Summer Vacation, Day 5: Brighton

July 15, 2026 · 3 min read · 2 visits

We packed up at Norman’s Bay and went once more to the beach for a swim. Kellin lasted for 30 seconds and Tilian could have gone on for hours. We went 50 km to the east to finally meet up with Jasper and Charlotte. For the night we are staying at the Brighton Club Campsite.

California with the roof up and the awning out at the pitch, evening light

Being with Jasper, Charlotte and family was something we’ve been looking forward to before we left Germany. Nadine was here ten years ago. We had an awesome mix of snacks for lunch (thanks Jasper & Charlotte!), chatted and genuinely had a good time. After a few hours we went to get the pitch at the campsite ready and hit town. Brighton Marina was super busy as they have been hosting a fan mile for the England game tonight. As I am writing this, Argentina just scored their first goal at minute 85. The fan mile seems very quiet now. (Update: minute 97, 2:1 for Argentina - all quiet still.)

Juvenile magpie taking a drink from a dog's water bowls — More magpies at the campsite. This one’s been very thirsty.

We went for a walk by the Marina, past the football fan mile and then the heat knocked us out. We tried to walk on as much grass and in the shade as possible for the kids and Aika not to heat up too much. We called it an early stop due to the heat and went to The Reading Room for vegan dessert and cold drinks.

Weathered red horsebox camper in a supermarket car park

Nadine carrying Kellin through the underpass towards the seafront

TV crew interviewing a man in an England shirt on the seafront — The guy looked important, people stopped by and watched him being interviewed.

Street vendor loading his cart into a rental van — Poor guy struggling to push his cart into the van, eventually it tipped over.

View over the shingle beach from a restaurant terrace — View from The Reading Room.

Glass bowl of dessert topped with whipped cream and crumble — Delicious vegan berry trifle.

Bowl of ice cream in a kid's hands — Tilian shoveling the berry trifle.

Offshore wind turbines on the horizon behind the shingle beach — Brighton beach.

England bucket hats on a vendor cart — Smart guy making business.

Man relaxing in an armchair on the shingle bank above the marina — This guy watched the England game across the fence for free.

Two England fans posing under the Brighton Marina sign — The guys wanted a picture taken of them. I wonder if they’ll ever find it here. In case: Hello!

We make so much small talk with people here, folks at the campsites, in shops, vendors, people walking their dogs - I love it!

Topics: Travel, Photography