I had a brilliant day today because Lucy and I walked for about 3 hours in the beautiful Hastings Country Park on a warm and sunny day.  It was challenging for me but I managed and feel great this evening.

I had half a melon and a huge cup of tea for breakfast.I made syn free potato wedges but chopping up potatoes, rubbing them with smoked paprika and salt and baking them in the oven at 200 ° for 30 minutes.  They were for a picnic on the beach.Lucy picked me up and we drove over to the Country Park and parked up near the Visitor Centre (near Fairlight Church).  The Visitor Centre was open today and we got a really informative leaflet with a much needed map.

The leaflet describes the Country Park as:

“A picturesque nature reserve of national importance with stunning coastal views sited within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The nature reserve has 345 hectares (853 acres) of ancient gill woodland, heathland, grassland and farmland together with 5 kilometres of dramatic sandstone cliffs and coastline.  Much of the area has been designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the unique wildlife & fossil rich soft rock cliff and slope.”

We then proceeded to have a really delightful walk; one of my favourites of the year.  The scenery was so beautiful and so varied.  Come and have a look.

This is the view from the Coast Guard Cottages, looking towards Hastings.This is the view looking back the way we had walked, towards the Fire Hills and Fairlight.Our destination was the little beach in the cove near Fairlight Glen.The scenery was so varied, it made for a very interesting walk.  I was only in trainers but it was muddy and slippery in patches so proper walking shoes next time and walking poles as it was very hilly and in places, very steep.A little waterfall.  I loved the variety of woodland areas and open clifftop areas with sweeping sea views. The descent down to the cove.  This was very difficult and I was glad of a rope someone had provided.We made it.What a perfect spot.  We nearly had the beach to ourselves and we sat and relaxed for a while as it was so warm and peaceful.I ate my lunch; potato wedges and celery sticks.  Not very exciting but I didn’t have time to make anything else and it was sufficient to keep me going for the day.  It was a long and steep walk back up to the top of the cliffs.We were blessed with perfect weather.  Look at the colour of the sea!It was a hilly walk and I had to stop to catch my breath several times – thank you Lucy for being patient.Near the end of our walk was a disused quarry so another scenery change.Near the car park is a cafe and having walked up and down all these hills and down to the beach and up again, we enjoyed a good cuppa.  I will be back here, that’s for sure as it was such a beautiful walk.Supper was a made up lentil and mixed bean curry.  I “fried” some onions in vegetable stock with fresh ginger and garlic, added ground cumin, turmeric and coriander and then added carrots, cavolo nero, and a tin each of lentils and mixed beans.  I added a smudge of maple syrup and the zest and juice of a lime to balance the flavours.I also added a large jar of passata and served it on a bed of rice with fresh coriander.  Nothing very exciting but nourishing and good enough.I haven’t had any syns today and no HEB and I walked for about 3 hours.  And had loads of fun.  So a brilliant day.