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Oh, We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside! Last month 12 members of the group were determined not to be put off hostelling after the chilling experience at Wheathill because Dave had promised: "It’s luxurious in Hastings!". Was he as good as his word? Of course he was! Showers, nice, new, firm beds, various common rooms and Trudi’s sumptuous breakfasts and imaginative sandwich fillings - humous and watercress, yum, yum! - all contributed to an enjoyable weekend. Even entertainment was provided! It came in the shape of another group and their amusingly eccentric members. 
On Saturday the proper equipment you needed for venturing outdoors were goggles, a wetsuit and wellies, none of which we’d taken. While Lynn explored the sites of Hastings on her own with her cousin’s "two twins" (How many? No, not 4 - 1 set of 2), Janet, Chris, Richard, Trudi and Nigel went to Rye where they found a nice nature reserve and walked there as well as on the beach. Steve, Gary, Dave, Alison and Geli went to battle/Battle against the elements! We’d had a superb audio tour, but the highlight was definitely Derek, our Norman Knight in the gatehouse. He explained that he had to stay inside otherwise his chainmail would rust!! He let us hold his sword, arrows and shield, and as a special treat he also showed us his drawings of Norman architecture and such like which he normally only shows children! In the evening we treated ourselves to the most superb fish ‘n’ chips ever at the Blue Dolphin - thanks to Chris’ friend for the tip! On Sunday we woke up to a completely different picture: sunshine, and more sunshine. Just as well we’d waited until the Sunday to do the coastal path. With the expert guidance of Trudi’s friends Michael and Tricia, we walked up and downhill into Hastings to have more Blue Dolphin fish ‘n’ chips by the harbour wall! The way back consisted of only one steep climb and then an even path. Why did we lose Dave and Alison on the way? I guess we’ll never find out what really happened, but they caught up with us holding hands and beaming happily. When the word "tea" was mentioned we even found George again, who joined in the ensuing feast at Trudi’s friends’ place. Thanks to everyone who helped to organise this brilliant weekend. I’m looking forward to Arundel already! Geli
CYHA - The Web Pages! Gareth has recently given the Chelmsford YHA home page on the Internet a glitzy new look - so check out the new format. Dave has added many more luscious photographs from recent trips to make your mouth water and set your pen to cheque book for the next trip. Also included are all the recent newsletters, an e-mail contact page and links to several other on-line YHA Local Groups. Since it was first launched in July 1996 the site has had several hundred visitors from all over the world, and we’re currently getting one or two new visitors every day. We’ve had several enquiries from abroad about UK hostelling, greetings from members of other YHA groups, and even an e-mail from someone who was a member of Chelmsford Group 18 years ago and, recognising George in one of the pictures, asked "Does he still snore?" If you’ve got access to the Internet, why not have a look at: http://homepages.enterprise.net/garethlewis/cyha/cyha.html
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