Refreshing is one word for it. Let’s just say I needed the wetsuit for the inaugural swim of the year. And a bowl of steaming soup on my return. But the blood is certainly flowing again and we’re back in fine fettle after a hectic few weeks here at The Guesthouse East B&B in Eastbourne.

Swiss, French, Thai. Management consultants, teachers, designers. Young families, romancing couples and businessmen.  You can’t say it’s a bland crowd here. We’re completely taken over this Saturday night by an ecletic mix of walkers after the rigours of the South Downs Way. Better put some porridge on.

We still have some suites available for this Friday – self catering or bed and breakfast – and the chance to take advantage of my ‘Name your price!’ promotion. I’ve just had a lovely lady book on the phone who was obviously a bit embarrssed to  make an offer but delighted with the result. I suggest you give it a go too – on 01323 722774

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.

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!

Nostalgic, fervent and gripping and refined – no, I’m not referring to The Guesthouse East – The LPO return to Eastbourne with Brahms’ fourth symphony, arguably the composer’s finest achievement.

The performance at the Congress theatre, just a few minutes walk from Eastbourne’s award-winning accommodation, starts at 3pm on Sunday November 1st. Tickets from £12.

I think it’s quite telling that we don’t have a single guest staying here this weekend who’s visiting the Eastbourne Beer Festival. We even have a room free tonight for goodness sake (a rarity on a Friday night). Compare that with the next two weeks when we’re packed to the rafters with members of the Rotary Club, a cinematic production team and runners primed like coiled springs for the Beachy Head marathon. So does that mean we attract creative altruistic fitness fiends? Who’ll be running before breakfast with collection tins whilst wearing King Kong outfits?

Given that I have absolutely no operational experience of running a hotel this grand self-promotion might be based on thin ice. Ok, so there were  a couple of years backpacking around the globe enjoying/enduring a variety of hostels and hang-outs and the decade-worth of marketing (with far too much time in airport lounges and business hotels) but it’s different looking from the inside out.

A wedding at the weekend (fab day Anders and Helen, thankyouverymuch. You look well set.) provided the first break from my life running an Eastbourne b&b, with central Scotland the blustery backdrop and the Castle Campbell Hotel  the final destination for a bleary-eyed few. Despite the severe, Alcatrazian toilets and sufficient woodchip to pave a path around Loch Ness, the service and homemade shortbread won the day. A few tips to take back to The Guesthouse East in the bag at least. Even if I did leave it in the hotel room for the journey back home…..thanks Al for saving the day!

The Guesthouse East , the pioneering Eastbourne b&b,  has teamed up with English Vine Tours  to offer a weekend to remember in October.

The Guesthouse East, which offers chic but comfortable 4* accommodation, has won awards thanks to it’s innovative  approach (with luxurious self-catering facilities whilst offering the indulgence of bed and breakfast) provides the perfect setting from which to embark on a tour of some of southern England’s finest vineyards.

English Vine Tours is a unique, locally-based company providing local and national tours, offering the opportunity to walk through the vines, understand the inner workings of a winery and taste the wines in production. With over 20 years of experience in the wine trade English Vine Tours offers a blend of wine knowledge and experience to make your wine tour both enjoyable and informative.

A 2-night package starting on Friday 23rd October is from £129 per person, with accommodation at The Guesthouse East, with Saturday spent with tours and tasting at  2 vineyards, lunch (with a glass of wine), drop off, free gift and complimentary bottle of wine.

Ring Carl at The Guesthouse East on 01323 722774 for more details or to book.