England 08: Brighton, Day 1

This year, my mom and I visited the Southeast of England. We began our journey in Brighton, a wonderful seaside town. Brighton is Britain's number one seaside town, despite the fact that the beaches are pebbly. It all began in the 1750's when a doctor told Londoners that bathing and drinking the local seawater was good for them.

The beach is made up of washed pebbles and rocks. They make a really cool noise when the waves wash over them. I collected some rocks that have been carved into interesting shapes. They look like miniature Henry Moore scultures.

The Brighton Pier, which used to be known as the Palace Pier, is one of those fun arcade places you expect in a seaside town. It's like Coney Island's boardwalk, but extended 1,760 ft out into the water. It's great to just sit out on the pier and enjoy the breeze and water view. On the first day we were there, we sat on the beach and then walked out to the end of the pier. It was a beautiful day.

There is another pier in Brighton, the West Pier. It has slowly been falling into the sea, but it makes a beautiful ruin.

Brighton is the site for The Who's movie Quadrophenia. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the movie, it is basically a retelling of the riot by the Mods and Rockers in 1964.