On Board

naked cyclists in front of the Brighton Pavilion

Brighton is a rollercoaster of a seaside place. Sandwiched between the South Downs and the sea, day tripper, London commuter, hedonist, gourmand, and those seeking an alternative lifestyle can all be accommodated by this most cosmopolitan and tolerant of cities. And it is here that we have what we term our 'rooms' for those times when we stray from Hungary.

And for the past month of May, 'London-sur-Mer' became, as is the case each year, a hive of cultural activity buzzing with lunchtime recitals, literary events, exhibitions, concerts, dance, drama and the 'Lady Boys of Bangkok'.

trompe l'oeil by Diane Brandrett at an Open House

On every weekend throughout the Brighton Festival, some 1000 artists at over 250 venues hold 'Open House' in which an impressively varied range of work is on show. Although tempted by a painting by Cyril Mount, former war artist, now ninety years of age and still a rebel with a cause, this year our hearts were stolen by Diane Brandrett's 'South Downs Way', a gilded oil on board which invites the viewer to stroll through the countryside so very typical of downland Sussex.

Diane Brandrett's 'South Downs Way' finds a new home in our drawing room

Diane's work as a restorer at the Brighton Pavilion means that she is no stranger to gold leaf, applying it to arches and architraves, finials and frescoes, pediments and pilasters, all in connection with reviving the regency splendour of yesteryear.

And so as the dying rays of the sun burnish the painting's skyline, a corner of our Budapest drawing room becomes bathed in perpetual golden light.