St. Leonards on Sea

Great Webstie for The Old Town

2011-11-24T05:54:00.000-08:00

Looking for treasures in the Old Town, Hastings - try this new website I have just discovered.

2011 Hastings Bonfire Parade

2011-11-05T05:17:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately there was so much smoke most of our photos didn't work but here are some we managed to capture which shows how brilliant the parade was this year.

Preserves of Hastings

2011-08-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

Popped in to the lovely cheese shop Penbuckles in the old town to get some local cheeses for our supper, and met a delightful lady who was selling her locally made jams. It was called Preserves of Hastings and I tried her seedless Gooseberry and Raspberry jam - delicious. If you are passing pop in and buy some - you won't regret it.

Flowers from a Friend's Garden

2011-06-23T05:47:00.001-07:00

so pretty I had to share them

The new pirate crazy golf - Hastings

2011-06-11T08:45:00.001-07:00

Pashley Manor Tulip Festival & Sculpture Garden

2011-04-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

The lastest Banksy Cat found in Hastings

2011-01-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

Has everyone been to visit the Banksy yet

2010-12-05T04:41:00.000-08:00

Banksy at St Leo

English Wine

2010-10-04T05:28:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that there are many vineyards in around Sussex and Kent which are flourishing, winning awards and getting world wide recognition. The other weekend we went to the English Wine Centre near Cuckmere and tried out a few local wines and bought a selection of six wines to savour. This is some of the selection.

Support your local vineyard - it's fun.

Artwork in the Old Town

2010-09-06T01:40:00.000-07:00

Perfect Ports of Call

2010-08-08T00:24:00.000-07:00

St Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex

For an arty seaside alternative to Margate, try St Leonards-on-Sea. From the hip seafront Zanzibar International boutique hotel you can explore the galleries at the base of Marine Court, the art deco ocean-liner-styled apartment block, and the boutiques along Norman Road, before lunch at St Clements restaurant (01424 200355, stclementsrestaurant.co.uk). The annual Coastal Currents arts festival (coastalcurrents.org.uk) runs from 28 August to the end of September: don't miss "Internal States", a caravan installation by Julia Riddiough and Kati Saqui (14-16 September, Railway Station Forecourt, and 25 September) outside the De La Warr Pavilion, in nearby Bexhill-on-Sea, which was a hit at this year's Whitstable Biennale.

For full article in the Guardian

Hastings Flower Show

2010-05-26T03:07:00.000-07:00

Plastic bags

2010-05-25T02:37:00.000-07:00

I drive my husband slightly insane when I go for walks along the beach, collecting plastic bags and those horrible things you get which hold beer cans together. I can't bear the thought of them blowing into the sea and the seagulls and other wild life getting entangled.

I am a real believer in reusable bags and came across this website below. As it happens I already have one of their wonderful bags and highly recommend them, they are fun, light, reusable and so much more elegant than plastic.

Carry-A-Bag

Moonrakers - my favourite

2010-05-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

We went to Moonrakers for lunch today as a treat and had the most delicious meal. I had venison carpaccio and truffles followed by John Dory with bacon and lentil salsa and a red pepper puree whilst Steve had new season asparagus with hollandaise and pink grapefruit with quails eggs and red veined sorrel followed by blade of beef with nettle risotto. So divine. The desserts too were truly excellent. Jerusalem artichoke and white chocolate cheese cake with a cashew nut ice cream - subtle and fragrant - but topped by Steve's lemon curd parfait, yoghurt sorbet and pine nut crumble which made your mouth zing. Got to be my favourite restaurant at the moment.

Then, to add and even further note of ecstasy, the petit four were orange and dark chocolate truffle, white fudge with lemon zest and blackberry jelly dusted with sherbet. I am drooling still.

Sussex Bubbly - Perfect!

2010-03-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Sussex has a multi-award winning sparkling wine maker?

Situated only one-and-a-half miles north of Ditchling Beacon is the multi-award winning sparkling wine maker RidgeView Estate. Founded by Christine and Michael Roberts in 1994 after selling their successful IT business.

“Starting the new business meant going to college at Plumpton, the only course in England that studies viticulture and oenology, and getting a thorough grounding in how to grow vines and to make good wine,” explains Mike.

In 1994 the Estate planted 20,000 vines on 16 acres. Nowadays the whole estate runs to 30 acres (12 hectares) and has partnership vineyards across the South East of England totalling 170 acres who work together with RidgeView to produce the finest quality fruit.

Saving Hastings Pier

2010-03-15T02:20:00.000-07:00

The battle continues to try and save Hastings pier, which has been closed since 2006, and is currently owned by Panamanian firm Ravenclaw Investments Ltd. This off-shore company has refused to carry out the costly repair work needed to reopen the Victorian attraction.

The Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust believes it can make a successful go of things, but in order to attract funding and grants it needs the local authority to invoke a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) - effectively forcing Ravenclaw to sell up.

Ownership would then be immediately transferred to the trust.

The Hastings Observer recently quoted Councillor Richard Stevens as saying: "Our own marketing manager said the pier was 'one storm' away from collapse.

"Time is not on our side and we can't afford the luxury of delay."

Join the fight to save the pier. Support the Trust. Join the Facebook page. Look after our Hastings heritage.

2010-02-21T14:06:00.000-08:00

We are hoping to have the St Leonards & Hastings Guide book finished by June. Here's a taster.

DON'T CONCRETE THE CONVENT

2010-01-22T02:24:00.000-08:00

I was shocked to find out they are planning to redevelop the relatively unused Magdalene Convent in Magdalen Road and build a new build block of flats.

These proposals go against the Council's own HASINGS LOCAL PLAN 2004 and the site is also part of the Magdalen Road Conservation Area.

Please help to stop this happening.

Not only is it a beautiful building, which should be preserved, but the green space around it provides a haven and fresh air in this otherwise quite built up area.

I, personally, have no problems with a sympathetic refurbishment of the site which keeps the building intact and doesn't over develop the site. Neither do I have problems generally with new builds like the environmentally sympathetic town houses nearing completion opposite the Convent on Margaret Road. BUT it seems to me we don't have a shortage of empty properties and neither do we need to lose the character of beautiful St Leonards by losing places of architectural interest and beauty.

Concerned citizens can attend the meet for local residents at

STAR OF THE SEA PRIMARY SCHOOL, MAGDALEN ROAD

ON TUESDAY 26 JANUARY 2010 FROM 6-7 PM

St Leonards - Snow on the Beach

2010-01-10T05:40:00.000-08:00

Bulverhythe Underwater

2010-01-06T09:24:00.001-08:00

Preparing Christmas Lunch - Venison en Croute, Roast Potatoes and Steamed Veg

2009-12-28T05:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas is for Pints

2009-12-26T05:13:00.001-08:00

Sugar Group Christmas Party at Fairlight Hall

2009-12-24T11:58:00.000-08:00

Hastings Horns at the FILO

2009-12-11T03:26:00.000-08:00

A big, jazzy sound in a relatively small venue but it worked well.

The crowd seemed quite music savvy and more sophisticated than the FILO's usual beer connoisseurs but a good night was had by all.

Hastings Horns website

Another Lunch at Moonrakers

2009-12-11T03:07:00.000-08:00

Another stunning lunch at Moonrakers, which is not only my favourite restaurant in Sussex, it's fast becoming one of my favourite restaurants in the UK.

We chose from the set menu, starting with juniper cured salmon with beetroot and basil jelly, not only delicious but a work of art too (see above). TH (the husband) had honeyed venison carpaccio which was served at just the right temperature to bring out the full flavour of the meat.

To follow, I had turkey with all the usual trimmings (my first of the season) and TH had Hake with a generously salted crispy skin, served with a copious quantity of earthy wild mushrooms and caramelised sprouts. He was thrilled with his choice and said so several times.

Cheese for TH and luscious carrot cake for me followed by espresso and then home.

Service was delightful too even though the waitress accidently knocked over 2/3 rds of our wine, it was cleaned up and replaced with a full bottle with minimum fuss.

I can't wait to go back.

The Wild Mushroom

2009-11-24T03:01:00.000-08:00

Went to one of our favourites this weekend. The Wild Mushroom near Westfield. We had Shirley and Mark (our tennis pals) staying for the weekend so wanted to take them somewhere a bit special.

They all ate the aged fillet of beef with the wild mushroom sauce and I went for the duck. The others loved their beef but my duck was only passable (a bit tough and a bit bland). My starter of thai beef salad, however, was excellent - melt in the mouth beef with a kick of chillie, juxtaposed on a crunchy salad of carrots, onions, coriander, etc. Steve and Shirley had scallops with cauliflower puree and thin slivers of cauliflower which they were very happy with and Mark had the pan fried salmon with mirin and beetroot risotto (as a fish lover he was delighted with the combination of flavours and freshness).

As always canapes, a flavourful amuse bouche (made with herrings - really kick started our taste buds) and wonderful petite fours were provided at the beginning and end of the meal. Service too was attentive and fun.

I love my new St Leonards on Sea shopping bag

2009-11-08T04:02:00.000-08:00

Proposed Jerwood Gallery - Hastings

2009-11-02T03:52:00.000-08:00

I know it's a very contentious subject but I, personally, am looking forward to the opening of the Jerwood Gallery near The Stade in Hastings. I genuinely hope that no damage is done to the traditional fishing fleet and huts as they are part of our heritage and one of the joys of living in the area, but I believe that something which will help breathe fresh life and jobs into this beautiful area must be welcome.

The gallery will open in Summer 2011 and should include the following:

Gallery spaces for the Jerwood Art Collection of 20th and 21st century British art.
Gallery spaces for rotating temporary exhibitions from the Jerwood Visual Arts Programme and others specially created for the gallery and in partnership with local and national organisations.
Sculpture courtyard.
Education space for schools workshops, classes, seminars and community outreach work developed with local partners.
Small first-floor café with terrace.
Research and archive facility.

Nobles in Battle

2009-10-25T03:39:00.000-07:00

Went to Nobles in Battle for lunch today after meeting the chef in Bodiam several weeks earlier.

Horrible weather outside but welcoming atmosphere inside and real shame that we couldn't take advantage of the pretty courtyard terrace.

We had seasonal starters of twice baked souffle of stilton, walnuts and spinach and a goose foie gras and chicken liver terrine, which were very good and an auspicious start to our meal.

We both wanted to try the main course of wholemeal gnocchi with truffle oil and mushrooms but I capitulated and went instead for the sirloin and chunky chips, with roasted peppers and tomato. This was served with a peppercorn sauce on the side which I, personally, didn't need as the sirloin was tasty enough. The gnocchi was very light on the truffle oil (in fact we couldn't discern any at all) but nonetheless tasty and came with sweet potato chips and a salad of tomato and rocket. All this was supported by a well priced Malbec.

Complimentary and rich, home made dark chocolates were delivered with our rather weak espressos (I love my espressos to be almost viscous so I am a tough task master).

Not perfect but good and definitely worth another visit.

Richard Hawley at the De La Warr

2009-10-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

Friday night 9.00 pm at the De La Warr, Richard Hawley and his band walk on stage. We were looking forward to the concert but were blown away by how good it was. Soaring sounds from the saw violin, wonderful guitar playing, and crystal clear lyrics.

A delighted audience!

Hastings Seafood & Wine Festival 2009

2009-09-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

The good weather on Saturday gave way to slightly more inclement weather on Sunday, yet the food festival remained well attended. Here are my three favourite discoveries from this year.

No.1

Thrilli Foods "Making Chillies Friendly". Delicious pickles and drizzles made with chilli. From mild, through warming, to sizzling hot.

No.2

Stratta fruit vinegars and herb oils; flavoured sugars; spiced and preserved fruit. The Elderflower and Lavender vinegars are two of my favourites.

No. 3

Nut Knowle Farm pasteurised, vegetarian Goats cheese. We tried a plain full fat, slightly tangy Wealden, one with Cranberry, and another with Herbs and Garlic. All three were delicious, fresh and moreish.

Petrified Forest at Bulverhythe

2009-09-20T00:44:00.000-07:00

Low tide peaks as the sun sets. View across to Bexhill from Bulverhythe

A bed of tiny mussels

Petrified tree roots - 3,500 to 4,000 years old. Part of an ancient forest now only exposed at very low tides.

The base of another ancient tree.

August - Lisa and Jonathan come to stay

2009-08-30T10:47:00.001-07:00

We took the boat down the Rother from Newenden to Bodiam Castle a journey of about 45 minutes,

A walk up to the castle followed by some Archery lessons (and Jonathan was rather successful)

Medieval Fair Day at Bodiam followed by a walk up the hill to The Curlew for lunch

Sunday we had a short walk along The Cuckmere and a lovely lunch in the garden at Moonrakers in Alfriston.

Moonrakers recently featured on the Hairy Bikers in East Sussex and has one of the most delightful views of any restaurant as it looks out over the village green and church which dates back to Saxon times. Venison and Truffle were clearly in season as I started with a delicious venison carpaccio with a drizzle of truffule oil, whilst the other three had a light as a feather pea moussse. The boys then had braised venison with roasted root vegetables, Lisa had cod with lentils and I had a vegetable dish of roasted salsify and artichokes (with slices of truffle this time). Yum!

The Moonrakers was named after the local smugglers who used to hide their booty in the dew pond and would come out at night and rake the pond to retrieve it.

At last I've painted the dining table and chairs

2009-08-03T16:14:00.001-07:00

I'm quite pleased with the results considering the whole lot was a true bargain in a Hastings junk store (including the blue plate).

The Curlew - Bodiam

2009-08-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

We went to visit one of our favourite restaurants today, The Curlew, near Bodiam Castle, and turned up at lunch to find it was "under new management". We were a little bit concerned as the old management seemed absolutely fine to us but I am pleased to report that we had a truly excellent meal.

The whole place had been refurbished with a bigger car park and a new garden area set up for al fresco dining. The interior was a very elegant gray wood paneling with a white ceiling. Comfortable chairs with leather backs and plushly coloured upholstery added a touch of jauntiness.

We shared the potted mackerel to start which was light as a feather and topped with a refreshing dill and cucumber jelly. I followed this with lemon sole and a shrimp, caper and lemon butter served with delicious new potatoes and samphire (my favourite seasonal vegetable). My husband had the gurnard fillet with braised artichokes, fennel, baby courgettes and baby gem. He's not a vegetable lover by nature but he scoffed the lot with relish.

I then finished with a lovely Yorkshire cheese called Cotherstone - a descendant of Wenselydale - (the chefs I believe hale from that part of the world) served with a bite-sized fruit loaf and raisins soaked in something delicious and the 'husband' had a subtle lavender junket with raspberries and the shortest shortbread you could wish for.

We will definitely be back again, things had changed but in a good way.

http://www.thecurlewrestaurant.co.uk/newsfeed/

Visitors June 2009 - Dee & Norrie

2009-06-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

A walk along the Cuckmere

Followed by an excellent lunch at Moonrakers in Alfriston

Perfect weather for sitting in the herb garden

The White Horse

From Wikipeida: The creation of hill figures has been practised since prehistory and can include human (gigantotomy) and animal forms (cutting horses is known as "leucippotomy") as well as more abstract symbols. The White Horse probably held religious significance. The figures are usually created by the cutting away of the top layer of relatively poor soil on suitable hillsides to expose the chalk underneath.

The Kissing Gate trail

Dee, Norrie and Christine heading back toward Alfriston

Visitors June 2009 - Bob & Miriam

2009-06-14T10:33:00.001-07:00

A late lunch after visiting Knole

Deers checking us out

Standen June 2009

2009-06-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

The courtyard entrance

Side garden leading to the orchard and pond

Taking in the view and enjoying the shade

Foxgloves

Poppies

The vegetable garden and Mrs Scarecrow on guard

Checking out the sports' results

An old camper van beautifully restored and in use

Alexander Park

2009-06-10T01:50:00.001-07:00

Spring flowers on the cliff top

2009-05-24T10:14:00.000-07:00

purple bells

an English rose

wild strawberries

buttercups and daisies

these little flowers are the size of a finger nail and very pretty

a tiny dandelion

Birling Gap - late May

2009-05-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

view from the cliff edge

Birling Gap

spring gorse and the Channel

rebuilding the lighthouse after moving it from the cliff edge

the cliff edge - where the lighthouse used to be

May Day Sounds

2009-05-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Jack on the Green - May Day Parade 2009

2009-05-09T07:32:00.001-07:00

The Morris Dancers are coming ...

2009-04-15T10:31:00.001-07:00

Welcome Spring

2009-03-29T04:01:00.000-07:00

St Leonards Gardens

2009-02-15T07:25:00.001-08:00

View towards the sea

The lower gate house

New birdboxes (here's four of them)

The Clockhouse

Christine's Birthday Party

2009-02-08T00:21:00.001-08:00

Wimbledon Snow

2009-02-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

I know Wimbledon is not the south coast but they were so pretty I wanted to share.

Scotney Castle

2008-12-01T00:45:00.001-08:00

Another dramatic weekend of weather

2008-11-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hastings Day Torch Procession

2008-10-19T09:43:00.001-07:00

Stormy Day

2008-10-05T11:34:00.000-07:00

Bodiam Castle

2008-09-07T04:25:00.001-07:00

Yesterday at Bexhill on Sea

2008-05-25T02:19:00.001-07:00

Today at Sissinghurt

2008-05-04T07:00:00.001-07:00

The new blinds

2008-03-22T19:14:00.000-07:00

Even though it's raining in this photo we really needed to get some blinds as the room gets very warm and bright when the sun is shining. We had them made in the same fabric as the cushions on the cane chairs below.

The sunset last weekend

2008-02-29T15:12:00.001-08:00

Went to Rye last weekend, a beautiful day

2008-02-24T12:19:00.000-08:00

Orchids

2008-02-16T02:21:00.000-08:00

The orchids are starting to bloom again, at last. The top two photos are from the orchid in the guest bedroom and the bottom one, in our room, isn't flowering yet - but soon will be.

The Millennium Beacon

2008-01-20T04:37:00.001-08:00

There's a series of these beacons around the country which were all lit, one by one, to celebrate the millennium. Must have been an impressive sight.

The new oak wardrobe

2008-01-07T02:18:00.001-08:00

Latest junk shop purchase

2007-12-30T10:16:00.001-08:00

Found these little expresso cups in Rye today. Perfect for the seaside with their little seahorse pattern.

Before and After

2007-12-28T03:31:00.001-08:00

Before

After

Antique Hunting

2007-12-26T08:45:00.001-08:00

These are our latest antique shop finds. Two bedside tables, a dressing table and a mirror all in inlaid mother of pearl. Very OTT but fun.

Table and chairs

2007-12-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

Found these in a junk shop in Hastings Old Town a few weeks ago. The chairs cost me £5 each and the table cost me £10. The table needs sanding down and revarnishing but apart from that I am really pleased with it.

Finished at last

2007-12-03T12:58:00.001-08:00

It's taken me a month to sand down these old pine cabinets, repaint them and find new knobs to go in the main bedroom in the new apartment. I am rather pleased with the finished result though.

Settling in

2007-11-13T16:01:00.001-08:00

The Move

2007-10-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

Started moving some of our smaller bits and pieces today like kitchenware and duvets. The bigger pieces are going down by van in a few days time. The sea was choppy and exhilarating. Looking forward to bracing walks along the promenade on mornings like this.

Fishing in the Area

2007-10-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

Fishing Boats being dragged out of the water after a big catch

Boats on the beach in front of the net drying towers

The Stade

Hastings has been involved with the sea for over a thousand years. The shingle beach has always been called the Stade and the word dates from before the 1066 battle of Hastings and means " landing place ". On the Stade is Britain's biggest fleet of beach-launched fishing boats. The boats have to be hauled out of the sea after each trip, which prevents them from being more than about ten metres long. They can only carry small amounts of gear and travel just a few miles and, as a result, the fleet has always fished in an ecologically sound way. It's possible to buy fresh seafood every day from the local fish shops built right on the beach next to the Stade.

Finishing the decorating

2007-10-21T10:39:00.001-07:00

2007-10-21T05:04:00.001-07:00

This blog is for people using our apartment in St Leonards. The plan is to share pictures and places of interest, good restuarants and information on the area along the Sussex Coast. ENJOY.