Hastings Beach fishing fleet

It's Susan's mum's 92nd birthday today so we took her out to Hastings for the day for a fish and chip lunch and a mooch around the old town and beach.

Fortunately it was dry but with a very strong and gusty wind that spoilt the day a little as the extra shows. Fish and Chips were good though at the Regal, an unassuming cafe on the seafront which takes only cash and, as far as I can remember has been run by the same people for years. Good as it was, for me the Mermaid still remains the best place in Hastings for fish and chips. We were planning to have an ice cream at the end of the day however, the wind persuaded us to drive home instead.

Hastings fishing fleet is unusual in that it is beach launched, the largest such fleet in the UK. There's always chance of a blip in this colourful and chaotic place. In addition to the working boats there's always mountains of rusting equipment, old boats surrounded by the detritus of fish and fishing. Lots of tall, black net huts are a feature of Hastings Old Town along with many huts selling fresh fish. Lots of fish and chip shops too of course. It seemed like every other shop was a fish and chip shop.

Back home we enjoyed a celebratory drink with nibbles while Doreen opened her cards and presents and talked to members of the family. The day was rounded off with the obligatory birthday cake.