HASTINGS, EAST SUSSEX, OLDE ALBION

Poor old Hastings. It has such a reputation for chavvism, drugs and benefit culture, not to mention an intangible weirdness about the place that no one (from London) can ever seem to properly articulate. True - its remote location, trundling transport links (just beyond a 'reasonable' commute to London) and cheapish property mean that a percentage of the population remain an unemployable blight on the landscape. The historic seafaring charm of Hastings remains evident in some parts however, especially in the Old Town and along the glorious aqua seafront past St Leonards heading west towards Bexhill. So its off I go to the edge of the English Channel as soon as this rumoured redundancy kicks in and its an artist's life for me...well for about 6 months or until I turn into Old Gregg.

"Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."

— Samuel Johnson

"Why, Lady, you find no woman, at all intellectual, who is willing to stay in London. No, Lady, when a woman is tired of London, she moves to Hastings; for there is in London nothing that wallets can afford."

— Robert Smiths Tears

Stick that in yer pipe and smoke it.