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Ten Knights, Ladies and guests joined in this year's Modern Mega Manor (MMM) taking place in Brighton and Hove. Helena, Steve, Martin, Helen, Anne, Phil, Colin all flew out from Edinburgh to Gatwick, Derran joined a couple of days later by plane and train from Aarhus and Jess and Jack, who live in Hove, joined the fun on Tuesday night.

- Monday (Open-Top Bus Tour)
It was a fairly early flight from Edinburgh so the hardcore of the crew had plenty of time to take the train from Gatwick to Brighton, dump their bags at respective hotels and go exploring. Anne, Helen, Helena and Steve popped by Quadrophenia Lane which was very close to their hotel then took a wander through The Lanes before stopping off at The "Victory" pub for a bite to eat. Colin, Martin and Phil soon arrived for libation and the topic of an open-top bus tour came up. Phil and Martin decided it was a litte too hot to sit on a bus so the rest of the crew headed for a bus stop while Martn and Phil continued exploring on foot. While waiting on the bus, Colin, Anne, Helen, Helena and Steve met and made friends with a few London JKs; very entertaining. Just like being back in Leith. The open-top bus tour gave a good view of Hove, Brighton Racecourse, Sussex South Downs, Chalky Downs, Brighton Marina, Sussex Square and Madeira Drive along to Palace Pier. After stepping off the bus, it was time to formally check-in so everyone headed for their hotels. Having settled in to their rooms, Anne, Helen, Helena and Steve again ventured in to The Lanes and settled for a drink outside The Cricketers, before a tasty, discounted cocktail in Golden Pineapple. Martin, Phil and Colin then turned up and everyone piled in to The Walrus where Helena re-christened the 'roof garden' the 'roof dump'. Some tasty Mexican food in Dos Sombreros and a 'knight' cap in Bath Arms polished off a long but fun-packed and industrious day.

- Tuesday (Walk 'n' Talk)
At 11 the next morning, the full crew met at the head of the Palace Pier where Steve kicked-off a 'walk-n-talk'. A potted history of Brighton and the Palace Pier was given before everyone was invited to soak up the amusements and other pier entertainment. Some refreshment at Horatios was followed by a short walk to New Steine (pronounced 'steen') where the Royal Suspension Chain Pier used to meet the shoreline. Steve mentioned a few Cape-Connections including the pier's designer, Captain Samuel Brown's connection to John Rennie (Sir Owlet (or perhaps Hatchet)) and Newhaven's chain pier which the captain also designed. He was present at the opening of said pier. Time for another sojourn to a watering hole, que a 'Beach Session' at The Mucky Duck. The Trumped-up toilets were a sight to see/pee. Back to business, the walk 'n' talk made its way past the Brighton War Memorial and on to a shady spot opposite Marlborough House which was designed by well-known Edinburgh architect and Cape Club contemporary, Robert Adam. Immediately on the right is Steine House, former residence of Maria Fitzherbert, first wife of the Prince Regent, and now occupied by the YMCA. Que everyone singing, dancing in the sunshine and generally showing love for village people. It was another short walk to the final part of the tour, the statue of King George IV outside the splendid Royal Pavillion. The statue was sculpted by Francis Chantrey who also did one of Sir Walter Scott. Thanks were given to Steve for another well-researched tour, with a few Cape-Connections, before everyone wandered through the Royal Pavillion Estate/gardens and stopped at All Bar One for well-deserved and cooling refreshment. Tea time was approaching and after a freshen-up, Jess and Jack, relatives of Helena, joined the company for a slap-up meal at The Olive Grove before yet more 'knight' caps at William the Fourth.

- Wednesday (Royal Pavillion)
After a hearty breakfast, Anne, Helena, Helen and Steve set off through The Lanes, via the many jewellery shops, to explore the many quirky outlets in the area of North Laine. It was very busy in some of the narrower parts! By midday, it was time to meet with the remainder of the Brighton MMM party and venture in to the Royal Pavillion. Safe to say everyone was very impressed with the opulence (verging on vulgarity) within (particularly Phil with the floor-standing, air-conditioning unit). Well done George and thanks to The Cape for subsidising part of the cost of the visit. Steve ducked out and headed to the railway station to meet up with Derran and lead him quickly in to the folds of the Cape back at All Bar One, via Guildford Road: appropriate Cape Connection. On the way to settle in to his hotel, Derran, accompanied by Helen, Anne, Helena, Steve (and later Colin), popped in to The Grand Hotel to enjoy the plush bar surroundings and a cheaper than anticipated pint (still £7 mind). After Derran's check-in, an excellent seat at The Seahorse was procured with an equally excellent view out over the coastline of Brighton and the English Channel. Entertainment was provided by tightrope walkers and a man on a hydrofoil board. Tea time again. Cheap and cheerful this time. Phil and Martin enjoyed an 'all they could eat' pizza buffet while everyone else enjoyed that traditional seaside favourite, fish 'n' chips. Thankfully, no one lost out to a greedy gull. The Market Inn was the next and final port of call for most of the Brighton adventurers although some did squeeze in a (later regretted) additional pint on the way back to the Beach Hotel.

- Thursday (Bungaroosh Walk)
The morning started with a long overdue step on to the beach and enjoyable dip in the sea. Colin, Derran and Steve all soaked in the salt water while Phil and Helena soaked in sunshine on the beach. After the refreshing swim, everyone except Martin met up at All Bar One for a guided walk by Colin who was in possession of a book on Brighton Walks Derran had given him. Martin took a number seven bus to the marina and walked along the cliffs towards Rottingdean, taking a coffee on board on the way. "Hot", he said. The remaining Brighton belles 'n' blokes began the bungaroosh walk which took them by the Jubillee Clock Tower, Crown Gardens and Caxton Arms where Martin caught everyone up after his cliff-top coffee. On to the Prince Albert which proved very popular with everyone, the mural particularly with Colin. So popular in fact, the full crew stayed for a few hours enjoying people-watching, idle chat and fake Porsches. Derran, fascinated by Irish bars and Guinness, suggested a trip to the Fiddlers Elbow before some of the crew headed for nap-land and some for The Old Ship Hotel. Here, there was ample entertainment from a singer, random Essex punters / dancers and games of pool and fags. Japanese restaurant Moshimo was elected 'spot for the last supper' (and very good it was too) before both the Bath Arms and The "Victory" were revisited to end the last night of this year's MMM.

- Friday (Farewell)
There was enough time before heading home for Derran to explore the pier and Mr Whippy's to be scoffed. Then it was back to Gatwick or Stanstead airport for flights home.

Doubting Thomas's questioned this year's chosen destination but there's little doubt it proved another roaring success and, in some way, goes to show that if you drop the Cape and its friends in a convivial city, it will revel. Thanks to all organisers and 'do-ers' who nailed their colours to the mast in making this Modern Mega Manor: you are The Cape.

View pictures on mobile device.

Some video...
Diagonally
Jack Pot
Bam Pot
Spit Roast
Room for Music
Fancy tHat
Show Me Heavin'
Beer 'n' Chips
Bangin' Volks
WPC Plod
Colin Needs a Nappy?
Jubillee Clock Tower
Karry-o-nee
Dave Gahan Dances in Brighton
Enola's Gay
Ghoolies
Who's a Fanny, Manboy? (available on request)