In March 2008, Malcolm and Brenda took the first of three short breaks in Eastbourne. There was another couple sharing the table at mealtimes and, at the first meal the husband asked Malcolm which football team he supported. Malcolm said that he did not like football after which the other man did not spesk again.

The weather was wintry on this occasion and there was a gale on their first night and the wind was making the window panes flex. There was a bulldozer on th ebeach which had been pushing he stones up to protect the seafront but the next morning all the stones had been washed away and the bulldozer was standing on sand.

Malcolm and Brenda explored the town and looked up the place where Malcolm's aunt Muriel Folker had lived at the western end of town. One day they went into Brighton and looked at the house in Russell Square where more ancestors had lived. Malcolm took a swim once the weather had settled down.

It appears that something like norovirus may have been in the hotel as Brenda woke on the last morning severley affected. So much so, that her bottom erupted before she could get to the bathroom. Malcolm went to reception and called an ambulance. Another person in reception said that his wife had also been affected but the management would not comment. The ambulance came and the paramedics said that Brenda would be OK. The hotel staff came to assist in cleaning the room. Malcolm purchased a pack of travel sickness pills as a precaution before they set off home but the journey was completed without further incident.