The English Riviera!

Whilst in Blighty for the festive season, we went to visit one of my brother in laws and his wife and their 3 children. They run a hotel right on the seafront of one of the sunniest places in Britain ‘ so it is reported'. Eastbourne! I love it there but put me by the sea, in the sea, on the sand or pebbles and I am a very contented Guernsey girl. It was great to catch up with them on their 2 days off between Christmas coaches ( crimbo packages start in October!) and see the refurbishments they have made since our last visit. Me and himself spent 2 months there pre opening helping them bring the hotel back to life after they bought it in 2005 and it was an interesting time indeed. I won’t go into how our car at the time‘Kevin the Peugeot 205’ got crushed by the local council and we made the local rag in a write up because of said disaster, illegally done I may add. The crushing not the article!

We went to a traditional English pub decorated to the max with festive attire to which many folks come every year just to see what works of art have been created for the customers. We stayed in Room 1 which has since be revamped and much improved since our working and rest time there. This hotel is not all pretentious and arty farty and does not come at fancy pancy prices for a designer breakfast sausage and organic toms . It is a traditional and friendly hotel in a fabulous location. The service and standards would take some beating . I love staying there and it was utter bliss having a cuppa in hotel boudoir whilst watching t.v and partaking of a proper bathroom ensuite. If only we had more time and could have stayed another night.

Anyway if you find yourself in Eastbourne, look them up. The welcome is warm and fun and views fantastic. It is a short walk into Eastbourne centre. Have some fish and chips, a 99 on the pier and relax at the MARINE PARADE HOTEL with Jerome and Carol - hosts fantastique!

I hope to be back there verrrry soon!

From little Bangers...........

BIG ONES grow.........
I was quite proud of the progress!!!

My first sausage making lesson!

Whilst in the UK during Christmas, my brother in law invited me for a sausage making experience in one of the best equipped kitchens I know. It should be as his wife is a very established cookery writer, food stylist and has produced many a wonderful book with a myriad of tantalising on the tastebuds recipes. I received a couple of her new books this trip. Chef School and from her Hamlyn range, Tapas and Cake. Give her a Google!. She could have been in the eye of the media many years ago before all these celeb chefs hit our screens but chose to remain behind the camera and the pages of her books and magazine articles.

The b. in law, knowing how I love a pure decent banger, set to with me and I created my own melange of flavours.
This is a pic of my first attempt, next update will be a photo of the progress!

Pork, sage and lemon then Lamb, mint, ginger and moroccan spices ( a splash of St Emillion red wine)were the flavours chosen for this experience.
The machine was acting up so it was a 2 person operation and it required some physical effort more on the brother in laws part!.
I am looking forward to trying them out though the tasters we cooked before going for the big squeeze into the skins seemed pretty tasty to me and I have it on good authority from someone who knows that the pork and lemon were a big hit!

I will pursuing this home made method as then at least I know exactly what is going into them!
So much for my thoughts on giving up pork or lamb.!

Pretty in White

A picturesque scene chez nous but not so pretty when the drive iced up and the car would not move!