One of my bestest friend's lives in the old town part of Hastings in a small and perfectly placed flat above the town's most popular restaurant, Lathams Brasserie. Lucky for us, this meant mattressed accommodation was provided for free in her lounge and also that we had the most exquisite tour guide.
This resulted in a fascinating couple of days...
Giddyness of sea air mixed with Cava on our late arrival on Fri ended up in all night chit chat and cheer before leisurely strolling up the West Hill to watch the sunrise. On Saturday we were really in the spirit of things and ate fish, chips and mushy peas for breakfast (well, it was 2 o' clock in the afternoon after all!). 
We then manically hunted out some seriously fantasy worthy furniture in the many fantastic antique shops. My boyfriend found a brass nutcracker in the shape of a dog as gift for his dog-loving previous boss, (he was probably the most chuffed I've ever seen him), and I created an entire imaginary period home filled with antique trinkets, an Art Deco desk, an Edwardian four poster bed and giant golden frames adorning the walls..... Ahhhh one day....
After some whelk eating on the seafront and a siesta, our exquisite tour guide set about gently convincing us to go to an amazing party.
Hastings is one of those places, that is not in yer face, but a definate underground and bohemiam lifestyle is easily accessible to those 'in the know' (e.g my friend that we were staying with)! So like two lost scruffy London foxes we got into taxi with her to a nearby area called St. Leonards to a 'surrealism' themed party taking place in a masonic hall. We arrived in a mind bogglingly quiet street where some giant white pillars marked the entrance to the hall, looming on outside steps were some visually extreme party goers dressed in a array of very thought out costumes that included a human red curtain, a sexy purple octopus complete with purple stockings to match, a naked 'Adam' (of Adam & Eve fame) wrapped in ivy and sporting a Chinese style parasol to shield his dangly bits from the non-existant sun and a very distant looking vintage bride. It was completely random to say the least and world's away from any kind of tacky costume shop attire, everything seemed to have a deeper artistic meaning and slightly eerier undertones to match. Inside, live poets performed amongst art instillations and people of all ages chatted in corners. 
In honesty, it took a while to 'get into the groove' yet it was compelling at the same time, just when I was feeling like Alice in Wonderland, I looked up to see a familiar face chuggin' on a fag on the steps outside. It was none other than Tom Chaplin (lead singer of Keane)??!! Fancy that? In a party so secret that that I wasn't allowed to take any pictures or film (trust me I tried my hardest to share this experience with you!). He then proceeded to play Oasis classics on the piano whilst everyone, including the purple octopus & red curtain sang along until the bar closed at 2am? Surreal to say the least. We retreated back home startled by our evening but glad to have experienced something utterly out of the ordinary.
Hastings is a wonderful place.
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Gemma xX