Welcome to Day whatever we’re on. I can’t remember what day of the week it is, much less what day of the trip it is. It turns out that it’s Wednesday, so that means it’s In-laws Day.
We’ve met the in-laws before, but there was no wedding planned back then, so they weren’t really in-laws (and still aren’t, until Saturday). Now it’s getting close to official.
We had brunch with Antony (Chris’s dad) and Jacquie (step mum) at the Rushfields Garden Centre this morning, followed by a personal tour of the Hassocks War Museum. It’s not really a war museum, it’s Ant’s collection of militaria in the attic room of their house in Hassocks, just north of Brighton.
Antony has been collecting various militaria for a long time, specialising in bayonets. Any thieves breaking in here probably won’t be shot, but they will be porcupined. Apart from the bayonets, his collection includes: helmets, grenades, jackets, medals and die cast miniatures. I liked it.
I brought a suit with me for the wedding, but the tie was vetoed by the clothing committee. So we’ve been off to Marks & Spencer to get a new one. I don’t know what colour it is, that wasn’t up to me. I didn’t bring black socks, or a belt either, so just as well we went shopping. Come to think of it, I’m not entirely sure I brought the suit.
This evening Michelle, Amelia and I headed off to Saltdean (just east of Brighton) with Chris and Emily, to have dinner with the other half of the in-laws, Amanda (Chris’s mum) and Steve (step dad).
Steve is quite the cook, which dovetailed neatly with our skill set – we are quite the eaters. Three courses, all excellent, and another previously unused notch in the belt brought into play. Thank you Amanda and Steve.
We started watching the Euro 24 soccer semi final between England and the Netherlands (yes, I know it’s called football, but so are all the others – so soccer it will remain) but bailed at half-time and caught a bus back to the digs at Brighton.
Apparently our all singing, all dancing 7-day tickets don’t work on the night buses. Okay, it’s gone 9pm, but it’s still daylight, how is this a night bus? Anyway, the driver waved us through in an effort to avoid talking to us, so in effect they did work.
Bye, Stephen and Michelle