The sun is shining on another delightful morning here on Hartington Place, Eastbourne.

Our guests from the Netherlands have just headed out for a trek towards Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters (true pragmatic Dutch stylee, with sandals, packed lunch and ever-so-slightly wary children) whilst others prepare for the opera at Glyndebourne.

Our London journalists have just left with one last rueful look at the sea before heading back to the station. At least it’s an easy journey for their family – just an hour an half back to Clapham Junction and Victoria.

Whilst the children are at nursery and the wife is out at Zumba (is EVERY woman at it these days?!) it’s a rare opportunity to indulge in a pain au chocolat, mug of builders tea and a little rumination in front of the pc and appreciation of all that is good in life.

Maybe, just maybe, there will be an opportunity for a kayak fishing session this afternoon and the possibility of a bass or a few mackeral for supper, post five-a-side football.

Before I lose myself completely in a fog of smugness I’d best crack on with tidying up the dining room and carry up innumerable bags of laundry just delivered. This bed and breakfast malarkey is non-stop.

The sun’s feeling particularly warm this morning, the air the sweetest of the year and we’re skipping around the kitchen preparing breakfasts with beaming smiles – we’ve just been voted Number 1 in this morning’s Independent‘s Top 50 B&Bs!

Better dash – the sausages need turning….

I think I’m reasonably fit. My pasty chicken legs go vaguely whizzy when on two wheels and have been known to break into an occasional canter when confronted with hilly green bits, but even I had to gulp when considering the sporting opportunities hitting Eastbourne this year.

The 2011 Beachy Head marathon takes place on October 22 and will provide arguably the most scenic 26-miler of the year and certainly the most gruelling.

We’re always full of runners and their families for the marathon weekend, drawn to our Eastbourne self catering and B&B accommodation by our sporting heritage and carbo-loading breakfasts, but even aware of the inevitable comeraderie over porridge in the dining room and the reviving hands of the masseur we offer our guests here, I just can’t quite find the dedication to fill in the application form.

I regularly run some of the course, with the finale a death-defying vertical mudslide onto the Eastbourne side of Beachy Head. I was amazed at the finish of last year’s event to see how everyone bombs down in a fit of enthusiasm over exhaustion. Whilst I simply look to tentatively traverse across in survival mode. The last time I tried anything resembling a  stright line down I hit a wet patch, over-compensated and went head-first into a roll, retrieving my composure with a commando roll straight back onto 2 feet and away again in a joyous vision of fluidity, to a gentle round of appause from the cafe at the base of the hill.

If challenging yourself amongst spectactular scenery is what makes you tick you might also want to consider Endurancelife. Their Coastal Trail Series showcases some of the most exhilarating sections of the UK coastline with the toughest trail running series on offer. The eighth leg, Sussex, takes place around Beachy Head and Birling gap on March 26 this year, with 10k, half- and full marathons available, but irrespective of length expect an undulating route, with expansive views and an unforgetable experience.

If two wheels are more your bag why not take a look at the Eastbourne Cyclosportive, taking place on May 22, with entry now open for three routes.

The Cyclosportive is part of the Eastbourne Cycling Festival, a weekend of cycling events based on the seafront. It won’t be all lycra and inappropriate shorts – family rides will also be available as well as the time trials and road racing.

So, some pretty hardcore action on offer. Stay at The Guesthouse East and get prepared – on a Wednesday night enjoy the regular running club night with The Running Inn (as well as this red-faced ginger author) or perhaps a Friday night Circuits session with (Iron) Mike Ovens – let’s not hear any excuses about not being ready for it…..

We’re a boutique guesthouse in Eastbourne. Bang on location, lovely rooms, separate kitchens. You might know that already and, hopefully, appreciate it enough to have stayed here in the last year we’ve been at the helm.

Many of you have also made the effort to review us on TripAdvisor. Thank very much indeed if you have.

What you probably don’t realise is that if you recommend us to family, friends, the bloke at the bus stop you really shouldn’t be talking to, whoever, and they stay with us you get a £10 M&S voucher. Which for me equates to a decent  bottle of red and a bag of cookies. For you maybe a nice bunch of flowers or the right arm of a Per Una cashmere sweater. Just get them to tell me when they book that you were the reason they came and, hey presto, the voucher arrives on your doormat. Brilliant, eh?

If you have stayed here already you might well have forgotton that you get a 10% discount on future bookings. Nice. So banish thoughts of Autumn and see the sunny shores of Eastbourne again!

Just give me a call on 01323 722774 or take another look at our website to see what all the fuss is about.

The kayak has looked rather forlorn in the lobby recently following the latest family addition and the inevitable lack of opportunity to hit the water in Eastbourne. Two guests here took pity on it and gave it a run-out thankfully, facing the wrath of the lifeguards and launching in the no-go swimming-only zone, the little devils.

Not traditional Eastbourne B&B owners, perhaps

Having limited time for fun has meant new fitness tactics – snorkelling. Sadly my inept swimming has already led to a near miss by the groynes and an embarrassing beaching episode but at least it entertains the sunbathers.

We can be grateful the constant sunshine of the last few weeks has warmed up the sea a little. Not that the stream of family and friends have been tempted.  The beach-side cafe has some sort of magnetic hold.

If you fancy a stay at our boutique B&B in Eastbourne give us a call on 01323 722774 or check out the suites here

If you need further encouragement to head south and hit the downs, which finish, rather conveniently for the Guesthouse East, just down the road at Beachy Head and Eastbourne – The Sunday Times travel section had a centre spread this weekend highlighting that Britain’s newest national park has majestic monuments, stirring scenery and terriffic pubs (you’ll need to quench your thirst after a satisfying walk).

Book yourself a suite here (preferably with a bath to relieve those weary limbs) and reward yourself a stay at this award-winning boutique accommodation – self catering and B&B available.

It’s disorientating munching on Cheerios on a Sunday morning, gazing not upon the lapping waters of the Channel in Eastbourne but the murky skies of London.
It’s always a treat catching up with friends and an impromptu weekend away from our boutique bed and breakfast in Eastbourne, but it’s sad to have to postpone our pregnancy pilates and pampering weekend.
The micorclimate in Eastbourne is as real as ever, protected by Beachy Head and the South Downs – we’ve hardly had any snow on Hartington Place, set just back from the sea – but bad roads and icy pavements elsewhere is no place to risk an outing for a pregnent lady. We really felt for the mums-to-be (some had had the weekends as presents off loved ones, others were coming with partners primed for several hours of prodding and pampering courtesy of our esteemed masseur). The good news is that we’ve set an additional weekend – 29th/30th January.
So, if you fancy an introduction to pregnancy pilates and a weekend of pampering to feel at your best in the run up to the birth give us a call 01323 722774 for more details.

Feel like a hero – take a Christmas day plunge in the sea in the aid of St Wilfred’s hospice. Think of the great cause and the calories you’ll burn off – everyone’s a winner!

The meet time is officially 8am on the beach opposite the Langham Hotel but you’re more than welcome to gather here at The Guesthouse East, the boutique bed and breakfast on Hartington Place, Eastbourne. I’m not promising to rub you in goose fat but there will be a warming cuppa and you can scamper the 50 yards to the beach with an extra spring in your step.

For more information or to pledge support you can call or email Louise Teixeira at events@stwhospice.org or on 01323 731451.

You’ll be basking in a warm glow by 11am – think how many guilt-free After Eight mints you’ll be able to reward yourself with…

Given the amount of mouthfuls I swallow on every swim it’s just as well – the sea on Eastbourne’s main beachfront has been upgraded from ‘Good’ in 2008 to ‘Excellent’ this year. And that’s despite the increased numbers if all those ‘staycationers’ enjoying the homegrown sea air and fine views rather than skipping over to the med.
All we need now is for the clouds to clear, winds to drop temperatures to soar and we can put our cossies on and skip over the road for a quick dip!

There, I’ve said it. This irrepressibly cheerful Eastbourne hotelier – who recently smiled (ok, a thinly-veiled grimace) when a guest dropped coffee on a newly laid carpet right in front of me - has hit the point of annual cynical disappointment when Christmas breaks early in hotels and shops, with carols replacing the usual muzak and a nasty rash of baubles breaking out. I can’t wait for the tinsle hats to break cover. It’s only just November for goodness sake. Rest assured that the trimmings will be out (in a suitably subtle way) at The Guesthouse East since we’re open for guests throughout the festive period. Though you’ll have to be quick as bookings have been rolling in – it seems we’re perfect for friends and family of Eastbourne’s residents.

Maybe I’m just bitter after receiving notification from the council of a ‘public complaint’ regarding signage for the hotel. Apparently, because we’re a listed building we have to pretend we’re not a boutique B&B, should become anonymous, pretend we’re not here and certainly can’t have anything so distasteful as anything to help guests find thier holiday/business accommodation.

Still, the wife joins me here permanently from next week so there’s reason for celebration and joy and goodwill for all men. And women.