I have had an amazing weekend and feel tired as a consequence and happy.  It was the Jack In The Green festival weekend in Hastings and there were events on every day.  I had a very late and extremely enjoyable Saturday night when Sally and Lucy came to stay.  We had supper and a fair few beers in The Stag.  Greg, Clare and Millie joined us which contributed to a very late night!  On Saturday Harvey and I went to see the drum off in the Old Town which was very impressive and in the evening Lucy and I went to see the Lianne Carroll Trio which was brilliant.

Today was the main day of the weekend festivities.  I didn’t manage to be up and on the hill at 4:30 to see the Morris dancers welcoming the dawn.  But we were in the Old Town at 9 am to see Jack burst out of the Fishermen’s museum.

It was exciting walking over the West Hill and in to the Old Town, knowing we were going to see something special but not sure exactly what.  Shame about the weather but spirits were high.The costumes and make up were incredible.Cute decoration on a young boy’s hat.This family had been up since 3am to get blacked up and to dance in the dawn in Eastbourne.  Historically, this group of Morris dancers hailed from Shropshire.  They blacked themselves up with coal dust and goose fat so they were disguised because it was illegal to dance on a Sunday.This man’s costume was one of my favourites.The drama begins as we ready ourselves for Jack to break out from the fisherman’s museum.These costumes were all made in a local studio in Hastings by their wearers.This Mother and daughter looked very glamorous and the Mum had made both headpieces.  I loved how friendly everyone was and how willing they were to talk about their costumes.And here is Jack, so now the celebration of summer beginning  can start.More amazing costumes.Harvey and I wandered over to the High Street to watch the procession.

The procession pauses in the High Street so we can be entertained by the dancers.Here’s ‘Jack’, covered in greenery and wearing a crownOff he goes, up the hillWith all his followers.The streets were packed and there was a fantastic atmosphere.Here’s the fabulous Clare, looking amazing.Happy smiling faces.Hello again!This mural was painted in the Old Town.  Jack is coming and its nearly time to break him free.As we walked up the West Hill, the sun came out.I do love my new town.We got to the top of the hill and then saw the procession again which was an unexpected bonus.

Hello Greg

There were so many incredible costumesThere’s MillieI could have taken a photo of everyone, they were all so interesting!

We saw this drumming group in Hastings Old Town yesterday – they were excellent.  This was perhaps my favourite of the many drumming groups because they were very upbeat.After the procession, all the different groups performed.  I was enjoying watching it and was happy my sister Abi and family were able to join but it was actually quite cold, because of the wind so when they wanted to go and eat in a cafe, Harvey and I headed home.  We had been on our feet for 5 hours and felt a bit tired.

Tired but very happy as I walked though my door.  I love my new town and next year intend to be more involved in the festival.  It was an amazing sight,After a very long snooze I enjoyed a glass of red or two with rebecca and then managed to cook a delicious and nutritious dinner of 3 colours of quinoa with a stack of veggies, my favourite tofu (Taifun’s smoked tofu with almonds) and a mustard sauce.  We both enjoyed this meal.I go to bed tonight with many happy memories from my wonderful weekend.  This was my first Jack in the Green festival and it will not be my last.