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So the Lightroom application on my computer won’t open today and so can’t actually access any of my photos (i think my geriatric computer has finally given up the ghost) which means I can’t actually post the picture I was planning on..instead here is a shot of Mazzy, who is the reason we are coming to Hastings in the first place..bless her..she is the most delightful dog you could ever meet..even if she is slightly obsessed with balls.

p.s am hoping my OAP Mac might just need a bit of rest…see you tomorrow hopefully (eek)

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Cher Thanos has spoken! I will abide

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Anyone need cheering up on a Monday? Sorry did I say cheering up? I meant terrified..

(p.s I know there are some my subscribers (it’s not just you Grant) who still can’t see the photos in the email they receive and I know having a photoless photo blog is somewhat sad but unfortunately its your mail program blocking it cos it thinks its spam but good news awaits…to get around this wordpress have now installed a “read on blog” link which is just under the post title. So don’t delay click away..it might take a couple more seconds but think of the rewards..

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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!

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Nothing like being away on holiday to bond a family. Death of Conversation in full effect.

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All the photographs this week were taken on George Street in Hastings. Its a very picturesque pedestrian street full of bars, cafes and quaint little shops. It is also one of the main thoroughfares of Old Town and so you get an amazing array of characters strolling down there, both locals and tourists. It actually reminded me a lot of Portobello Rd so felt like a home from home and spent a lot of time there watching people go by and capturing the ones you see before you.

Sometimes you don’t realise what a gem of a photo you have until you review it later. It was only after seeing this shot that I spotted the Mr Happy Mug sitting right in front of Mr Grumpy. That is ironic synchronicity at its best. As a photographer you can’t ask for more than that. Although it’s probably me taking his picture who is actually souring his mood…soz mate.

It does seem that almost everyone in Hastings has a dog. Babies are also quite popular, although not everyone seems entirely happy to have them.

The thing about people watching is you believe through observation you can work out what they are thinking but rather than an insight into the minds of others it is much more like holding up a mirror to your own. Let’s all take a moment to reflect on how deep that was…

Like take this dude, he absolutely looks like he’s up to no good. Is that for real or judgemental assumption? Did I just catch him at a bad moment? And is it my imagination that the old guy is getting a grilling from his wife, the latest in a long long line of domestic beration?

I think what I really love about observing and also documenting my fellow man, woman, child and occasional dog is that as I fully immerse my mind in their perceived life it is a holiday from myself. When I dwell on them I am not dwelling on my own life. And let’s be honest we’ve all done that more than enough so I think it’s actually vital to have these welcome breaks from insular thinking by focussing on the internal workings of others. And whether projected or not, it’s still breaks the endless rumination. And that can only be a good thing. Not for them obvs. It’s tantamount to slander but hey ho…

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this was supppsed to go out yesterday..soz, forgot to hit PUBLISH. doh!

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Over the last 3 years the only place I have been apart from at home is Hastings. We go down there to dog sit for our wonderful friends (yes michelle & chris I am talking about you) when they are away. It is a mutually beneficial relationship as we love being down there and we also love their dog (yes mazzy I am talking about you). Anyway whilst down there I have also been documenting the characterful coastal town and its characterful inhabitants. And as my brain is back in gear a bit I am finally able to go through the photographs and share with you some of my selections, which I will do over the coming weeks…

So I hope you will enjoy this little visit to the seaside. Having been marooned in my local area for such a long time it was great to be taking pictures on a different turf. Hastings has a very unique vibe and doesn’t feel like anywhere else I have been in U.K so was very inspiring to photograph. This week featured captured moments that ignite an imagined story.

Like this dude..a one man walking disco. He actually looked a bit pissed off and quite charged up. He doesn’t look he’s going to bust some moves so I imagined he had just gone round to his ex to take back his disco ball which she had commandeered after the break-up and he had taken back what was rightfully his. “You can have the rowing machine but the glitterball is coming with me! I’m gonna have loads of fun without you..I’m gonna have a party and invite loads of people and it will be amazing and you’ll hear about it and curse the day you broke up with me and now every time you see a disco ball you’ll think what did I do? he was the best thing that ever happened to me..why? WHY??”

ok, I got a bit carried away there but you get the gist..

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Army training: conceal yourself wherever possible. You never know when the enemy will strike

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MYLDN 1904

Splashes of colour this week. Why? Well it’s spring innit? I know for most that would mean arty shots of tulips in bloom but as you know that ain’t how I roll…

This woman seems to have coordinated her outfit with her birthday balloons, which begs the question..which came first? Did she buy the balloons because they matched her clothes or did she go and buy a whole new wardrobe so she could fit in with the inflatable numbers? This is the sort of shot that keeps me up at night..

It wasn’t just the flash of bright orange which attracted me to these two individuals. I mean, come on, that is a serious look..just wow! I rarely engage with my chosen subjects but I just had to have a word and find out what was transpiring. They were putting up fliers for something called the 27club. And I was like oh, where’s that then? Some new local joint to check out? No, said the gents, all these people died at 27. Joplin, Morrison, Winehouse etc. Ok. right…I see..umm..and? Tragic yes but why lump em all together? To what end? And why post em on the wall?They didn’t really care to elaborate and so that was kinda that.

I have obviously veered off the topic of spring but really what else is there to say? Comes round every year. Starts getting warmer. Days get longer. Ok, think we got that all covered..maybe this could be a regular thing..recapping seasons..feels like a vital and important service..

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