managed to get to bed at last (I'd planned to be home about four hours earlier!).

Following Monday’s excitement, I explored Brighton on Tuesday. I spent the morning exploring all the little quirky shops, including an Aladdin's cave of all sorts of treasures (much like Jacob's market in Cardiff) as well as looking through all the charity shops that I could find (I'm such an old man!). As part of my wanders I did find a Time Lord (let’s just say that wasn't a coincidence). A lovely chap called Eric Danot, who now runs a bonsai shop, which led to a rather fascinating discussion not only about his acting career, but also his current career. I continued down to the sea front (which was unsurprising busy as I'd chosen to go exploring on the hottest day of the year). I went for quite a walk along the seafront, enjoying the summer breeze. I walked further than expected, ending up in Hove (actually), but this only meant I had more charity shops to explore along a rather lovely high street. Bizarrely as I got to the station I bumped into Michael Jayston (to think I'd activity sort out Doctor Who actors and then walked into one, making that two Time Lords in one day). He stopped for a brief chat, before both of us going on our way. After plenty of (very hot) wandering, I made it back at a more civilized hour to be able to watch Ghostbusters II (equally as good, bring in number three!).

Having explored Brighton to some extent (a return visit is definitely needed) I explored Eastbourne on Wednesday. Having headed out early(ish for a holiday), I realised very little was open so I toured the high street (yes, you guessed it dear reader, more charity shops), before wandering into the Museum of Shops. It’s a fascinating, four story collection of packaging, boxes and items from 1930s-60s, with each floor being dressed as a particular type of shop (whilst it might not sound that exciting it was quite fascinating). After having spent a good while wandering through the collection, I had quite a chat with the lady in the gift shop, from which I discovered that the museum was simply the home for her and her husband's collection of packaging and other things, which had got too big (just wait dear reader, I'll open a Doctor Who museum soon). Eastbourne's art gallery was my next site on the tour of the town (remember there's more than just the sea). They currently have an exhibition of David Bomberg's work (I'd never heard of him either dear reader). Quite an interesting collection of work, as he explored different styles, studying mainly the landscape, but both in England and in the Middle East, so quite a contrast of environments.

This kept us busy before the fireworks

You may think dear reader that I returned to the flat for a film (Ghostbusters III by any chance?) but no. Jess and I went for a rather good Italian meal (they had some rather fancy 'wafer thin' bread which was rather moorish). We planned to see the fireworks that night, as each Wednesday evening there is a display on the beach, but obviously as its summer (at last) we had to wait quite a while for it to get dark. Did we return to the flat and come out again later I hear you ask (I bet no one did), no, instead we sat in a rather fancy hotel (our table was a drum) and played a board game (I say 'played', we first had to sort out the various games in order to find one that was complete enough to be played - no need to thank us hotel manager). We played some sort of quiz game which was rather interesting, although I wasn't very good. Anyway, it passed the time (I rather enjoyed it) and it was soon dark and the fireworks began. They were lovely to see, particularly as we could see/hear the sea and enjoy the warm summer breeze.

Thursday morning (surprisingly) marked my first and only trip to London for the week. I met up with a wonderful chap called Bill Hornet who was once (and still is) an actor but these days, runs a gentleman's outfitters in Kensington (very fancy). His shop is quite a treasure trove of vintage clothing and all sorts. We popped into the pub around the corner and chatted at length about his career:   he gave me some very useful things to bear in mind. By coincidence, we realised he'd worked on a series that Brian (remember Northampton) had written (it’s a small world).
Very quickly Friday seemed to come around and I had to leave Eastbourne for Dorset (part two of the silly few weeks). Having thought there wasn't much to see/do in the area I was amazed just how busy I'd been in Eastbourne and had a great time (part two to follow at some point).

After an extensive few train journey's from Eastbourne to Dorset (exact location is top secret - I can't spell it, even google has failed me) I arrived mid-afternoon, to be met by Frank. For avid readers (yes, I mean you mum, no one is that interested in my rambles) you'll remember that I regularly talk to Frank via Skype, and it was during one such conversation that he kindly invited me to stay for a few days. As one would imagine, the area is full of little villages and towns, set amongst some incredible countryside. The first of these villages had a rather good tea room (it even had flowery tablecloths), where we had rather good tea and cake (a good start I must say). We spent the rest of the day chatting and Frank showed me around his lovely cottage.

Saturday was a gloriously sunny day so we went for an exploration of the surrounding area, before returning to the cottage that evening. After a rather busy day of exploring, Sunday was more relaxed as we spent much of the day reading the paper (I'm an old man I know) and chatting, before Frank took me to a little good local pub for a full Sunday roast (it was quite something). Finished off with a rather good apple pie, we both spent the rest of the day sleeping off (relaxing, but you know what I mean) our lunch before we went on a local walk that Frank often does.

There you have it dear reader, week one of a rather silly few weeks. This week in particular has relied on the kindness if a number of people. People like Bernard, Bill, Allan and Eric all happily chatted to me when I'm sure they could have been doing any number of other things and invited me (a complete stranger) into their homes. Whilst Frank invited me to stay with him and we had a lovely time, but again, until a few months ago we'd been complete strangers. Not forgetting Jess who happily let me stay with her, with only a weeks’ notice during a very busy week. To all of these people I am very thankful for what they have done this week; I feel very lucky.