Buying a house is always a bit of a lottery. We found our Hastings house in the depth of winter at the end of 2010. There was snow and ice everywhere. Hastings was fairly unknown to us, and the house was acquired on a slight whim in order to get back on the UK property ladder. When we moved in, seven weeks ago, we discovered the special bonus of East Hill and the link to Hastings Country Park. Just opposite the house is the beginning of a flight of steps (177 in all, so not for the fainthearted) that brings you up to a grassy plateau with spectacular views out to sea and over Hastings Old Town. Our dogs are in seventh heaven - particularly because there is an abundance of rabbits munching contentedly away at the grace. Dogs, of course, never learn that rabbits are virtually uncatchable, but it doesn't seem to stop them trying.
The grassy plateau rises gently and merges into the Country Park and Nature Reserve, an area of 267 hectares stretching along three miles of coastline. The sheer grandeur of scale does wonders for the soul. And I like looking out to sea and thinking "France is just over there!"
People say how crowded south-east England is - and they're right. Nonetheless you can come across these unexpected areas of wild open space that make a wonderful contrast to the crowded roads and dense housing. I've not won a lottery prize before - not even a raffle, as far as I can recollect - but this time it does feel as if chance has played into our hands.
Antony Mair
24 July 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment