Down on Hastings Seafront

BRRRRRR  - yep it is pretty chilly here. I've never owned a jacket with the fluffy inside the hood.. and now I can see why its so popular.. so warm.. so cute!!

We took the afternoon to explore the beachfront and what is left of the harbour in Hastings.

It used to have a huge harbour, but it silted up over a few hundred years and now all that is left is a tiny river and lake area.

Hastings is still a big fishing village, with the largest fishing fleet still calling this place home ( or whatever they call their home base)

The big black tall buildings I have photographed below are net huts - basically where the nets are stored to dry and all of the fishing gear is stored when not in use.

Many of these places are two stories and have cellars as well.

I've taken a photo of what is inside one of them ( its a tourist set up photo opportunity - but what the heck.. )

Day two in the mud

So , our next task was to tidy up the potting area - a huge task and not one which could be done in one day.

Below are the photos of what it looked like before I started.

After a few hours or slushing around in the mud - well over ankle deep in places, this is what I ended up with. I still need to get pruning sheers  and shovel in to get rid of that blackberry.  I have a bunch more to do further along the edge of the house - but its a start.

Along the driveway is mountains of mud and leaves.  Its still not finished, but it was mucky and heavy work to shift what was there.

I thought I'd include a photo of me every so often.. you know - so you know I haven't grown three heads.. or gone (crazier) than normal..

All is well here.. cold.. but good.

Bodium Castle

After a big day doing the garden, there was enough time in the day to shoot off to one of the nearest castles in the area - and one of my favourite photographic wise - Bodium Castle. 

Its your very romantic type  with the moat and the towers .

I can't believe after the terrible weather we had today that the sun shone for the exact moment we walked around the castle to take these shots.  Unfortunately, the castle was closed today as there is extensive flooding.  I'd been here a number of times in the past, but it was still a thrill to see it in its glory.

Bodium Castle was built  in the 1300s during he hundred year war. I seem to remember it was in the same family for centuries until the line died out, so went on to the crown or something like that.. 

The site was chosen to guard the English coastline against French, and was built as a defensive structure rather than for beauty, but I am sure you'd agree this castle is .. picture perfect.

We will head on over to the castle again next weekend and hope that the flooding is over its worst and its open by then.  Apparently, the museum attached ot it is very good - and it wasn't open when I was there last.