14 August 2010 Giant Gnome

We had a quiet, rainy Saturday here, which we welcomed as each of us had indoor things we wanted to do: AC worked on the new business he is setting up; I did some writing and research; Sam trashed the living room. It was all good. At one point I happened to look up and out the window and saw a giant red gnome head being erected on the seafront nearly opposite our flat. I called out, and everyone ran to the window to watch the giant gnome head sway and twist and bob in the wind. Then, without warning, a gust pushed it over into the pedestrian/bicycle path alongside King’s Road, where it nearly crushed several people. Then we saw a gaping, white gash in its side. The gnome never stood up again. In a minute, it was entirely deflated. And then it was gone.

The whole event took under 5 minutes.

Why there was a giant, red gnome head on the seafront today for a few minutes is something I’ll probably never know. But it was a useful lesson to look up every now and then. You never know what you’ll see. Especially in Brighton.