I love seeing on my blog where people are from, and this month I can add some more places to my international readership - including Norway, Finland, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Sri Lanka and Ireland! Greetings to all and thank you to everyone for looking at my website and reading my blog! Hope to see you soon on some tours.
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Monday, 24 October 2011
Brighton's got the X-Factor!
I've had a busy few weeks, organising Christmas events plus tours. Many of my most recent tours have been down on the coast, including in Brighton - one of my favourite cosmopolitan cities. As the clocks are about to change this coming weekend, losing an hour of sleep, Saturday nights are now perfect to settle down in front of the T.V. and watch either Strictly Come Dancing or the X-Factor. Even more of a reason to watch the X-Factor is that one of the finalists, Frankie Cocozza (18), is in fact from Brighton, having gone to school at nearby Woodingdean. Yes, he is the contestant who has the name of 7 girls tattooed on his backside!! Only in Brighton you might say.
He has been feted as the new "cheeky chappy" of Brighton - the nickname once given to another famous music act of the early 20th Century, Max Miller, whose statue can be found gracing the Pavilion Gardens by the Dome Theatre complex.
Brighton certainly seems to have the X-Factor, since the presenter of the show, Dermot O'Leary, also owns a fish restaurant here. You can find out more about the site of the restaurant and some of the other famous people of Brighton, both past and present, such as Sir Laurence Olivier, Katie Price etc..., on a Brighton walking tour - contact me to book your tour.
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| Frankie Cocozza, X-Factor 2011 Contestant |
He has been feted as the new "cheeky chappy" of Brighton - the nickname once given to another famous music act of the early 20th Century, Max Miller, whose statue can be found gracing the Pavilion Gardens by the Dome Theatre complex.
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| The original "Cheeky Chappy", Max Miller |
Brighton certainly seems to have the X-Factor, since the presenter of the show, Dermot O'Leary, also owns a fish restaurant here. You can find out more about the site of the restaurant and some of the other famous people of Brighton, both past and present, such as Sir Laurence Olivier, Katie Price etc..., on a Brighton walking tour - contact me to book your tour.
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Local cheese, oysters and cider vinegar - it can only be Kent Crisps!
I have been meaning for a while now to write a piece about a fabulous company who have only been running since March this year - Kent Crisps (or chips as some of you readers may know what we British call "crisps"!). The reason why? Well, I wanted to do a beer and crisp tasting experiment and last month I managed to achieve this at a local beer festival.
A little background first about Kent Crisps - they are based at Quex Park in Birchington, on the East Coast of Kent, and the grounds are not only home to the crisp makers, but a Victorian house and The Powell-Cotton Museum which can be visited.
Why am I singing the praises of Kent crisps? Well, not only are they a friendly team and a local company; but they have ingenious flavours that use local produce as ingredients. No artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives and 100% GM Free is an added bonus of these crunchy delights.
Made from Kent potatoes, they have sourced flavours to reflect the region - so you have the classic Sea Salt crisps - the flavour dances on your tongue when you break through the crusty nuggets of salt; then there is Cider Vinegar and Sea Salt crisps - with a moreish taste that is created by the use of Biddenden cider vinegar; next are the Oyster and Vinegar flavour - a favourite with many of Kent Crisps' lovers, and subtle in flavour; and finally my favourite, and winner of a Gold Award at The Great Taste Awards 2011, the Ashmore Cheese and Onion, with a lovely strong kick. Something for everyone.
The oysters are sourced as locally as possible, the cheese comes from a Canterbury producer who uses traditional 19th Century presses and let their cheeses mature for 5 months at least; and the orchards at Biddenden, the oldest trading vineyard in Kent (since 1969), supply the cider vinegar - a mix of culinary and dessert apples.
Now, the crisps are lovely just on their own, but even better washed down with a pint of local beer, as well as perfect an accompaniment to a traditional Ploughman's - a slab of cheese, a slice of pork pie, pickles and a crisp tasty apple. If you wonder what beer would go with these crisps, then hopefully I will be able to give you a general guide, as well as recommend a few examples.
Sea Salt Crisps: These would work well with a malty beer or perhaps one that is a bit fruity - perhaps something like Royal Tunbridge Wells Brewery's "Royal". A best bitter that has a lovely malty undertone to it.
Sea Salt and Biddenden Cider Vinegar: A malty beer would lose its flavour against the vinegar so a Golden Beer would be better with these crisps, for example Westerham's "Summer Perle Golden Ale".
Oyster and Vinegar Crisps: These crisps need some hoppiness in the beer to cut through the vinegar and the seafood flavour. A Pale Ale, Bitter, or hoppy IPA may be just the ticket, and I can't think of a better way to combine local oysters with Shepherd Neame's "Whitstable Bay, Organic Ale".
Ashmore Cheese and Onion Crisps: For something as strong as a mature cheese, a porter or stout would hold up against the flavour. Tonbridge Brewery do a fine pint of "Ebony Moon" that would match nicely.
Of course there are many many local breweries and beers that would go fantastically with these crisps, I have just merely offered a few recommendations. Do have a look at: www.camrawestkent.org.uk/breweries-in-kent/ for details of breweries here in the county.
For more information about Kent Crisps, and also find a store supplying them near you, their website is: www.kentcrisps.com
I hope to have time to do more foodie blogs in amongst my tour and historical ones, so do let me know if there is a particular South Eastern food that you think I should be trying.
A little background first about Kent Crisps - they are based at Quex Park in Birchington, on the East Coast of Kent, and the grounds are not only home to the crisp makers, but a Victorian house and The Powell-Cotton Museum which can be visited.
Why am I singing the praises of Kent crisps? Well, not only are they a friendly team and a local company; but they have ingenious flavours that use local produce as ingredients. No artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives and 100% GM Free is an added bonus of these crunchy delights.
Made from Kent potatoes, they have sourced flavours to reflect the region - so you have the classic Sea Salt crisps - the flavour dances on your tongue when you break through the crusty nuggets of salt; then there is Cider Vinegar and Sea Salt crisps - with a moreish taste that is created by the use of Biddenden cider vinegar; next are the Oyster and Vinegar flavour - a favourite with many of Kent Crisps' lovers, and subtle in flavour; and finally my favourite, and winner of a Gold Award at The Great Taste Awards 2011, the Ashmore Cheese and Onion, with a lovely strong kick. Something for everyone.
The oysters are sourced as locally as possible, the cheese comes from a Canterbury producer who uses traditional 19th Century presses and let their cheeses mature for 5 months at least; and the orchards at Biddenden, the oldest trading vineyard in Kent (since 1969), supply the cider vinegar - a mix of culinary and dessert apples.
Now, the crisps are lovely just on their own, but even better washed down with a pint of local beer, as well as perfect an accompaniment to a traditional Ploughman's - a slab of cheese, a slice of pork pie, pickles and a crisp tasty apple. If you wonder what beer would go with these crisps, then hopefully I will be able to give you a general guide, as well as recommend a few examples.
Sea Salt Crisps: These would work well with a malty beer or perhaps one that is a bit fruity - perhaps something like Royal Tunbridge Wells Brewery's "Royal". A best bitter that has a lovely malty undertone to it.
Sea Salt and Biddenden Cider Vinegar: A malty beer would lose its flavour against the vinegar so a Golden Beer would be better with these crisps, for example Westerham's "Summer Perle Golden Ale".
Oyster and Vinegar Crisps: These crisps need some hoppiness in the beer to cut through the vinegar and the seafood flavour. A Pale Ale, Bitter, or hoppy IPA may be just the ticket, and I can't think of a better way to combine local oysters with Shepherd Neame's "Whitstable Bay, Organic Ale".
Ashmore Cheese and Onion Crisps: For something as strong as a mature cheese, a porter or stout would hold up against the flavour. Tonbridge Brewery do a fine pint of "Ebony Moon" that would match nicely.
Of course there are many many local breweries and beers that would go fantastically with these crisps, I have just merely offered a few recommendations. Do have a look at: www.camrawestkent.org.uk/breweries-in-kent/ for details of breweries here in the county.
For more information about Kent Crisps, and also find a store supplying them near you, their website is: www.kentcrisps.com
I hope to have time to do more foodie blogs in amongst my tour and historical ones, so do let me know if there is a particular South Eastern food that you think I should be trying.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
If you go down to the woods today...
The weather is absolutely glorious here in the South East at the moment - summer has come at last! Though I think it may be rather a shock when we get back to "normal" temperatures for autumn.
Last weekend I went on a drive around the beautiful Ashdown Forest, in East Sussex. Once a royal hunting forest, today a fabulous place to go for a ramble or horse ride. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) it stretches for 2500 hectares. From open heathland to wooded copses its a fabulous place to spend a day. Not only are there plenty of walks, but places to visit too, such as the Ashdown Forest Centre or the Llama Park!
The Forest is also home to a well loved children's character, Winnie the Pooh. Created by A.A.Milne in 1926 for his son, Christopher Robin, Pooh and his friends Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet have been ensconced in children's consciousnesses ever since. I stopped off in the village of Hartfield to visit Pooh Corner, a shop where you can buy anything and everything Pooh related - it was fabulous! You can buy cards, toys, books and even gardening equipment for children with Pooh and his friends on! You can even buy online: www.pooh-country.co.uk
You can buy maps and follow the trail of Pooh around the Forest. From the Enchanted Forest and Galleons Leap to playing Pooh Sticks at Pooh Bridge. A magical exploration of the world of Winnie the Pooh for children, big and small alike.
There are some lovely villages within and surrounding the Forest that are great to stop off at to grab an ice cream, do some shopping, or merely sit and have a drink in a cafe or traditional old pub - Forest Row, Maresfield and Crowborough to name a few. There are also the gardens of The National Trust owned Sheffield Park to explore plus a ride on the first preserved standard gauge passenger railway in the world, the Bluebell Railway.
So if you are visiting the South East of England this week, make the most of the glorious weather - go for a stroll in Ashdown Forest and then maybe head down to the beaches at Brighton, Camber, Broadstairs or Hastings to cool your feet. Whatever you choose to do - enjoy!
Last weekend I went on a drive around the beautiful Ashdown Forest, in East Sussex. Once a royal hunting forest, today a fabulous place to go for a ramble or horse ride. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) it stretches for 2500 hectares. From open heathland to wooded copses its a fabulous place to spend a day. Not only are there plenty of walks, but places to visit too, such as the Ashdown Forest Centre or the Llama Park!
The Forest is also home to a well loved children's character, Winnie the Pooh. Created by A.A.Milne in 1926 for his son, Christopher Robin, Pooh and his friends Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet have been ensconced in children's consciousnesses ever since. I stopped off in the village of Hartfield to visit Pooh Corner, a shop where you can buy anything and everything Pooh related - it was fabulous! You can buy cards, toys, books and even gardening equipment for children with Pooh and his friends on! You can even buy online: www.pooh-country.co.uk
You can buy maps and follow the trail of Pooh around the Forest. From the Enchanted Forest and Galleons Leap to playing Pooh Sticks at Pooh Bridge. A magical exploration of the world of Winnie the Pooh for children, big and small alike.
There are some lovely villages within and surrounding the Forest that are great to stop off at to grab an ice cream, do some shopping, or merely sit and have a drink in a cafe or traditional old pub - Forest Row, Maresfield and Crowborough to name a few. There are also the gardens of The National Trust owned Sheffield Park to explore plus a ride on the first preserved standard gauge passenger railway in the world, the Bluebell Railway.
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| Forest Row, East Sussex |
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| Sheffield Park |
So if you are visiting the South East of England this week, make the most of the glorious weather - go for a stroll in Ashdown Forest and then maybe head down to the beaches at Brighton, Camber, Broadstairs or Hastings to cool your feet. Whatever you choose to do - enjoy!
Monday, 26 September 2011
Countryfile in Kent
If you had time to watch on Sunday evening on BBC 1 the very popular Countryfile - usually handily on just before another high rating programme for the BBC, The Antiques Roadshow, you would have seen that they were featuring Kent as their main location for the episode.
It was wonderful to see featured Brogdale, home of The National Fruit Collection (featured in an earlier blog by myself) which is out near historic Faversham. Hundreds of varieties of plums, cherries, apples, nuts and pears are grown here, and when you visit you can not only walk amongst the orchards but happily pick the fruit straight off the tree and eat it! Many a time I've visited and come away with a rather full tummy from "scrumping" various varieties from the branches. To top it all you can happily sit and enjoy a cup of tea and a then a shop in the Market Place there as well! Perfect. And to top it all if you were to head into Faversham itself you could organise yourself a visit to the UK's oldest brewery - Shepherd Neame. A tour of here can be made part of your overall visit to Faversham and Brogdale, including a historic guided walk by Discover South East England. Just contact me for further details.
Continuing on their theme of Kent on Countryfile, although no mention was made of the hop picking that used to, and in some areas, still, continues; the presenters travelled to the coast to find rock oysters and inland to explore Down House, the home of the great naturalist Charles Darwin. It was here at Down House that Darwin wrote the famous "On the Origin of Species" and would wander his garden collecting and observing wildlife. The house and garden has just been short-listed for World Heritage Status this year. For further information about Down House - take a look at: www.englishheritage.org.uk and search for the property.
The programme finally ended on one of the more unusual games unique to Kent - Bat and Trap. Still played in many local pubs, the game is believed to have been an early form of cricket. As simply as I can I will try and explain the game - you have a paddle or bat, and to release a ball from inside a box (known as the trap) you have to press on a release mechanism with your bat. Once released the ball springs into the air and in that moment you have to hit the ball and try and get it to land at the other end of the pitch between two posts. You then score if you do so. At that end are the other team who have to catch the ball and then roll it back to the trap, trying to hit a target on the front of the trap. If the target is knocked over then you are out of the game and the points are lost! Not as complicated as cricket, but still difficult enough. There are many more intricacies to the game but I will leave it to you to find out more via: www.batandtrap.org/
If you missed Countryfile on Sunday you can still watch a repeat of it on i player - go to: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv - enjoy!
It was wonderful to see featured Brogdale, home of The National Fruit Collection (featured in an earlier blog by myself) which is out near historic Faversham. Hundreds of varieties of plums, cherries, apples, nuts and pears are grown here, and when you visit you can not only walk amongst the orchards but happily pick the fruit straight off the tree and eat it! Many a time I've visited and come away with a rather full tummy from "scrumping" various varieties from the branches. To top it all you can happily sit and enjoy a cup of tea and a then a shop in the Market Place there as well! Perfect. And to top it all if you were to head into Faversham itself you could organise yourself a visit to the UK's oldest brewery - Shepherd Neame. A tour of here can be made part of your overall visit to Faversham and Brogdale, including a historic guided walk by Discover South East England. Just contact me for further details.
Continuing on their theme of Kent on Countryfile, although no mention was made of the hop picking that used to, and in some areas, still, continues; the presenters travelled to the coast to find rock oysters and inland to explore Down House, the home of the great naturalist Charles Darwin. It was here at Down House that Darwin wrote the famous "On the Origin of Species" and would wander his garden collecting and observing wildlife. The house and garden has just been short-listed for World Heritage Status this year. For further information about Down House - take a look at: www.englishheritage.org.uk and search for the property.
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| Dawin's Study at Down House, Kent |
The programme finally ended on one of the more unusual games unique to Kent - Bat and Trap. Still played in many local pubs, the game is believed to have been an early form of cricket. As simply as I can I will try and explain the game - you have a paddle or bat, and to release a ball from inside a box (known as the trap) you have to press on a release mechanism with your bat. Once released the ball springs into the air and in that moment you have to hit the ball and try and get it to land at the other end of the pitch between two posts. You then score if you do so. At that end are the other team who have to catch the ball and then roll it back to the trap, trying to hit a target on the front of the trap. If the target is knocked over then you are out of the game and the points are lost! Not as complicated as cricket, but still difficult enough. There are many more intricacies to the game but I will leave it to you to find out more via: www.batandtrap.org/
If you missed Countryfile on Sunday you can still watch a repeat of it on i player - go to: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv - enjoy!
Thursday, 22 September 2011
New Readers!
The viewers of my website and blog are ever expanding! Welcome to readers from Brazil, Ireland, Estonia, Singapore, Canada, Germany and Portugal!
Do please drop me a line to discuss travel plans to the UK, even if you aren't visiting the South East, or just send me a message to simply say hello! You can even say hello to me now on twitter too - I'm @cathdiscoversee. (Everything said on my twitter account are my personal thoughts and not that of the company.) Look forward to your tweets and thoughts.
Do please drop me a line to discuss travel plans to the UK, even if you aren't visiting the South East, or just send me a message to simply say hello! You can even say hello to me now on twitter too - I'm @cathdiscoversee. (Everything said on my twitter account are my personal thoughts and not that of the company.) Look forward to your tweets and thoughts.
Monday, 19 September 2011
Christmas!!
I know, far too early it seems to be talking about Christmas already, but it is less than 100 days till the 25th rolls around again. I just wanted to make mention on here to keep your eyes posted for some exciting plans I have coming up for this year!! The elves are busy with not only Father Christmas, but in my grotto too and coming up with some winter wonderland tours and other activities. You will just have to watch this space, and hope that you have been a good boy or girl this year!
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