Cockles, mussels alive alive o!

As we wandered around the harbour, we came across a few fish bars. These are tiny hole in the wall type affairs which sell just one or two specific things - such as rollmops, mussels, cockles, whelks, prawns, lobster tail, jellied eels etc.

We went to a bigger one which sells most things - all still in tiny styro cups and toothpicks to eat them with - nowhere to sit - you order, pay and walk away with it.

One thing I can't come at is jellied eels. I have tired them before - in Portsmouth when we lived there - they were a big thing to eat.. gag gag barf... gross..

I have promised the kids that next time we come down, I will buy some and we will all eat it.. I will try not to vomit - perhaps my tastes have changed.. so shouldn't be so negative...

I've never had whelks before - so of course........ had to try them.

They are a sea snail - for those of you who don't know what they are.. Morgan liked them, but Lilly gagged and refused to eat them. I thought they were pretty awesome.

I love rollmops!  Adrian and I used to eat them alot - espec as he went to Norway alot for business when we lived in the UK.  These were THE BEST I have ever eaten. Man , the herring was perfect, the pickle spicy and crunchy.. wow.. amazing.

Both kids enjoyed them and have asked since to have them again...

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.