I have lived in Hastings all of my life and I have lots of lovely memories of the lovely Victorian Pier: buying ice creams as a child and walking to the end of the pier to look out at the sea and watch the fishermen, looking around the quirky little shops, and I even had my very first college party on the pier. My parents also enjoyed the pier and there were a number of bands that played there, including The Who, Hendrix, Genesis, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones. Not only is it a source of lovely memories, but it is also an iconic piece of our town's history. I can see the pier from my bedroom window and from the Castle and west hill, where I work part-time in the holidays, and that lovely view has now been spoiled...
It's a very sad day for Hastings... The beautiful Victorian pier has been burnt, virtually to a complete wreck. Not only is it sad because of the loss of the beautiful and historic structure, it is also a very sad day for the people who live in Hastings knowing that there are people who are capable of doing such a horrid, selfish and disgusting thing. It is very upsetting but it also makes me incredibly cross.
My mum and dad took photos of the devestating fire that was started in the Pier ballroom. One consolation is that two men have been arrested. I heard from friends that some people saw the two men jump off the pier after starting the blaze, and they physically sat on them until the police came to arrest them. This does restore my faith in humanity and the people of my home town quite a bit! Whether or not it is true, I don't know. But I'd like to think that it is!
I used to buy ice creams from the little stalls in the entrance to the pier...
The debris from the fire on the beach
The pier... still smouldering in the morning.
I came across this beautiful and dreamy Victorian cottage on the New York Times' website. Sandra Foster turned this little hunting lodge into the romantic Victorian cottage that she had always wanted. The only way to reach the cottage is via a stream with a rocky bridge. It's like something straight from a fairy tale! It's so adorable, I absolutely love it!
I was the sort of child that dreamt about having treehouses and secret hide-outs. This has continued to this day... I know that in my dream home I would make the architect plan in a secret room, preferably accessed through a secret door in a bookcase. So the fact that the cottage can only be reached by tiptoing across a stream really appeals to the big kid in me.
Sandra collected fabrics, vintage crockery, the chandeliers, and other shabby chic treasures from flea markets or made them herself. She also decorated with handmade tissue paper flower garlands. I love the cooler shades of white and green used in the cottage and the billowing and draping white fabrics.
This lovely sachet was made by a local artist that Sandra acquired and used to adorn her pantry door.
How magical is the sleeping area? I just love it! This is like the ultimate (and most amazingly gorgeous) bunk bed! It is only accessibly via a ladder. I could just imagine whiling away the hours here reading books in my own little world.
Such a beautiful shot.
