Occasions

Organised days out, celebratory restaurant meals and the odd tipsy moment... this is the collection of photos that are divided into their own pages and feature events and occasions.

Brighton Stay Over

Saturday 1 July 2023

Jezz and I used our complimentary voucher for an overnight stay with Afternoon Tea and breakfast at The Double Trees by Hilton Metropole in Brighton.

Billericay 2023

Friday 23 June 2023

Booked weeks in advance, Jezz and I make our way to Ashes Into Glass, a company who make jewellery and paperweights using the ashes of a loved one. Jezz's brother, Elliot, died earlier this year, and we finally managed to get to Essex and watched the paperweight and the Pandora-style bead charm being made. We've video'ed all of it, too. Afterwards, we stopped for lunch in Wilkin & Sons Tea Room. I had the usual ham, egg and chips, pot of tea and Jezz had barbecue chicken and cheese panini. Perfect!

Michèle's 60th 2023

Saturday 22 April 2023

Michèle organised a gathering of around 35 friends and family to meet at The Greek Vine restaurant in Wallington. It was a good night, food was ok, good value but very, very noisy.

Zoe's 40th 2023

Saturday 11 February 2023

Jezz and I picked up Michele, met Amanda outside and then went in to Central's Bar & Lounge, Worcester Park to celebrate our niece's 40th birthday, Zoe.

Sara's 50th 2022

Saturday 18 June 2022

Jezz, Nikki, Caiger and I all drove to the Snow Goose pub in Farnborough to meet up with others for a surprise party for Sara's 50th birthday.

Michele's 59th 2022

Tuesday 12 April 2022

Wow. The restaurant is amazing. Right atmosphere, food was sensational... loved it. We gave Michele her birthday present, which was a massive fluffy blanket with a huge print of Mabel on it. 

Eastbourne 2022

Wednesday 23 March 2022

A perfect day out with my husband, Jezz.

Jezz and Wayne Alton's Wedding 2021

Saturday 6 November 2021

The cermeony and reception of our wedding.

Jezz's 50th 2021

Friday 5 November 2021

The evening before the wedding, we booked tables at Bill's restaurant, Brighton to cater for 20 people. 

Jim's 60th 2021

Saturday 3 July 2021

On Saturday 3rd July 2021, Jezz and I were with Jim and Debbie at their place, with family and friends, celebrating Jim's 60th birthday.

Brighton with Nik 2020

Wednesday 16 September 2020

Jezz, Nik and I drove down to Brighton for the day. We had breakfast in a cafe on St. James's Street, did a bit of shopping, had ice cream, drink in The Dorset, doughnuts along the prom and a chicken and rice box meal at Leon in the evening. We had a good giggle playing with the Pooter Tooter.

Farthing Downs Picnic 2020

Sunday 25 May 2020

On Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May 2020, Jezz and I set out after preparing a full picnic. We weren't sure of exactly where we would end up but eventually, after driving for about an hour, we parked at Farthing Downs.

We took our food hamper and foldable chairs to a small remote corner of the downs and set up our picnic. We had made cheese and pickle rolls, egg mayonnaise and cress rolls and ham, tomato and mustard rolls. We made some cheese and tomato twists, homemade potato salad, soft cheese and TUC cracker biscuits, grapes, took some chocolate tea cakes and crisps. Also, as well as chilled water and lemonade, we took a flask of hot water for tea and coffee.

Visiting St Neots 2019

Saturday 16 November 2019

Jezz and I went drove Cambridge to see Kelly, Chris, Ethan and Jake at their home in St. Neots. We met Sabre, their Cockerpoo, had a tour of their new house, food and drink, played games and had a good catch up. We were then treated to dinner at The Brampton Mill in Huntingdon. Had a fab time.

High Tea at The Grand, Brighton 2019

Thursday 7 November 2019

Jezz and I went to Brighton for afternoon tea at The Grand Hotel in Brighton. We started our day with a Burger King meal and then headed into town. Did some Christmas shopping and then went to the Grand and had afternoon tea in the terrace. It was a superb day.

Eastbourne Brighton 2019

Thursday 12 September 2019

Jezz and I went to Eastbourne and Brighton. We had Fish and Chips in Eastbourne... such good value! Shopping and a quick walk to the pier for ice cream and an hour or so on the arcade games before we then drove to Brighton.  Dinner at the Chilli Pickle and then doughnuts on the pier. Home by 9.30pm.

Brighton Pride 2019

Saturday 3 August 2019

Jezz, Amanda and I went to Brighton for the day. It was also Brighton Pride. Breakfast in Bill's, walking the lanes, ice cream, the pier and doughnuts, a drink in The White Rabbit and evening meal on the way home at The George, Henfield.

Two-day Breakaway 2019

Wednesday 10 July 2019

Jezz and I get away for a mini-break. We start by staying overnight at The Cow, a hotel and bar in Dalbury Lees, Derby. The next morning and after breakfast, we headed to Alton Towers Resort for the day.

Ramsay's - A Special Day Out 2015

Tuesday 30 June 2015

Around Christmastime 2015, our wonderful gardener Barry and his wife Mel kindly gave us a gift voucher to dine at one of the Gordon Ramsay restaurants. We chose the Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, London. This restaurant is heavily booked in advanced... we booked our table back in April.

Borough Market 2014

Friday 18 July 2014

Jezz, Kelly and I drove to London and arrived at 11.45am. We had a float each at Float Works (it was Kelly's first time) and then we went to Borough Market. Kelly and I had never been before and it was great fun. After having lunch and ice cream, I suggested we head homeward as I was feeling tired The evening was rounded off nicely with a Chinese takeaway.

London Day Out 2013

Monday 25 March 2013

Jezz and I set out at 8.30am for a trip to London. We started at Fortnum & Mason's Fountain restaurant. The breakfast and service were impeccable. We then went to Ripley's 'Believe It Or Not' Museum. Later, we had a late buffet lunch at China Town.

Cromer Trip 2012

Friday 7 September 2012

Michele, Anthony, Nikki and I drove to Cromer, Norfolk. We went to visit Aunty Gwen and cousins Brian, Brenda and Bob. We stayed overnight in a b&b in Overstrand. The journeys there and back were a good laugh and we had a really good time. Here are the photos of our time in Cromer.

Wisley 2012

Friday 31 August 2012

Jezz and I spent the day at Wisley Gardens, near Woking in Surrey. We took in the sights, views and had a gander at the plants. We had a bite to eat in a cafe there too.

Brighton - A Gay Day Out 2012

Tuesday 28th August 2012

Jezz and I, along with my sister Nikki drove down to Brighton for the day. We had a fabulous time and went for a stroll through the North Lanes, had lunch in Carats cafe in Shoreham, a walk on the pier and spent a few pounds in the arcade. Had hot doughnuts and then a pint in the Poison Ivy in St. James Street. Here's the photos to prove it!

Cliveden House 2012

Tuesday 31st July 2012

Jezz, Kelly and I were invited out for afternoon tea by Ian and Donald. We were driven to Cliveden House in Taplow, Berkshire. The wonderful venue for afternoon tea featured a fabulous selection of teas, sandwiches and cakes.

Cosmo's 2011

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Jezz and I meet with the Gardener family and friends for both Vicki and Irene's birthday. We had dinner at the all-you-can-eat restaurant Cosmo's in Croydon's Valley Park. It has since been renamed JRC Global Buffet Croydon.

Hampton Court 2011

Friday 20th May 2011

Joan, Hayley, Jezz and I have a day out at Hampton Court Palace for the day.

Great Yarmouth 2010

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Jezz and I met with Joan & Hayley for a short break away in a chalet at Great Yarmouth. We all went to 'Yesterday's World' museum which, sadly is no longer there.

BBQ at Lizz's 2010

Sunday 11th July 2010

Jezz and I spend the afternoon with Lizz, Vicki and Cerys at Lizz's place in Addiscombe, Surrey. Jezz took charge of the bbq and cooked the meat and I prepared the salad. It was a beautiful afternoon, both company and weather-wise.

Mel and Mark's BBQ 2010

Saturday 5 June 2010

Jezz and I went to Sittingbourne to Melanie's for a bbq and to meet her partner, Mark. We also met Melanie's younger daughter, Adele. The weather was perfect and we had a lovely time.

London Day Out 2010

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Jezz and I spend a day out in London. We managed the London Eye and a walk around the London Film Museum. We also had a Chinese lunch on the South Bank. 

New Year's Eve 2009

Thursday 31 December 2009

Jezz and I see the New Year in with David at his flat in Kemptown, Brighton. We stayed overnight.

Christmas 2009

Friday 25 December 2009

The family are together for Christmas 2009 at Nikki's in Duke of Edinburgh Road, Sutton.

Hastings 2009

Wednesday 19 August 2009

David, Jezz and I went to Hastings for the day. We visited The Burling Gap, Pevensey Castle and had a fish and chip lunch. It was perfect!

Torquay 2009

Wednesday 9th September 2009

Jezz, David and I set off for four days to Torquay in Devon. The weather was spectacular. We stayed in the gay resort 'Key West' and went driving to other parts and sightseeing places including the perfect Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway.

Bentley and Wildfowl Motor Museum 2008

Wednesday 30 July 2008

Jezz and I venture out to another museum... this time to Ringmer in Lewes, East Sussex. We spent a few hours looking around the vintage cars and seeing the wildfowl and birds. We also watched some amazing glass blowing and bought a souvenir.

Brooklands Museum & Mercedes Benz World 2008

Wednesday 11 June 2008

Jezz and I had a day out at Brooklands Museum and Mercedes Benz World in Weybridge, Surrey.

London Zoo 2007

Friday 29 June 2007

Joan, Hayley, Jezz and I went to London Zoo for the day.

New Year's Eve 2006

Sunday 31 December 2006

Simon, David, Jezz and Wayne meet with Tim & Miranda, Nick, Scott, Clive & Romeo at The Reflex nightclub, Kingston to see the New Year in.

Caiger Wedding 2006

Saturday 11 November 2006

The wedding of Wayne's sister, Nikki and Paul Caiger. The service was at Morden Registry Office and the reception was at The Grange, Beddington.

Dunkirk 2006

Friday 9 June 2006

Jezz and I went to Dunkirk with Nick and David H. It was a business trip involving returning the BMW and on the ferry. I drove the Lexus.

Denmark 2006

Friday 24 May 2006

Jezz and I went to Denmark with Nick. It was a business trip but we had some fun overnight in a gay bar. We stayed at a b&b and had a continental breakfast in the morning.

Brighton Pride 2005

Sunday 7 August 2005

Jezz, Pete and I drove to Brighton and spent the evening and overnight stay at David's in Kemptown. In the morning, we met with friends at The Brighton Pride Festival for 2005.

Brighton Spring 2005

Sunday 10th April 2005

Pete, Jezz and I go to Brighton for a weekend. Pete and I  stayed at The New Europe Hotel (now known as Legends) and Jezz stayed with David at his place. The fabulous weekend included dining out at The Café Rouge at Brighton's Marina, a boat ride to the West Pier and back and an evening at The Swartz bar, under the hotel (then).

New Year's Eve 2004

Friday 31 December 2004

David J, Pete, Jezz and I head off to The Goose and Carrot, Croydon to see the New Year in.

Christmas Day 2004

Saturday 25 December 2004

The family gather at Nikki's for Christmas Day lunch, Duke Of Edinburgh Road, Sutton.

Thorpe Park 2004

Thursday 16 September 2004

Jezz coaxed me into going to Thorpe Park with him, for the day. I managed most of the white-knuckle rides.

Limo Night 2001

Saturday 10 November 2001

Jezz and I invite Laurie, Francis, Nikki and Paul for a night out in Jim's 8-seater American stretch limousine. We had a five-hour hire and drove around South and Central London on a massive pub crawl that started at The Two Brewers, Clapham and included Brewer Street, The Piano Bar, Compton's and 79CXR to name a few.

Littlehampton 1998

Friday 28 August 1998

I spend a day trip to Littlehampton with the service users and staff from SCILL, the Sutton Centre for Independent Living and Learning.