I was settling into my new home along the south east coast of Bexhill in east Sussex not far from Hastings. Hastings is a very photogenic town with many contrasts. Next to the town is the country park and early one Sunday morning it was my next destination for a good walk and some landscape photography.
Hastings Sunrise
When I first purchased the AA Walking guide to the south downs and Sussex back in my home in Pease Pottage I always wanted to do the walk in Hastings but from there it was a long drive. The furthest I travelled into east Sussex was to Pevensey levels. Not knowing back then I would soon be living and working in this part of south east England.
Being October the sunrise was later in the morning and parking up in Rock A nore carpark I was just in time to capture the sun rising over the horizon. Always a beautiful sight. I not have time to setup my tripod so just used settings on the camera for handholding.
Hastings East Cliff
From the overly expensive pay and display carpark it was a small walk through the Stade, to the east cliff railway which takes you to the top else you can walk all the way up the steps like I did with magnificent views over Hastings old town, the pier and the Norman castle on west cliff.
Quite a climb to the top of east cliff via the steps, would make a good spot for a sunset and long exposure with traffic light trails.
Country Park Walk
Once you are in the Hastings country park following the Saxon shore way along the sandstone cliffs it feels like you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of the town below.
It was now Autumn, with leafs falling and turning brown, dew on the grass and temperatures dropping, I love to be outside this time of year with my camera.
Covehurst Bay
Deep inside the glen on my way to Fairlight I took a detour down to the Nudist beach of Covehurst bay which is very secluded. There were no nudists this beautiful October morning, just me and again you could have been in a different part of the world not just a few miles down from Hastings town.
Well I did take my top off and lapped up the sun and sea sat on one of those boulders on the shore. Not exactly nude, but it felt good to be alive.
From Fairlight glen I made my way back over Hastings Country Park returning to east cliff and more of those magnificent views across the old town and beyond along the east Sussex coastline.
Back down in the stade around midday and lots of people about, the car park is full and they are queuing to take my place as I am taking my boots off. Oh already I am wishing I was back in Covehurst bay and most of these dont know it even exists. Like I said Hastings is very photogenic and makes for some great landscape photography. One visit was not going to be enough.