Last week of March

 One of the nicest things about being retired is being able to visit pretty towns and villages that are not far from us.

We live about 45 minutes drive from Rye on the Sussex coast, just next to Camber Sands beach.  This little town is steeped in history but I like it for it's old fashioned shops, pretty little houses and cobbled streets.

 Rye was ideal for smuggling as close to France, surrounded by marshes and built with narrow winding streets and secret passages designed to evade the authorities.  The name Rye is thought to be derived from the Saxon word meaning 'island' due to the landscape at the time and not due to the windmills, fields of grain or its storage in the general area. 

Some of the buildings go back to the 11th century, have deep cellars that no doubt were filled with stolen goods during the smuggling days, some are now open to the public to explore.

It was very cold the day we visited and some shops had not yet opened for the coming tourist season, we had coffee, a wander round and headed home - too cold to stop at the beach.

Originally this was a busy harbour until the Romney marches expanded and separated it from the sea.  In 1336 Rye was made a cinque port, exempt from certain taxes in return for maintaining and providing ships for defence.  It was later used to export wool and also for a time known for its pottery ('hopware').

There is a little castle there, not of any use due to the change in the landscape but originally thought to be a means of lookout/defense from hostile ships.  

I will visit again in the Summer when it will be nice at the beach, we used to take our sons there for days out - the tide goes out a very long way and the beach is a lovely soft, smooth sand.

More info here:    The History of Rye, East Sussex

Other interesting fact:  at nearby Peasmarsh, Sir Paul McCartney lives on his 160 acre farm.

Other news of the week:

Its been bitterly cold here this week, I wore a jumper and a quilted coat/scarf for an hour at the allotments last night for our weekly gathering (I took whisky!).  We had a log burner on.

Despite the cold I have planted and fleeced mange tout (shop bought plants) and got my first early potatoes into the ground.  I had planted a large number of flower seeds and bulbs in the previous week but few have germinated despite being in the communal polytunnel.  Mice have eaten my courgette and sunflower seeds!  No wonder I found a cat in there the other day!

My son made a little wooden box when he was a 13 year old boy.  It got left here when he moved out and I couldn't part with it - I chalk painted amd waxed it and am using it to keep my seed packets.  I like it despite its imperfections because he made it :)

Mollie cat was unwell last week (her glands needed emptying so the vet took her out the back to resolve, I suspect there was some manhandling out of sight as she is not cooperative).  She hasn't forgiven me yet and creeps about avoiding me, understandably as her visit to the vet was distressing but she is getting back to her usual self and is  bringing me a mouse nearly every morning.  

Ive been swimming a couple of times this week, booked a holiday for later this year and hunted for nice books in our local Oxfam charity book shop - found this one which gives growing advice and recipes for plants in season, so ideal for someone with an allotment like me!  

Recently I painted a bowl at a pottery shop, my sons girlfriend treated me, its a water bowl for Mollie.

In the garden we cleared a border of an invasive hedge/weed and I have planted rosemary and lavender there   

Looking forward to warmer days, walks in the woods and seeing my allotment and garden bloom!  Best of all, I'm so glad the UK clocks go forward an hour tonight, as I am waking at 5.15am every day and when the clocks change my sleep pattern will improve.

 How has your week been?

 

Lisbon

 A 3 night stay in Lisbon, Portugal (birthday pressie from Steve):  Travelling with Easyjet (hand luggage only) and staying at Sana Reno, Lisbon, a 3 star B&B with a comfy bed, aircon, a rooftop pool and located right next to the Metro within easy distance of all the sights.  

Capsule wardrobe!  15kg luggage allowance but I only carried about 5 kg. Kindle, cross body purse, one dress, two skirts, two tees, jumper and jacket. Mini size toiletries, trainers (I wore 2 skirts to make the bag less bulky).

Hop over to my travel blog HERE for a breakdown of our trip.

February Days Out

 Hi folks, despite rain every day but one  for a month, I've not let that spoil my fun and have  taken a few days trips!

Last week hubby took me took to Mersey Island, near Colchester.  My paternal family lived on the island for several generations in Strood House and Strood Cottage, visible as you come off the mainland on to the island, just before the area where the water cuts the island off at high tide.  There are marshes on each side of the road and the tide comes in preventing traffic for a few hours twice a day.   My cousin told me that family members learned to swim on the road during high tide.  

The beach huts are spacious, but- they are expensive to buy.  Some are a rental income for owners.   I have a memory of going here as a child, it's got a nice sandy/shingle beach and gets busy in summer as there is a large caravan park.   I am starting to research my family tree and this was a first step to get a feel for my roots.

Today I took the train to Lewes.  It's only a 30 minute journey.  Lewes is best known for its castle and for its 5th November bonfire night procession with men in stripey jumpers carrying fire torches.  

The castle is best seen in Summer.  Throughout the afternoon I walked by,  there  was torrential rain.... but it was deserted, so  good for taking photos as no tourists in sight.

Lewes has lots of cafes, antique shops and an old converted needle factory that houses arts and craft shops.

The charity shops are particularly good, I saw two Paul Costello coats labelled unworn/brand new at £20 each. 

I had a Waterstones gift voucher and treated myself to a River Cottage cookery book and had a sandwich lunch with coffee.

It was our  monthly walkers group outing last Tuesday, ending with a pub lunch at Weatherspoons  We noticed the green shoots of bluebells showing, celandine and catkins along the wooded pathways.

Thanks for stopping by. I will be visiting a few more local towns and villages as the weather improves so stay tuned!