Month: May 2025

Farley House with Friends

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Have you seen the movie Lee ? Starring Kate Winslet as American Lee Miller the former model, then America photojournalist during WW2.

It’s a fascinating story I first heard from her son Antony Penrose when he came to Australia with ArtsNational ( former ADFAS). Last year the film was released.

Lee married Roland Penrose and they lived in Farley House in East Sussex. They led amazing lives. Friends with the artistic community of the day, Picasso was a frequent visitor to their house along with Man Ray.

Before we headed to Chiddingly our friend Bill Murie met us at Swim Trek headquarters. For those who follow along you’ll know Steve and I have done about 8 swim treks over the years. Check back in the blog and you’ll read about them.

Bill we met in Galapagos with Alex also from this area. Alex gave up law and like Lee Miller became a photojournalist working in Mexico City. in some very dangerous places. She’s an amazing young woman. In the blog when I first met her I described her as a whip smart lawyer!

The Sea Lanes pool in the beach in Brighton.

We met up with Simon Murie, Bills son at SeaLanes an amazing complex in the beach. It has a heated pool and several ‘cabins’ for office headquarters, a yoga studio, restaurant, bar, massage areas and little nooks and crannies to sit out of the wind. It’s a credit to Simon and another partner to work with the Council to develop this leisure hub.

Alongside Bill and Simon Murie at SwimTrek Headquarters.
A little book nook
One of the office cabins

After a tour with Simon we headed off to Farley House to meet Alex and Bills friend Adrian.

As you can see the skies were grey and it was very chilly!

The house tour was great. But no Photos allowed. So go onto the website https://www.farleyshouseandgallery.co.uk/people/lee-miller/

The house was an eclectic mix of art works and travel memorabilia. A Picasso tile roughly grouted in above the stove !

Many art works by artist friends and lee’s husband Roland Penrose a surrealist painter.

There is also a gallery of Lees photos along with photos by Man Ray of their decadent summers spent in the South of France before the war.

The garden is filled with sculptures.

Two hours immersion into the life of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose sent us hungry to The Gun. Yet another old country pub.

Adrian, Bill Steve and Alex.

A great first day in the UK. Let’s hope the weather improves! We are singing on Brighton Pier tomorrow!

Brighton UK turns on the Sun….

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We’ve been hearing about the miserable weather in Brighton but today the sun is out. What a lovely welcome.

The flight from Singapore was in 2 sections 7 hours to Abu Dhabi a stop for an hour and a half. Stretch the legs then a bigger flight – 7 hours. Bonus. I slept.

Arriving into London with blue skies was a treat. It’s always exciting looking out the window down onto the Thames.

We caught the train into London and then the National rail train to Brighton. Stopping for coffee we were surprised at the costs! ( an outrageous $19. For 2 coffees! ) at Heathrow , got cash, started the eSIM and we were in Brighton by 11.

It’s so old world ‘English seaside’ vibe. Lots of people. The smell of fish and chips. Lots of dogs and a ton of people down by the pebbly waterfront eating fish and chips and licking ice cream.

We had a bite to eat in a great cafe then walked. And walked. I’d read about an area called North Laine. It’s an area of traffic free streets with outdoor stalls, lots of quirky shops, cafes, vape shops, cannabis outlets, boho and homewares. All together. Great fun.

We saw the area with lots of tents including the Spiegeltent for Fringe Festival shows.

There’s not as many posters around advertising Fringe events. despite this our show on Saturday night is a sell out.

Crossing Edward St. the main thoroughfare we walked the Lanes. Full of restaurants, cafes and pubs.

Down to Marine Pde passing the Wagner Theatre where our ‘Bangers and Mash ups ‘ show is on Saturday night. It’s sold out! Amazing. I have 5 friends from this area coming along.

A quick visit to Sainsbury the supermarket for a few supplies to carry the five short blocks back to the air BnB.

Into our flat. Ground floor , facing the ocean, it’s one of the many painted terrace houses that line this road.

It’s one big room decorated with antiques, two big squishy lounges A grand piano and an iron poster bed.

It’s perfect. I love it and could stay a week. And it was less expensive than a hotel.

Our gorgeous friend Yves called in around 6.30 – yes we managed a little snooze to conquer the long travel day.

He suggested dinner at a great little place in the Lanes with a glass of wine first.

Perfect for a sneaky nap.

We spent so much time catching up that I forgot a photo! We met Yves back in 2013 in a swim trek in Sardinia. We’ve since caught up over many swims. Particularly the long swims Steve has done with our friends Chris, Ben and Dan

If you scroll back in my posts you’ll see our swims together. A memorable one for all the wrong reasons in Hong Kong harbour …

Yves also organised our swim trek to Vanuatu where he was born, with a group of our Brisbane friends. So, we did have lots to talk about.

We ate curry and drank red wine and at 11pm that night fell into the 4 poster iron bed.

🎶🎶 Singing Tour – a Swimming Tour: Starting in Singapore.

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We decided on an overnight in Singapore. To break the journey. Is it worth it ?

I am starting to love my visits to Singapore. Having recently been with Pete and 5 year old Ollie I feel I’m getting to know it a little.

We stayed at Capri by Fraser. In Chinatown Square a block from the Mecure where we stayed last time. I love this area. Lots of good food markets, interesting little streets and with the train you can get everywhere quickly.

The taxi from the airport was quick and efficient and we were in the hotel in 45 mins. Cost $31.

Drummed the bags , a quick change into some cooler clothes and off to the Lau Pa Sat food markets with its infamous Satay Street. Always busy it’s great for a quick meal under fans ……with a big beer. Also a major people watching place. There are piles of plates on every table, amazing smells and locals hunched over

Our hotel is great but we don’t usually include breakfast. We like to go out away from buffet breakfasts. We went to a cafe nearby m. Had a great coffee and watched the passing parade on their way to work. They all wear comfortable shoes and the girls often carry a little portable fan.

Cafe for breakfast

At first I thought one girl had an ice cream. But it was a little battery run fan. It looked funny. Can’t say I blame her. It’s very steamy.

I wanted to walk around some of the quiet narrow streets of China Town. We discovered a little oasis of greenery. Very quiet and a bit different to the big broad streets with traffic.

Hidden walkways in Chinatown

Singapore has sorted out lots of problems associated with dense living! They charge a fortune to have a private car on the road so it does limit car traffic. I can’t imagine if they allowed anyone to drive a car. It would be at a standstill.

I had checked before booking that our hotel offered a baggage hold after checkout and then use of showers later in the day. My new best friend at the concierge desk took our bags and we set off walking. It was a little overcast so bearable.

We crossed the river towards Parliament and the arts precinct.

New building vs old on opposite sides of the river

Some beautiful buildings lots of shady trees and places to sit or go inside to some aircon.

I checked out the Fullerton Hotel. It’s a beauty but would cost $$$. Lovely for a visit or a cool drink.

Zig zagging across the walking bridges we went back to the arts area

The Fullerton Hotel with Marina Sands behind it.
Another lovely gallery with a Pagoda exhibition
The Arts Festival is in full swing.
Statues are everywhere – this outside the Fire Museum.

Lots of walking led to a big thirst so we stopped at Clarke Quay for lunch. A beer and prawns by the water under a fan. Perfect.

We’re now at the airport. Being early to a flight in no problem in Singapore. The amazing ‘The Jewel’ is adjacent to Terminal 1&2 and easy to access from terminal 3 , it is the perfect place to spend time.

There is a great big waterfall in the centre with lots of seating. Not too comfortable as people would lie down. I certainly wanted to!

I was here 6 weeks ago with son Peter and grandson Ollie and he did the dinosaur hunt.

The attraction for kids this month young and old is Mario Kart.

Now the big flight to London. Lucky we’re in business! Soul Song choir here I come.