Touch the English Channel. Check.

Sunday, July 24^th, 2016

Hastings, UK

It’s 9am BST and I am waking up for my first (and last) full day in Hastings. Today is Pirate Day and it’s pretty much what you think it is. People dress like pirates and day drink... I can not freaking wait.

I have a full day to explore, so I start out with a quick run on the path by the sea. It’s not too crowded and the weather is amazing (sunny and cold). I end my run at a rocky beach and actually walk up to the water and put my hand in. I have a sudden urge to add “Touch the English Channel” to my bucket list so that I can cross it off. 

I am feeling accomplished as I slow jog back to my flat. After my post-run shower, I officially start the day with French pressed coffee and some unidentifiable British soap operas. I eat toast with jam for breakfast and am ready to head into town.

I start my day in New Town. My plan is to explore, shop, and hopefully purchase something that looks piratey. There is a mall and a ton of stores, but I cannot find any interesting clothes to buy. All of the stores look like TJ Maxx inside. I am disappointed, but I also understand that small town charm comes at a cost. After about an hour of looking around I decide to head over to Old Town. This is the home of Pirate Fest.

As I approach the arch separating Old Town from New Town I can already hear the festivities. There is a small, open-air market where I buy a pirate themed bandana and large purse with an elephant on it. Old Town is filled people and the bars are overflowing.

I decide to check out The Stade (a really rocky beach) on the outskirts of Old Town. The Stade is home to the largest beach launched fishing fleet in Europe. It's littered with old, but functional, fishing boats. Next to them is a fish market (mostly closed) and area of multi-colored storage shacks. This entire area is very run down and terribly picturesque. It has a grungy charm that seems to be lost on the locals.  

Next stop is the East Hill, which overlooks Old Town and The Stade. I take the funicular up, it’s only a short distance, but my feet are starting to hurt. The view at the top is amazing. There is a lone vendor selling ice cream and I am so charmed by everything that I cannot help but buy some. I spend the next hour or so walking around the East Hill, which is mostly nature, and taking selfies. The light up here is amazing.

Eventually I make my way back down to Old Town. I keep playing with the idea of going inside one of the bars for a beer, but I can’t really find a good place to sit. It is very crowded. Eventually I settle for making a few laps through town and then heading over to the grocery store. Determined to live like a local I purchase some groceries to cook in my flat. I also grab some beer that I have never heard of. My feet are very, very tired and my plan is to walk back up to my flat, eat a late lunch and then go back to Pirate Fest. As soon as I arrive, however, I realize that I am done for the day. My feet are exhausted. I can see the festival out of my front window and that is good enough for me.

I make my dinner and open up my Pirate Day beer. It’s not great, but I am going to power through it on principal. I spend the next few hours Skyping with friends and family from home. Once I am done with my calls I settle in to complete my binge watching of Bloodline. I have one more week of work in Battle before I fly back to Los Angeles.