All shots this week taken down by the waterfront in Hastings. The boardwalk, the amusement park, the beach..all the things you’d expect to find by the seaside. People go to coastal towns on holiday and think how lovely it would be to live there. We all indulge this little fantasy in situ but then trundle back home and soon forget it like the fleeting dream it is.
They always say (not sure exactly who they are but just go with it) if you really want to know what it would really be like to live by the sea, go in the winter. And I have to say I have been in Hastings in the dead of winter. Dark brooding skies, pelting rain and wind gales so strong it’s like walking into a wall. It’s basically the weather you get at sea on land. Cos its just right there innit? And maybe that ‘s turning you off but I have to say I kinda love the dramatic weather. You really feel like you’re in the elements. It’s utterly invigorating and yes occasionally terrifying. The howling wind in the trees does sound deeply ominous and does conjure up images of mass ritual sacrifice wicker man style on the heath but to be fair I have seen too many horror films.
And it’s also not always like that. When the sun does poke its head out its glorious, the heavenly rays reflecting off the tide bathes you in a nourishing light that enriches your soul. And staring at the sea never gets old. The question is though..what would you do there if you did move there? Work is what binds us to where we need to live. So if you don’t need to work that makes it a ton easier which is why a lot of people in their 60s/70s have retired down there and that’s all well and dandy for them but if you still need to earn a wedge there are obviously minimal opportunities. I know people do the commute to London and back but I think if I was going to make the move I would want to go all in. In the meantime it’s just a lovely place to visit. And I know I haven’t depicted its unique picturesque charm but please google image it you wanna see that sort of thing.
I am as always more focussed on capturing random, touching and occasionally poignant moments in the lives of the inhabitants of wherever I am. Like this one above. In case you can’t read that, it says “Don’t do wifey shit for a fuck boy” which is difficult to argue with. The girl looked about 13 so not quite sure how she got so hardened to the realities of the gender wars at such a young age but maybe it was an over-protective parent who makes her wear it.
I will leave you with some enigmatic figures traversing the pebbled beach and a boat who’s name sums up how I feel whenever I am there….
Got one more week in Hastings to go and then we’ll be back to the big smoke..have a joyous weekend!
