Day Trippers

To celebrate my birthday, we decided to slip off once the kids were at school for a 'school hours day trip' to Hastings. As the sun was desperately trying to shine through, we took the dog too! We opted to park in the new town and walk to the beach, as I refuse to pay the (in my opinion) extortionate parking fees in the old town. Luckily we still made it just in time for some sand... 

The sandbanks make for some interesting pools and lapping waves - perfect for catching out the dog as he chased the seagulls!

Protecting something precious from the constant tides.

Behind the fishing boats, is the East Cliff hills, disappearing into the mists.

Lifeboat station with Hastings surrounding it.

As we had the dog, we decided not to take the tram up, but instead take the steps. He pulled me most of the way up, but I did stop to admire the view!

On a longer day out, we have walked over to the Firehills - fantastic views and tearoom - but on this occasion, the school bell beckoned.

Easter dino's

In a vague attempt to burn off the Easter Eggs, we decided to go fossil hunting at Eastbourne beach, down by Holywell Cafe. Free parking along the top, and views like these on the way down... a perfect start to the day!

There is often a 'slight' breeze on the beach here, and these groynes make excellent wind breakers. Just don't go running up to the edge - there is more than a small drop on the other side!!

There are loads of fossils here; look for places where the rock has recently fallen away from the side to reveal fresh new pickings!

The natural stream looking gorgeous in the sunshine.

These steps are at the far end of the beach, and take you back up to the top of the cliff, by the park / drinks booth / school. Much, much easier to climb if you have a dog pulling you up!

Easter sunset

Sunsets often seem to clash with the kids tea, and bath times and goodness knows what else, but as its the holidays, we managed to escape the mundane and make it down to Pevensey for a little bit of sunset and low tide magic...

Moons & tides

After a rather disappointing eclipse of grey clouds, the moon gave us some amazing tides! Sunday was super low, only 0.08m but with a better weather forecast for Saturday, we decided to get up earlier and forgo the difference of a few centimetres.

First one to the sea...

This seemed like the furthest point out, looking towards to Eastbourne. Of course the dog just had to go out a few further metres!

For anyone who doubts the quantity of sand at Pevensey, how about this? Miles and miles of high quality sand castle building stuff!!

Eventually we moved up the beach a little for some 'proper dog walking'

Bruce was keen to look for shells, so we moved up to the high tide mark - around 8m this weekend!

Of course, with such a flat stretch of sand, once the tide did turn, it didn't waste any time!

Tucked away in Pevensey Bay

Determined to press on with the recall training, I did the school run and then drove on to Pevensey with Bruce and a large box of treats! Pevensey Bay is great for dogs because its never too busy and there are plenty of bins along the top of the beach for the mess. I like to walk towards Bexhill, partly because there is less access to roads (for when the recall isn't quite working!) and because it always feels a bit more interesting in that direction. Plus there are two cafe / bars along the top! 

We did have a quick look towards Eastbourne, and went over to chat to a guy setting up his fishing rods. Apparently he always catches a few fish, certainly more than when he goes lake fishing, but I reckon its just an excuse to spend a perfect day enjoying the beach and sunshine!

Lots of the groynes along Pevensey beach are just there for arty sake nowadays! 

(And for Bruce to tangle up in with his lead)

Even though the tide had been coming in for a couple of hours by then there was still plenty of sand to run along.

My eldest always used to call these the lampshades of the sea!

The ultra low tide part two!

After our visit to Cooden Beach, we decided to go on to Bexhill which also has beaches all the way along the town centre and onto Glyne Gap (mmm, delicious cafe!). Taking advantage of the free parking which runs along the east side promenade, we picked our spot by the beach huts...

The curves of the sand were very arty!

Looking back towards Bexhill town centre; all those lucky people with views straight out to sea!

It was such a clear morning, we could see all of Eastbourne seafront... and St Leonards & Hastings!

There is no more space on this rock. None at all!

The sand went on for miles and miles and miles. In the end, we decided to go 'up top' in search of a late breakfast!