Eagle-eyed Art Deco fans may recognise the building in the background of this photograph as being the De La Warr Pavilion, in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. The flower beds to the east of this iconic building are usually full of bright flowers in the summer, and this year is no exception. I’ve been visiting this building for over 40 years now, from the time when my parents owned a house in the town. I spent many happy summer holidays here, so as I now live just 40 miles from Bexhill, I often pop down with my own family to satisfy my longing to be reminded of my happy childhood holidays!

One memory I have is of Scottish country dancing every Friday evening at the Pavilion during the summer, when anyone could join in and ‘experts’ would help you learn the different dances.

Others include swimming in the sea water swimming pool on the edge of Egerton Park (now filled in), eating great Chinese food at the Ming Hwa restaurant (still there, with the same waiter!!), watching the Red Arrows perform directly over the beach, and a host of other things of no significance or interest to others, but precious to me, as they remind me of time spent with my mum and dad. Now that both have passed away it seems strange to think that if I want to preserve those memories it’s up to me to pass them on to my children. Perhaps they’ll choose to remember them, relating them in years to come to their children, or maybe not. A reminder, I suppose, that everything in the end is transient!

Hi has also been a favourite place over the past 3 years. Perhaps that’s too short a time to get nostalgic? But even so, I will miss it once it’s gone! I’ve met new people (all virtually, none physically) and been wonderfully entertained and educated by the various folk I’ve followed from several different countries. So thank you everyone, it’s been great!

I hope to post at least one more message before closing time, but let’s see :-)