Hastings

Another fine Saturday, and a chance to go out, this time to Hastings.  

The journey there was very straightforward; I got the train at Olympia, changed at Clapham Junction and changed again at Brighton.

Hastings is a nice seaside town; gone are the net cottages on the front, but it has not been completely spoiled and still has a character of its own.

In the morning, I got the bus out to Bodiam Castle, which is a National Trust property.    I had expected it to be a proper castle, but in fact it is just a ruin, but a very intersting ruin all the same.

Set in a tiny village in the middle of the country, it is well maintained, with plenty to see, although I didn't climb up any of the narrow staircases to the top.   But I did look at everything else, and talked at length to the miller's wife, who was dressed in medieval costume, went to see the cannon beign fired, and spent some time in the museum learning more about the history of the casle and its unfortunate destruction.   I also enjoyed a cup of tea and a cake in the cafe at the entrance, before getting the bus back to Hastings - they aren't very frequent, but they do stop right at the entrance to the castle.

Back in Hastings, I enjoyed the rest of the day looking round the town and also getting my hair trimmed.

Like so many places outside London, Hastings closes down at 5.30 p.m. on a Saturday - and also I suspect on all other nights.   But that didn't matter on this occasion; by that time, a tremendous storm was blowing up, and I hurried along the beach to get to shelter before the rain really started coming down.   I made it only just in time, as a flash of lightning and loud calp of thunder signalled the start of a downpour just as I was ready to go down the subway to cross the road.

It was obviously likely to go on for a while, so after waiting a short time I decided the best thing to do was to put up my brolly and head for the station - it seemed there was little chance of being able to enjoy a further walk along the front.