Yesterday (Saturday) I walked over 19,000 steps and ate reasonably well but not brilliantly.  I have not been losing weight lately, despite the walking and if anything, am putting some on.  I must focus more as I have not put much effort in to dieting lately.  I eat lots of healthy food (fruits, vegetables, lentils, beans, whole grains) but also a lot of high fat and stodgy food such as crisps and humous, popcorn and way too many lattes.  So I will try much harder from tomorrow.

But this weekend was about having some much needed fun rather than focusing on dieting.  My weekend kicked off with a late and drunken night at Sarah’s (I know it was drunken because I woke up feeling dreadful and remembered singing and dancing round Sarah’s kitchen ) but I still got up at a reasonable hour on Saturday and drove down to St.Leonard’s and Hastings.

St. Leonard’s seafront was peaceful and quiet. I have never been to St.Leonard’s before and was enthusiastic about walking around to see what it was like. I needed a coffee and some breakfast so popped in to this coffee shop.  I was surprised by the lack of choice along the seafront as I expected to to be busy and bustling and filled with coffee shops and bars.Poffleys was all very mediocre.  I ordered roast veggies and humous but I assumed it would be warm, not fridge cold.  Not quite what my fragile self fancied but it was the only vegan option on the menu so I went with it.  The coffee was good and the lady who served me extremely friendly. Clever dog, being able to read!Still very quiet at about 11:30am and the sea was incredibly calm.
St. Leonard’s did not really rock my boat so I headed over to Hastings which I find far more charming and appealing. I find the Hastings beach area, the Stade, quite fascinating.  There is no harbour here; instead the boats are winched up on to the beach and there they sit,on the pebbles until they are next put out to sea. Inland from the Stade is The Old Town, a maze of streets and passageways, that wend their way up and down the hills between the East Hill and West Hill.  Some of the houses are very old – built in the 15th and 16 th century plus other houses added over the years ever since. I met my sister Abi in the Old Town and we had a lovely potter about. We had lunch in the Land of Green Ginger with Lara who came down from London on the train.  I appreciated the menu telling me what was vegan. I had the falafel’s and they were very good. After lunch we pottered about along the High Street and George Street where most of the shops are independent, quirky and interesting. Four Candles? This shop is fascinating and I wish I could have a look around the upper storeys. The imaginative displays make shopping here such a pleasure.  Beard shampoo anyone? I wonder why they have so many hooks in the ceiling. Before heading home we had a drink in one of the charming pubs in the Old Town. Today was Mother’s Day and I had a wonderful day.  Lara and Harvey were both home with me all day.  They had chosen sweet little cards and presents, which were presented to me with a posey of flowers from the garden.  They made me shepherds pie and chocolate mousse for lunch and then cleared everything away which was such a treat.  We went on a good walk in the woods and other than that, I have had a very lazy and relaxing day, which was just what I needed.

Thank you to you both, I feel very lucky.