Brighton Marathon - the final update.

Here is the final guest post from The Grand's General Manager Andrew Mosley as he prepares to run his first marathon this Sunday...

“I don’t think I heard you correctly” I said. And drew a deep breath.

Some one had just told me that the marathon was less than 2 weeks away.

“How’s your training going?”

Of course I know that the marathon is less than 2 weeks away. But it still doesn’t seem real. More than anything else I still can’t picture in my mind what 150,000 spectators lining the route will look or feel like and I guess that’s the bit I’m most looking forward to. All of my training has been along sections of the marathon route. So much of the time it has just been me and the empty space. Soon it will be very different.

Regarding the answer to the other question about my training. It’s fine – thanks. It hurts – every time. I would always prefer to be sitting in a warm bar somewhere.

It’s always the people that aren’t doing the marathon that ask. Those that are know the answers! It’s nice to know you all care so much – thanks!

Given that this is the last 2 weeks, this week I completed my 20 mile run. Now, you remember those few lovely sunny days when Brighton felt like Brighton again recently? Well I didn’t go out on any of those days. No - instead I had diarised to go out a day later. You know, when it was raining a bit, very misty and blowing a force 7. Lovely

During my run I met with Adrian, a fellow novice marathoner and a “40 something” all round good bloke.

We ran together along the under cliff path from the marina to Rottingdean. It was great to have company and for the first time I got a taste of how camaraderie might get me through this thing. There weren’t many people about. Just a few old ladies walking their little dogs. We didn’t run at too great a pace. However we did manage to just pip the old folk to the “finish line” by The White Horse

Adrian carried on to Saltdean. I turned back home. In to the Force 7 gale! I wanted to be Adrian

On one last matter Adrian made my day. “I recognise you from the tele” he said having watched me on “Put your money where your mouth is” the previous week where I bought a table off a friendly antiques chap for £200. The table looks lovely in the Grand lobby. I think we both silently acknowledged that Adrian could possibly do with getting out more so it’s good to know that he is!

There was no time for an autograph. I was too busy worrying about the wind.

I wish Adrian and all my fellow runners all the best for the 10th. Let’s stick together – we can do this you know!

If you find my BLOG vaguely amusing or want to find out more why not follow our comments on Twitter? Just search for Grandbrighton.

And don’t forget our team’s Just Giving Page.

Andrew

*Everyone here at LoveBrighton would like to thank Andrew for keeping us up to date on his training and of course we wish you, and all the runners, the very best of luck for Sunday.

Radical Bloomsbury

During a group press trip last year I was fortunate enough to get to visit Charelston which was the country home of the Bloomsbury set. The house in Firle (near Lewes) was transformed by the artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell who painted walls and furniture and filled the house with ceramics and works of art from their collection.

The house gives a fascinating insight into the lives of the artists and from the 16th April Brighton Musuem & Art Gallery will be celebrating their work with a new exhibition - Radical Bloomsbury: The Art of Duncan Grant & Vanessa Bell 1905 - 1925. The exhibition looks at the contribution the artists made to the development of 20th century British painting and shows that in their day the Bloomsbury artists work was radical. Loans include pictures from national and regional galleries throughout England and from private collectors, including some works that have rarely been seen in public before.

Image - Duncan Grant: 'Bathing' 1911

The exhibition opens on Saturday 16th April and will be at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery until Sunday 9th October.

Charlotte

Afternoon delight

For this job it is very important that we know what we are talking about which is an excellent excuse for us to go out & about and try lots of different places. And this week I've had two fabulous lunches out at Breeze and the Ginger Dog.


Breeze is at the bottom end of Trafalgar Street and only opened towards the end of last year. We popped in for lunch this week and enjoyed the lovely relaxed atmosphere. It is the kind of place you could easily stay and spend an afternoon in, and thanks to the location it is a great spot for people watching. The food is reasonably priced and a lot of the ingredients are locally sourced. I had a delicious steak sandwich which came with home-cooked crisps which were scrumptious.

The Ginger Dog was the fourth venue to be opened by the Gingerman group (the others being The Gingerman, The Ginger Pig and the Ginger Fox). Although saying Gingerman group makes it sound like a conglomerate when in fact this is a true local success story. The restaurants are owned by a local Brighton couple who are still very hands-on with all the properties, and when a new place opens they will move some of the existing staff across in order to maintain a consistent level of service. As with Breeze most of the ingredients are local, although I had to chuckle when I asked this question as I was told while most of it is local the fish does come from Hastings - personally I'd still class that as local! I had smoked haddock with sundried tomato cous cous and rocket, which was lovely followed by Baileys bread and butter pudding which was every bit as good as it sounds!

Charlotte

The Chilli Pickle opens at myhotel Brighton

Two successful Brighton businesses - The Chilli Pickle and myhotel - have now joined forces.

myhotel first opened its doors in 2008 and was described as a place where Freddie Mercury might have met the Maharishi. Since then the hotel has become a firm favourite and has been listed in Conde Nast Traveller's Hot List and was recently voted the UK's 4th trendiest hotel in TripAdvisor's Traveller's Choice Awards.

Similarly since The Chilli Pickle first opened its doors a couple of years ago the restaurant has become extremely popular with locals and visitors alike and won the top gong at The British Curry Awards 2010 and was listed as one of the Best UK Curry Houses in the Independent.


Given the Eastern influence of the hotel it seems a logical move for the Chilli Pickle to expand and move into myhotel's premises. The new restaurant officially opens today (14th March) and includes a lot of the old favourite dishes as well as a few new ones. There are a number of seating options from banquettes to free standing tables or even canteen style seating at the new 'banana table'! Having recently returned from a research trip to India, the owners - Alun and Dawn - have made sure that everything is as authentic as possible, even down to the music as they have selected 1950s Bollywood classics.

To book a table call 01273 900383.

Charlotte

Brighton Marathon training update

It is now time for an update from Andrew Mosley, the General Manager of The Grand, to give us an update on how his Brighton Marathon training is going...

For those of you who have been kind enough to read my fortnightly blog I have an apology to make. I’ve not updated you properly recently and that is primarily due to one reason - a dreaded injury.

Whilst I have to say it’s kind of made me feel….. well, quite athletic in some ways (after all I never dreamt I would sustain an athlete’s injury!!) …… as part of my training I’ve read about injuries and have now realised that they do exactly what they say on the tin!

First of all they hurt. Secondly they stop you running. And as a result of both these things you feel quite down and it’s not a great place to be

Anyway I made a call to the wonderful physiotherapist, Kim, at the Withdean Stadium. She was fantastic and helped me back in to training which I am now doing.

I also bought some new shoes. The “experts” talk about this a lot as well but you never quite know what to believe!! Apparently a decent pair of trainers has got about 500 miles in them. Which makes me feel proud that I needed some new ones.

I was measured up and looked after by the guys at Sweatshop. So training is back to normal and feeling good

However time is against me and with 3 weeks to go until “the taper” I need to get going. I need to start dong some 18 milers. I’ve yet to hit 15 so it could be challenging

Overall though I can’t wait for the day and the anticipation is growing even grater

If you find my BLOG vaguely amusing or want to find out more why not follow our comments on Twitter? Just search for Grandbrighton.

And don’t forget our team’s Just Giving Page

Regards

Andrew

Winter Pride in Brighton & Hove

As Brighton & Hove is so gloriously gay - well LGBT actually but I think you know what I mean - having a Pride Festival once a year just isn't enough for us so we've got two.


Winter Pride is back and there are lots of events going on over the next 10 days all helping to raise funds and awareness for Pride and the LGBT community. So here's just a taste of what's happening this week:

• Naked Homo at Home! - You can invite the Naked Homo to perform in your own home. Although if that is a bit too up close and personal he is doing a couple of public performances as well... I do love the fact that the website carries a disclaimer warning people that the show contains nudity, surely the clue was in the title!
  
• Stop the DJ at The Bulldog - This weekend the Bulldog will be open for a marathon 63 hours, and if at any time the DJ plays something you don't like donate £1 and the DJ will stop immediately.
  
• Ms Dynamite at Revenge - The double Brit winner will be staging an Urban takeover of Revenge as for the first time ever the whole night will be dedicated to R&B anthems, UK Garage and Dubstep.
• Green Carnations and Pansies - The Victorians used flowers to convey hidden messages and secret loves. Gay men and women used green carnations and violets to signify their devotions. In this fun and relaxing workshop you will learn how to make flowers from fabrics and turn them into corsages - tea and cakes included.
  
• Danger Boys at the Marlborough Theatre - Enjoy a drink from the bar and stretch your legs in the unique little cinema at the Marlborough. There will be a special screening including some 1940s propaganda warning of the dangers of consorting with homosexuals as well as some retro queer erotica.
  

These are just a few of the events taking place during Winter Pride, for a full list go to the Brighton Pride website: www.brightonpride.org

Charlotte
VisitBrighton

Spring into Brighton

It's March, the daffodils are out and the sun is shining so it must be Spring (we just won't mention the wintry winds!)


Spring is a great time to plan a break to Brighton & Hove as it's the best chance to make the most of all the fantastic activities on offer before the summer madness. This year there will be two exciting new sports to try - cable wakeboarding at Lagoon Watersports and Beach Tennis at Yellowave.

The city is also an ideal base for getting out & about exploring the beautiful Sussex countryside whether you decide to walk, cycle of roll down the Downs. Plus Spring is the time when the events calendar gets going including the Brighton Marathon, Foodies Festival and of course lots of Easter Fun!

So check out our Spring pages for further tips and book your Brighton break today.

Charlotte