Forty eight Oddfellows and Friends have had a splendid day out in Hastings. The Plan-It-Travel coach picked up most at Oxford Road and the rest from the Flower of Kent, where the cars could be locked in with the help of Fred Breed who have come down to unlock the gates. The Coach left the Flower of Kent at 10:30 arriving in Hastings at Noon, the driver had to take a small detour due to heavy traffic but as soon as he made a right turn and we could see the sea, there was a loud cheer.

The driver informed us prior to leaving the coach to meet back at the same place at 17:30. After we got off the coach we all split up and went our separate ways. Christine and I walked to the Old Town and had a lovely meal of Cod and Chips at the Mermaid, at first we thought £6.10 was a bit expensive but soon discovered this also included the chips. At different times we all walked round the shops and went round the museum, some found a pub with the Cup Final on to see Stoke being beat by Manchester City, our video watched it for us and we will watch that tomorrow. Whilst walking round Hastings we bumped into Michael and Pauline Josling, they had not been on the coach but had arranged to go to the Wheatsheaf and join us all for a meal.

The weather had looked a little doubtful, there were a variety of forecasts some predicting rain during the day and others that the rain would not fall till 21:00. As most of us made our way to the coach at 17:15 there were a few spits of rain. The coach arrived a little early but was unable to park in the same place so we crossed the road and did not get wet. All on board and Pam did the roll-call read out and confirmed all there we made our way to the Wheatsheaf. As the bus entered the roundabout by the Wheatsheaf we were all pleased to see Trixie and Dennis Anderson crossing the road, formally from the Home of Flower Lodge. They too joined us for the meal, it was nice to see them.

The service and the food at the Wheatsheaf was first class and what a choice on the menu, three courses for only £7.95, only drinks, Coffee or Tea were extra. Meal over and starting to get dark we made our way to the coach. All on board Pam did the roll-call again, all present and we got on the way. For most of the way back we sang along to old songs provided on CD by Bradley Magee. We arrived back at the flower of Kent at 21:45 and as we got off we all thanked Pam Magee for arranging a lovely trip and reminded each other, it was Lodge on Wednesday and have a safe journey home.