So folks … it is nearly the weekend, and whilst I do not usually take advantage of my ‘self employed’ status as much as I should, needs musts and all that
The weather is GORGEOUS 32 degrees in Sussex… and we live by the sea… so it would be rude not to go and jump in it after the weeks of rubbish weather we have endured (including snow!)
So adieu… enjoy … see you next week … and we have updated our front page to reflect just how sunny we are feeling
x
Saturday was our annual Strawberry picking extravaganza!.. we are super lucky around Arundel to have a wealth of nurseries and farms which supply a lot of the main super markets – but more importantly our local stores.
We have 2 or 3 favourites, but when we go with the kids we tend to visit Roundstones PYO – as they are super large and have a couple of tractors which take you up to the best picking fields. For the kids the tractor ride and secret sneeky strawberries are what makes the event – but for me it is the start of my jam making marathon… so we were picking at speed as a large set of very black rain clouds loomed overhead. We managed to make it back
As the years have passed we have been donated many jars at the request they be filled with jam! So this was more of a pick as many as I could! Prices have gone up – and it is cheaper to get your strawberries in the 2 fors that they have at nearly every super market at this time of year – but honestly the fresh ones that have a little extra pectin and flavour still make the best jam.
PS – the farm shop is not as good as others in the area – so you really do need to PYO.
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| see looming clouds over approaching tractor! |
We have been a little pants at blogging of late… simply because we have been up to our eyes with orders and working on some of the new design and business ideas… as well as a little jaunt to hospital for me (yes the last month has taken it’s toll!)
So it was with great joy that we looked forward to a little break over the Easter hols with the kids.. escaping to France and then back to sunny Blighty for a stay on a double decker bus at the super simple and charming Black Berry Wood, just up the road from us near Lewes.
Whilst there I was working on projects for my book.. and found stitching in the sunshine one of the most theraputic pass times.. I had forgotten (as my hobby became my business) just how relaxing it can be – getting lost in the flow of yarn on blank fabric.
With long sunny evenings round a camp fire .. honestly we felt blessed.
Now we are back for a couple of days before the full on throttle of normal life resumes next week…
Today we ventured up the road to the Pumpkin Farm in Slindon to view this years display of Pumpkins and Squashes… and buy a few for carving.
Sadly Mr Ralph Upton (the farmer) died last year and there was speculation that this fantastic local tradition was going to come to a close… but his son Robin has stepped up to the mark and I hope that he is suitably thrilled with the result. I know our kids were.
With pumpkins and squashes from 50p to £50 there is something to please all… whether looking for a Ghoulish Guord, Tasty Squash or Perfect Pumpkin… (including the ‘pus spot’ ghourd modelled by Mr H)
The whole village get together.. and the local ladies open a tea room for the week with the mother of all flapjacks and homemade pumpkin soup (50p). Open till Sunday 31st – if you are in West Sussex it is well worth a visit.
We came away with a SACK FULL!… Now to cook and carve !
After a weekend filled with work deadlines – we took some time out today, and Mr H whisked me off for one of our favourite walks over the downs and stopped at the very top for a minty hot chocolate (see recipe from last year)… which was his little and quite perfect surprise. The downs were an Autumn delight this morning.
As we wandered through the shooting woods on the way back down we saw a LOT of mushrooms. Now as you know we are keen foragers, but mushrooms have always scared the bejeebers out of me… one wrong pick and you’re a goner!
The best moment came as I stumbled across my first real live red dotted toadstool (the favoured choice of many a crafter on Etsy at the moment) I truly felt like Alice in Wonderland ….
So I decided to take pictures of all of them – and yes there are a lot! In the hope that some of you out there can tell us a) what they are and b) if they are edible??
So over to you guys – they are numbered and named in our own little way – so comments and formal naming welcome….
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| Fairy Toadstool 1 & 2 |
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| Fairy Toadstool 1 |
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| Fairy Toadstool 2 |
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| mushroom1 – flute |
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| Mushroom 2 – cheesy puff |
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| Mushroom 3 – Frazzle |
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| Mushroom 4 – Burnt Toast |
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| Mushroom 5 Puff Ball |
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| Mushroom 6 – Shell |
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| Mushroom 7 – Flintstone |
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| Mushroom 8 – Mini Cap |
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| Mushroom 8 – Mini Caps |
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| Mushroom 9 – Mini Spores a cropping |
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| Mushroom 10 Flat Head |
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| Mushroom 11 – Stumpy |
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| Mushroom 12 – Fungus Flute |
This weekend marked the start of the pick your own season in Sussex around our home town of Arundel. The micro climate around the downs means that there are a plethora of nurseries and now vineyards, which supply all the local stores as well as many national chains!
So off we went to one of the larger ones (Roundstone Farm in Angmering) which the kids love as they offer free tractor rides to the top of the hill to pick your goodies from the best crops.
We came away with over 5kg which were consumed with homemade meringues and made into our first batch of strawberry jam….
Our first one from our new strawberry hanging pots however didnt quite make it beyond my 5 year olds mouth!
Summer seems to have arrived (FINALLY) in Sussex and joy of joy’s we spent the day yesterday wandering round my very favourite antique fair.
It has to be said that there were still a lot of lovely things to find – but my goodness it was rammed! Kirstie Allsop was filming as was the Channel 4 Antique show – and Cath Kidston was there with hearty team buying up! As were Marks and Spencers and a gang from Arcadia.
What a shame – as I hope that some of these kooky bits and bobs will not find themselves becoming part of the homogenised high street. Big up to Etsy, Folksy and all you crafty folk for keeping it fresh and fabulous!
Meanwhile these are a few of my favourite things.. nearly all of which (bar the Dalek!) are now firmly in my personal collection of bright and beautiful things! Was particularly crazy about my new butter dish and a full set of turquoise coloured pyrex with gold trim. I also bought up all the vintage cards which will be on our web site soon!
Next one is in July – so you guys may as well come along and make a dash for all the good stuff too!
Today was my birthday… so we had a little time out yesterday for a couple of hours to walk and talk on the lovely Sussex Downs that surround Arundel – and feed our souls with some chatter and rays. Normally the daffs are out on my birthday – but the mad recent weather means they are still firmly underground!
We discovered some mad things on our trek including this relic from the recent snow – which either got buried or abandoned!
After a good 10 mile jaunt, we had plenty of excuse to fill our bellies with some of the fab Sussex Fayre available at one of our local pubs.
What we were shocked at was how high the tidal River Arun was running – and we fear that any more rainfall on top of the swelling Spring tides may hit our town for the first time ever!!! So here’s hoping for more of the sunshine and ‘rain rain go away’ (as my 2 year old puts it!).
Roll on Spring and Summer – we are seriously ready for it.
The title of this posting may seem somewhat rude to non locals of West Sussex… but the Rusty Poo is the name adopted by the locals for the architecturally acclaimed (??) East Beach cafe – at the East Beach in Littlehampton, Sussex. It was launched last year as part of the millions being ploughed into the South Coast to entice folk back to some of these old school seaside towns.
Serving up some cracking local fish dishes – it is the perfect family pitstop! For us – there is a long flat promenade – perfect for toddler scooter practise, and the local fish served at this simple cafe is divine. Whilst we avoid it like the plague on Summer Days, Sunny Autmn/Winter/Spring days often bring us down to scavenge the beach and eat local chow. Today was Moules Mariner with Linguine and Bacon!
Today also saw some of the biggest Autumn swells so far – so some mad friends of ours longing for the swells of some more well know surfing heads, went out into the cold to ‘catch some waves’
Finished a smashing day with a cracking firework display by Arundel Rotary Club, watched in awe on the bridge, which is now tradition. Thank you gang – sterling job as ever and the rain held off too!
PS – for those of you who know we are at Christmas shows this week (and next and next!) I managed to escape duty today! Thank you Mr G x
What a glorious weekend… with the promise of September sun and a few jobs to organise (the list is actually endless!) we popped off on Saturday to Southhampton early and finished up by 12.00.
En route home we passed the Red Funnel Ferry with a huge banner advertising £30 day trips to Cowes. With 2 small kids in tow and the Queen Mary 2 parked in the sunny solent, we couldn’t resist and 15 minutes later were on the water heading for Cowes.
We wandered the streets of Cowes for the afternoon, and discovered a lovely wood crafts man Wight Wood – where Libby wrote her name on a wooden heart and he carved it for us there and then for £5. Great incentive for a 4 year old starting school and a top Grandma present for Christmas!
We also visited our local stockists the lovely ladies at Live Like This and Buff (the later being one of the coolest male focused stores out of the big smoke). What was left of our collection was beautifully displayed amoungst some stylish pals… the teatowels had flown out. All good news. Would highly recommend the store for an vibrant mix of lovely gifts (Pearl and Earl included of course!).
Quick locally caught fish and chip supper, and with purchases in tow, we headed back to Portsmouth (for an extra £20) and passed the Spinnaker at Sunset.
Great off season family afternoon out for under £50 plus personal purchases!
