The wife didn’t appreciate my attempt at reassurance. Apparently being told we were fully paid up with the life assurance wasn’t the authoritative response required to her safety questions.

The ledge outside our top floor suite is at least two feet wide and the moss isn’t too slippery at this time of year so despite being 50 feet up in the air it didn’t feel too precarious when I was out there painting today. Not when I could cling by my fingertips to the window frame and almost reach where I needed to paint. Besides, it made me feel like a freeclimber, but without the abs of steel and perma-tan.  And at least you get to see a nice view of where I was on our blog.

Yes, mid-November and the inevitable slackening in custom brings many opportunities to hoteliers who scoff at exorbitant quotes for simply re-painting the building exterior.

Perhaps I should busy myself with an Evening with Peter Aliss at the Congress Theatre tomorrow or check out the Southern Youth Ballet’s forthcoming production of the Nutcracker.

My fitness would would certainly be improved by another run up to Beachy Head and back and, well, I might even feed the family if I take advantage of the ongoing mild temperatures and lightening winds and head out for a fish off the kayak.

But I fear that by mid-morning tomorrow onlookers will again be rubber-necking in disbelief at my middle-aged madness. I can only hope that before you next cross our threshold you raise your stare to admire the pristine paintwork overhead. And if the blog goes quiet from here you’ll know why.

VAT’s gone up. Inflation is following suit. Job cuts are in the air and it would appear that Britain is battening down the hatches. Thank goodness no one seems to be telling our guests.

A busy Christmas and New Year here at The Guesthouse East with a typically eclectic guestlist; escapees chrerishing life away from London, a writer seeking inspiration, stranded transatlantic travellers and a number enjoying festive visits to family locally in Eastbourne, but equally finding delight in the space (and tranquility….) of their suites.

I felt a pang of guilt yesterday suggesting to a lovely couple that the clear blue skies they could witness from the breakfast table made for perfect viewing at Beachy Head so off they walked. Straight into a downpour. Sorry guys. At least you got to enjoy the warmth and creativity of the latest exhibition at the Towner Gallery – Tamoaki Suzuki’s only solo event in the UK this year, featuring his figurative sculptures.  Well worth a visit, especially if you’re slightly damp.

And if you need some plain old economic encouragement to visit this month how about the offer of a free night? Stay for two nights and get the third night free. Crazy, indeed. It’s the least we can do when times are tough.

Call me on 01323 722774 to book your slot now.

Health and Safety would have had a fit seeing me stumble blindly around in the unlit loft searching for the decorations but we’re almost set up for Christmas in Eastbourne at The Guesthouse East. Almost - half the lights have gone AWOL since being packed, the sherry is already drunk (well, it was my duty to sample the bottle to ensure it was appropriately delicious for guests) and my back has barely recovered from the recent snow-shovelling (which would have melted overnight anyway).

While I’m still firmly entrenched in bah-humbug mode, it seems others are being far more proactive – we’ve been persuaded to offer vouchers to stay here for Christmas gifts, so if you are stuck for ideas there is still time for us to personalise a voucher for you for as little as £70 for a night’s stay for two people. Surely a better idea than a dressing gown and bath salts??

If you can’t stomach giving away such delights can I suggest a getaway for you? We still have suites available for Christmas itself – and we have a frankly Ker-razy December offer, giving away a free night when you book two. I know, bonkers. Call 01323 722774 now to book.

If you know you Latin from your Ballroom, your Cha Cha from your Tango, you’ll be keen to hear that two of Strictly Come Dancing’s top stars Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag are putting on a performance at the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne this February.

If you missed the sell-out tour last year be quick to book now – and while you’re at it, book some handily-placed accommodation in Eastbourne, such as the suitably chic hotel Guesthouse East on Hartington Place. Double suites are only £70 per night mid-week in February so dust off the DJ and polish the patent leather. Check availability.

Morris dancing, brass bands and dancing in the streets and on the beach. All in Eastbourne and all quite surreal. But the way my toddler was jigging about on my shoulders and the crowds I’d say it’s a huge success – we’re only taking a breather, waiting for friends and then we’ll be back out there for more shenanigans.

It might be icy, dicey and apparently a white Christmas around the UK but no one had told Eastbourne to conform. Tropical might be pushing it, but it’s definitely mild with a hint of freshness in the wind. Perfect for walking off too many Thorntons chocolates.

When we bought The Guesthouse East back in August I have to say I had no idea so much happened in Eastbourne and what a great position our B&B enjoys. A bit flukey but it helps explain why we’re always busy. Take a look to see if we have any rooms free and join in the antics!

My body seems to be telling me to slow down. Or at least to ignore Mike’s ‘encouragement’ at the regular Running Inn training sessions on a Wednesday night when we enjoy (or is that endure?) an array of different workouts along the Eastbourne sea front.

Mike’s definitely the bad cop of the dynamic team (no doubt thanks to the military background) with Fiona providing the soothing voice. Thankfully there’s a full range of ages and abilities with an opportunity to hide in the pack but inevitably my competitiveness will kick in and I’ll look to cling on to the A-group of serious runners, with their marathons in the bag. Still, they seem to tolerate my clumping steps and gasping  behind them and I’ll get a bit of encouragement at various breaks.

Getting ready for action

The Guesthouse East, the boutique hotel on Hartington Place, is always the start point, from 7.30pm on Wednesday evenings. Just pop along to sample a session and Mike and Fiona will talk to you about the club and the variety of training sessions on offer and you can meet the members and enjoy the banter. You might even want to sign up to one of the training weekends, where you’d receive a fitness assessment, pilates taster session, nutrition workshop and massage – as well as personal trainer-supported runs on the South Downs.  The next course is 22-24 Jan so a great chance to lose those mince pies!

As for today, I think some stretching is in order and Beachy Head is definitely out of bounds…

Chill wind, frost-bitten fingers, a precarious ledge and vertigo. A great combination. Hotelier life in Eastbourne with a Grade II-listed property is nothing if not rock ‘n roll – a spot of pointing above a window bay has been the crescendo of the morning after seamlessly adopting the roles of cleaner, financial analyst, website optimiser and bookeeper. And a nice sounding chap is on his way round to look at a suite so I’d better get my customer-facing head back on, dust myself down and look vaguely presentable.

Given that I must be on about 37p an hour (if I if I did the maths) I should make myself available for contracts – the minimum wage sounds VERY appealing…..

lastminute.com top 10 travel blogs - The Guesthouse East is apparently helping to modernise Eastbourne – the face of new Eastbourne accommodation maybe?

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!

We’re in a recession. Unemployment is rocketing. No one is spending any money, least of all on discretionary items like wallpaper when there are mouths to be fed? Can someone please remind the tradesmen of Eastbourne!

First it was the roofer who, after finally agreeing that 3 weeks on Tuesday, if its warm, with a moderate south-westerly and if his nag at the 4.30 at Kempton comes in, might just turn up to do some work. Only he didn’t. Or call to say that he wouldn’t. Nor return any calls.

Then there was the decorator this week. Or rather it should have been last week, but that turned out a bit tricky. So it was Sunday instead and then today and, after being cornered at his shop (did I forget to mention I’m also supposed to be buying a stack of expensive furniture off him – something else motivational you might think?), he suggested he’ll pop round very soon to do the work he’d priced up weeks ago. Yes, you can make the rest up….

Ok, we’re 4-star not 5, silver-rated not gold (I’ve no idea what either means) but surely a self-respecting B&B can make an effort to look vaguely dandy. Don’t say we didn’t try.