O, I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside On A Miserable Weekday In February

[poliphilo]

 I thought Hastings out of season on a wintry Tuesday would be empty- but it wasn't. There were even school parties- probably from overseas- following their responsible adults around the Stade while the wind blew icy rain in their faces. We mostly stayed indoors. The place we went for lunch had been a cheap and cheerful café last time we ate there but is now- under the same management but after a refit- offering ambitious seafood dishes and a wine list. Three of us had seafood linguine. It's a long time- possibly decades- since I last peeled a prawn. After lunch we went to the Museum- and it was holding an activities day- and full of parents and kids- and the grandchildren spent twice as long there as we thought they'd manage.

Comments

[sovay]

After lunch we went to the Museum- and it was holding an activities day- and full of parents and kids- and the grandchildren spent twice as long there as we thought they'd manage.

That sounds really nice.

[poliphilo]

We have a five year old and a two year old and they found enough in the Museum to keep them occupied for just over an hour.

I like local Museums. They are full of surprises.

[shewhomust]

That sounds like a wonderful day out.

(It's probably half-term, you know.)

[poliphilo]

It is. Or at least it is in some places. That's how come our five year old is free to be gallivanting around the South Coast.

[cmcmck]

Hastings is fun in whatever weather!

[poliphilo]

It certainly is.

And the Museum is great. They have the pick of Annie Brassey's collection of fun objects from around the world. Plus a room devoted to Archie Belany/Grey Owl and the wonderful Durbar Room which was carved for some exhibition or other by authentic Indian craftsmen. I was only disappointed yesterday that most of their ships' figureheads seem to have been put into storage. I love figureheads.

[cmcmck]

Me too!

Chatham has a rather fine collection.

[poliphilo]

As does Greenwich