Having lived in Brighton for nearly a dozen years, the beautiful architecture and wildness of the sea tend to become like wallpaper. Having moved away I appreciate the buildings and colours and styles that are special to the City and tend to take more photos and do more sketches when I return their for time with family and friends. The bluey-green and pinky cream are beautiful, although the ironwork quickly turns to rust, and the woodwork erodes in the wind and rots in the rain.

The bandstand was refurbished at the time of the Beijing Olympics so that would have been 2007. I remember it as I was sitting nearyby with my camera pondering the seagulls that were arguing with each other on the beach. A man, guessing early sixties, appeared at the seat and asked if he could sit on the other part. We chatted about Brighton and art.

The subject then moved to travel, as I explained I was off to do some distant trips including China. He sighed. He was hoping to get a Visa to go to Beijing to join in the peaceful protests there. He wanted to set up a VoxBox in Tianamen Square. He was truly disturbed at what he’d seen there and was determined to do something. He asked if I’d like to join him to take photographs, which I politely declined, not having the wish to be a political activist in China. I’ve no idea whether he was successful, do not remember seeing anything in the news or local press.

Beijing was interesting when I did finally get there. Bustling, dirty and with very inquisitive people. The brightly lit Olympic building (the Bird Nest) sitting amongst tall office buildings next to busy roads. People being ushered past in large queues of people with huge numbers of soldiers and police keeping everyone moving on and off the coaches that constantly arrived. Tianneman Square was packed on the day as it was Birthday time. Thankfully, the tomb was therefore not accessible.