A blog offers a wonderful opportunity for navel gazing and general self-absorbtion, but even I find it tedious to talk about myself too much. How could you cope??

Whilst I’m always open to tell you what’s happening in Eastbourne, I reckon it’s more interesting to see how real guests have enjoyed Eastbourne, The Guesthouse East and the many activities, sights and attractions within very easy reach.

I’ve added our very own Guest Gallery – where you can peer into others’ adventures around Eastbourne and Sussex.

I’m kick-starting with Kiwamu and his family from Kyoto.
Only here for day, they were on a mission to see Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters (which served as the backdrop for some of Harry Potter’s antics – v big in Japan apparently), but the wind was violent, the light fading and the wind battering the coast. Still, Sarah was away with the children for the afternoon so I took Kiwamu and the guys up to Birling Gap to experience the full might of the elements….

So…I’d like to see more of your photos, hear more of your stories and let you star in our blog (in lastminute.com’s Top 10 travel blogs don’t you know ) and in the gallery and from there you can share it with your friends and family (I’ve also added easy bookmarks for sharing).

Email pics to book@theguesthouseeast.co.uk and/or comment on the blog itself (just click on ‘comments’).
Thanks, Carl

Hmm, those ker-razy marketing folk at our local Beachy Head Brewery really excelled when they named their new beer recently.

Personally I head up to Beachy Head for the crisp, invigorating air, breath-taking scenery and abundance of blackberries late summer. You’ll be aware that many other visitors choose the 500ft sheer cliffs for a different purpose, particularly at key points of the year – as the perfect spot for their final moments and last goodbyes. So, to name your new beer Beachy Head Christmas Jumper perhaps isn’t the most sensitive new launch of the year.

Good work, chaps!

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.

My darkening mood could well be down to the cooler temperatures, windier conditions and autumnal air (or indeed the lack of opportunity to chase the soon-to-be-departing sea bass on the kayak). It might also have something to do with the end of the political conference season and the fact that I will no longer be gifted the sight of ill-fitting suits on conference delegates, laboured speeches and Jezza Paxman savaging the latest minister brave (or naive) enough to sit down on Newsnight.

It was disappointing to see that none of the main parties chose a seaside town as their conference backdrop. Perhaps the parties were keen to demonstrate a connection with supposed urban dynamism. A decision made pre-riots, perhaps? I can only imagine they didn’t consult their grass roots – the fine Regency splendor of Eastbourne or grey backdrop of Birmingham? Blackberry-ing on choking fumes or refreshing sea air? Boutique accommodation or the depressing uniformity of a chain? Perhaps the size of the car park provides sufficient redemption.

As an ex-marketeer I can appreciate the need for Eastbourne to re-position itself in the minds of the decision-makers who might not recognise the seismic steps the town has made to up its game; state-of-the-art conference facilties, a broad range of accommodation with over 7000 bed spaces and a superb location with picturesque countryside – a gateway to the South Downs National Park and only an hour and a half from London.

Remarkably, it was UKIP who decided that a seaside conference could provide an invigorating platform and plumped for Eastbourne.  Most of the big names chose the Grand Hotel (well, if you’re on expenses then why not?) but we did land a big-hitter and his family here at The Guesthouse East. Nice chap, too.

Suddenly, the clouds have lifted, with sunshine streaming into our kitchen. Perhaps the Indian Summer has returned and all is well with the world.

A Google Alert has just popped up on-screen highlighting that the Mission Worship is due in town soon and has already sold-out. Thankfully our returning regulars have already booked in with us for the event. They must have seen the light.

Carl

We’ve been extremely busy all summer here at The Guesthouse East – I’ve been putting it down to my porridge – but it seems we’re part of a much bigger trend according to a new study highlighted on BBC 1 (The One Show) and the Eastbourne Herald amongst others.

EASTBOURNE is the second fastest growing seaside resort – and the sixth most popular in the UK.

The number of staycations – Brits holidaying at home – is going through the roof, and the Sunshine Coast is one of the main beneficiaries.

Eastbourne is second in terms of growth in tourism-related businesses, the number of people employed in the holiday economy and the number of visitors to local attractions compared to the year before, rising by 11% year-on-year, much higher than other Sussex resorts like Brighton, Hastings and Worthing.

Almost five million people flock to Eastbourne every year, swelling the town’s coffers by an estimated £250 million every 12 months.

Many of those visitors are foreign families and students, but, according to new figures, an increasing number are English natives shunning the Spanish sun in favour of a short spell in the sunniest part of UK.

This upturn is indicative of a national trend toward seaside chic breaks – with many bed and breakfasts transformed into trendy boutique hotels and attracting more affluent tourists to the coast. Figures show those holidaying in the UK spending 23 per cent more during their stay than last year and that in total resorts has seen 21 per cent more UK visitors staying overnight rather than just enjoying a day trip.

However, there are some traditions that show no signs of abating. Six in ten holidaymakers quizzed as part of the survey said they planned to eat fish and chips during their break and four in 10 said they were looking forward to a stroll on the pier.

In fact, one in three holidaymakers say the traditional attractions at seaside towns was one of the a reason for deciding against travelling overseas.

Just in case you need another reason to visit (or just perhaps to run off those chips) we’ve teamed up with The Running Inn to offer another Running Weekend Course.

As well as boutique accommodation here at The Guesthouse East (check out our suites!) you’ll receive a fitness test, nutrition discussion, pilates for runners as well as personal trainer-supported runs on the South Downs.

There always a lovely, supportive atmosphere and it’s amazing what you can achieve after a bowlful of my legendary porridge!   Call 01323 722774 for more details.

Carl

It’s all part of our quest to fully understand what’s happening around Eastbourne; to immerse ourselves in the activities and opportunities on offer to provide the ultimate feedback and guidance for our guests. It has absolutely nothing to do with our enjoyment. Honest.

Hale and Pace, the former comedy duo, are now playing it straight, starring in the West End hit Murder by Misadventure at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne until mid-August. Hardly the most arduous couple of hours for us to endure as reviewers – nicely played, great set and enjoyable thriller – well worth a night out if you’re in town.

Should you be here with family we can now heartily recommend a couple of options.

Apparently 64% of urban children when asked where milk comes from replied Tesco (you can imagine the Daily Mail headlines). So, if you fancy the opportunity to get some mud on the wheels of your 4X4 (at least from their car park) and a chance to expose the children to some four-legged furry animals then Blackberry Farm, just off the A22, should be on your hit-list.

Collect some eggs, feed the goats, sheep and pigs, ride a pony, charge around the adventure playground and reward yourself with coffee and cake in their dinky cafe.

And who wouldn’t want to play train drivers for a morning at the Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway?  Straddle a miniature locomotive as it meanders its way around a country park, stroll around their lake and indulge in a cream tea (you might detect a theme here…).

So, a thoroughly exhausting exercise in the name of market research, but you can now confidently plan your next visit in Eastbourne.

Actually, I need to add that the mackerel have finally arrived in numbers so I suggest you also add a visit to the fishing shop at the end of the pier. Hire a rod and appropriate kit, target high tide and prepare to snare your supper. You won’t even need to dress them (as recent guests here from Germany/Japan discovered) – yours truly can take care of the gooey bits whie you can just sit back and enjoy. Really, the things I do for my guests!

Carl

I thought there might be a few people pottering along the Eastbourne promenade today, basking in the lazy mix of afternoon sun and holiday haze, but I could barely make my way through the stream of rollerbladers, cyclists and ice cream-lickers on my pre-marathon jog.

The sea is definitely warming up (I caught my first bass of the season this week – and they’re about as fond of chilly water as I am) and a few brave souls were spashing around in the shallows. Most of the action, however, was a little further out – with windsurfers and sailboats aplenty in front of Spray Water Water Centre, just east of the pier. You can hire everything from them, with or without tuition, so no excuse not to get out there and have a bash if you’re feeling energetic.

More kit and action is available near the Wish Tower – in the shape of kayaks for hire.

I came across a nice crowd who constitute Eastbourne Kayak and Surf - they’re open at weekends throughout May and then daily till the end of September, with kayaks for hire for only a tenner an hour so perhaps I won’t be the only kayaking there this summer.

I hope I see you out there at some point – don’t forget to say hello to me when you come across a sunburnt ginger, floundering around somewhere in front of the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne.

It’s your holiday in Eastbourne so we try to make sure you get whatever works for you and that extends to breakfast.

Bed and breakfast. Breakfast in bed. Full English through to healthy buffet. Indeed  even breakfast by you (we have self-catering kitchens after all). And now, after extensive research (involving cake-eating, sausage-munching and coffee slurping on an industrial scale) I can happily recommend Central Eating, a cracking cafe based just around the corner from us on Terminus Road, for when you fancy a wander.

Jason, the owner and general front-of-house, must have suffered a similar mid-life crisis to me given that he too jumped ship from corporate life to set up home and a business on our lovely East Sussex coast.

We even managed a night out for their official grand opening last weekend, attended by the MP for Eastbourne Stephen Lloyd. Fine (and varied) sausages and mash all round, so they offer far more than breakfasts, delicious homemade cakes and a top-of-the range Gaggia they call Gloria.

Mention us (or grab one of their cards off us) and you’ll qualify for a 10% discount. I suggest some Billionnaire Shortbread to get you started (although the wife would argue for the chocolate brownies).

It seems like yonks since the filming took place for Brighton Rock (here in Eastbourne last Winter) but momentum behind the forthcoming release is building nicely, with an article in the Telegraph magazine recently.

The new adaptation of Graham Greene’s 1938 novel features a heavyweight cast including Helen Mirren as Ida, the tearoom proprietress, John Hurt, the late Pete Postlethwaite, Andrea Riseborough and Sam Riley, best known for his portayal of Ian Curtis in Contol, the 2007 biopic about the band Joy Division.

Tim Fox Evans, our friend and photographer, took some wonderful shots of the filming from one of our suites here at The Guesthouse East and on the Eastbourne seafront, which I’ve held back until the promotional work has started.

This interpretation is directed by Rowen Joffe who went back to the original novel and has been able to ‘put back some of the darker and more perverse violence and sensuality that the book is shot through with’, according to the Telegraph interview. Can’t wait….

Eastbourne was home for much of the shooting – the retained period features and old school pier were the perfect backdrop (with Brighton simply too busy and modernised).

I can’t wait for the release and the chance to see this director’s perspective of both the novel and setting.

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.