Sun and sea

A trip to Hastings on the East Sussex coast today.

The weather was outstanding - very mild, fantastic blue sky and sunshine.  

We had morning coffee on the outside terrace of a great French inspired vintage shop called Flushed. This shop was once a public toilet.Its a great conversion. Sitting in an upside down boat at the base of the cliffs, looking across at the old fishing huts and down to the sea, we could have been anywhere in the world.  Well, perhaps my imagination ran away with me.  

I often think that eavesdropping unintentionally on the conversations of other people,  can be funnier than listening to comedy sitcoms. As we drank our  coffee outside the little shop, the woman on the next (and only other) table said loudly to her companion "I am stocking up on tins of tuna fish because of Brexit".   What can i say ?

After a walk along the beach by the fishing boats,  and a browse around the interesting shops in the old town, we returned to Rock-a-Nore to have lunch in  a restaurant converted from an old fishing hut. It was a good choice and a great way to spend a post Valentines Day outing.

The fishing huts in Hastings are very tall black
wooden sheds,  known as the Net Shops. They are unique to this fishing town and can be up to three stories tall. Built from 1835 onwards they are protected buildings and most are listed. They are the traditional storage buildings of the Hastings fishing fleet and in the past were used to stow gear made from natural materials., mainly nets and ropes. (See extra)

One positive point about living in England  (there aren't too many at the moment) is that you are never more than an hour to the sea.