Hastings rules!

Finally getting a sense of Hastings now, after days of feeling totally lost. The Old Town is the heart and soul with tiny laneways and passages and quiet backstreets full of great second hand furniture shops, full of all sorts of great pieces and odd curios - today we found an antique ladies douche set. There are also great shops selling vintage stuff that has been given a makeover and there is also a brilliant organic bakery, a cheese shop and several bars and restaurants plus a tiny cinema staffed by a transvestite usherette. Along the seafront, Europe's largest beach launched fishing fleet provides fresh fish to fish stalls and fish and chip shops, there's a fun fair, a closed down pier and a long pebbly beach that runs to cliffs. Up on the two hills (the West and East) are parks with fine English Channel views, picnic spots and miles of walks. In the main bit of town (where we have bought our house) there are all the usual high street shops (including M&S that I'll be able to walk to!), cinemas etc.
Yesterday we packed a picnic and headed north into the East Sussex countryside to Bodium castle. I hadn't been for years and it was lovely to be back. We joined the National Trust on the spot so we can rummage around castles all over Britain. The kids loved climbing up the castle towers and looking for ghosts.
We are now housesitting for Maggie in Hastings Old Town and loving having our own space. We have been moving between Dad's, Maria's and Helen's and although everyone has been very hospitable, having 4 extra people in your house obviously changes the dynamic. We have been able to have dinners at home and watch the brilliant British telly. Am besides myself with joy that tonight we can watch a documentary about tv legend Bruce Forsyth. Thank God for Channel Four.