Cyril & Lilian Bishop for RX134 site...

I had a chat with Tush Hamilton early this morning because I promised to solve the issue of which older lifeboat was planned to replace RX134 (blog), and he confirmed that they are planning to move the Cyril and Lilian Bishop to the site in front of the Fish Market and opposite the Dolphin Inn, and he should know! Still no idea when this would happen, as Tush said, still hurdles to cross. Both of the lifeboats need moving before they become victims of being dry-docked, and, after moving Cyril and Lilian Bishop it is hoped that Priscilla MacBean can be found a new home indoors too. 

Indoors? Tush explained that they hope to build a small 'lifeboat museum' around Cyril and Lilian Bishop on its, hopefully, successful move to the RX134 site, and then they need to find a suitable site for Priscilla MacBean.

Regular readers will be aware of my particular interest in RX134, also Cyril and Lilian Bishop and Priscilla MacBean, consequently, my interest in these developments, fingers crossed for the future... 

Whatever, I hope to continue the RX134 facebook page in her memory.

Hastings Fish: Keep On Keeping On!

The photograph above was taken this morning, about 06.00, and Hastings Fish Market is still open to the trade, and a fishing boat had just been launched from the beach (just out of picture to the left, heading eastwards). Further to my recent blog about Hastings enterprising fish industry, today I had confirmation from someone working down there (photograph above), that fish caught locally is still being sent over to France and Belgium, which is a good job considering that 90% of fish caught by the Hastings fishing fleet is exported! 

Also, I heard from elsewhere that some very tasty Dover Sole was available recently from one of the huts behind the market on the Winch Road, a lovely fish indeed.

Oh yes, and the Government has apparently woken up and started helping fishing ports and boats that are in trouble economically (Guardian).

Be careful folk and keep on keeping on!

Breakfast and Rugby at the Dolphin

Earlier this year (blog) I reported that Clare was now the chef at the Dolphin Inn, 11-12 Rock-a-Nore Road, TN34 3DW (website), but I have not eaten a Full English Breakfast there since, although I have had many excellent bacon (locally 'smoked' across the road) sandwiches, because I'm being sensible about my diet these days, and despite having eaten breakfasts all around town before, eg at the Anchor Inn (blog). But yesterday, I was there for the Rugby Union World Cup Final, along with many others of various ages, male and female, all of whom were a wee bit upset at the result, except 2 Scotsmen, oh well, I did enjoy my breakfast, ales, and the craic!

So, to the food, of the various breakfasts available, I had to chose the Full English, of course, as it's what I've always compared when writing about breakfasts before, and above you will see a photograph of my meal, costing £6.75, and the price including a mug of tea or mug of various coffees. This is a slight variation on the usual Full English, which includes bubble & squeak, but without the beans and fried potatoes.

They also have a smaller version at £4.25, a Vegetarian Breakfast, Welsh Breakfast, Kedgeree, GEG (a pretty special scrambled eggs on toast, but look up all the breakfasts at the website!), and a Classic Omelette, all at £6.75 and including a tea of coffee in the price too. Breakfast is available until lunchtime (12.00 noon, then lunch) every day, starting at 10.00 am on weekdays, but at 09.00 at weekends. Food is locally sourced, particularly from Hastings Fish Market, which is opposite the pub.

Of course there is always ale, including these 2 excellent guest ales yesterday, another guest ale (Harveys Old Ale yesterday), and 3 regular ales, including 2 ales brewed in Sussex, Dark Star Hophead and Harveys Sussex Best. But to the breakfast I ate!

As I said above, a slight variation on the usual Full English, with Double Bacon (Clare's own and delicious!), a Pork Sausage (very eatable), Fried Egg (perfectly cooked, only a wee bit runny), Plum Tomato, Mushrooms (should always be included in any Full English in my opinion!), Black Pudding (not everyone's favourite, but I'm happy to eat it), Fried Sliced Potatoes (liked these muchly!), Baked Beans and Toast (lovely bread). Also, they are always happy to omit or add other ingredients when asked, eg if you hate Black Pudding, which I don't, indeed, you can create your own breakfast! 😉

Anyway, good value, nicely cooked and presented, thanks to Clare and colleagues, but maybe I shouldn't leave it so long before I have a cooked breakfast next time...

We said our goodbyes...

We said our 'goodbyes' to Debby on Thursday, and I seem to be writing quite depressing blogs recently, so I avoided writing this one until today, though I did write the following on my facebook page on the day: 

"What a weird day... Attended the funeral of a friend I care about... who died way too young... Loved celebrating her life with others who cared about her too, but I know I'll never speak to her again, sad." 😢 

The service delivered by Jonathan Mendenhall was spot on (excellent Jonathan!), with 170-180 people present at the crematorium, the family present were wonderful to talk to, notably her mother and sister, as were the many friends, and many ex-colleagues who turned up too. There were tears and cuddles galore, and not a little laughter too. As someone else has said, Debby would have been proud, as we all were, proud to have known her, proud to be there and to have made our own personal goodbyes. 

Wonderful organisation all round, an excellent wake delivered with free buffet by the Dolphin Inn, including fish donated by the Fish Market, thank you to all.

Glad to have known you Debby, just wish it had been for much longer...

Debby Green R.I.P.  (19/04/1969-29/05/2019)  😢