We arranged a short break to Hastings at very short notice after the cancellation of our Inverness to Portsmouth Cruise. The main reason was because we had arranged for a decorator to do some work in the house while we were away and we didn't want to get in his way. It was a most enjoyable break to a place that Bruce had never been and Geoff had last visited as a child.

We travelled by train. While we were there, we explored the town and neighbouring St Leonards at a leisurely pace. We visited Bexhill by train, returning on foot via the beautiful coastal path. We also travelled to Lewes one day to meet up with our friends Colin and Tony and on one evening we met Zoe, a former colleague of Bruce's, for dinner.