Alice's Brighton University Degree Ceremony 2011, Graduating from the Faculty of Art

It's over a week since we were down on the south coast, celebrating Alice's degree in Brighton. After the degree ceremony, two hours of continual clapping was just a tad too long! We left Brighton heading along the coast to St Leonards-On-Sea near Hastings. We had booked a hotel, The Royal Victoria it was right on the seafront but because it was only £55 for the room we weren't expecting much, we had a pleasant surprise. It had recently been refurbished, the rooms were clean and very spacious, unlike the 'Boutique Hotels' we have stayed in.

"The Royal Victoria Hotel, originally built in 1828, derives it's name from Queen Victoria who is among the hotels many famous visitors who include King George V, Prince Albert, Edward VII, Gladstone, Palmerston & Tennyson.Situated in a prime position on the seafront in St Leonards-on-sea the hotel offers you traditional hospitality in a friendly atmosphere together with the modern facilities expected in the 21st century. Whether you are visiting on business or enjoying a leisure break from your busy schedule the Royal Victoria is able to cater for your every need to ensure you have a relaxing stay.Many of the elegantly, spacious and comfortably furnished bedrooms feature a separate lounge area and enjoy stunning views over the English Channel and Beachy Head. For those special occasions there are several suites and a room with a spiral staircase from the lounge, leading to the bedroom and bathroom on an upper level. All rooms have en-suite facilities with showers over the baths, Colour TV, direct dial telephones with data ports, hairdryer, trouser press and tea & coffee making facilities."

In the evening we went to a seafront restaurant and sampled Nepalese/Gurkha food, if you're wondering it's Indian without the heat!