Friday 13 August 2010

Seven Sisters - what would these mean to you?


Perhaps seven sisters? Or Artemis’ companions - the Pleiades; a star cluster “Pleiades”; or various locations around the world – a break in a mountain range in Baja California, Mexico; other mountain chains; an area, a road, rail and underground station in London; a group of Stalinist skyscrapers in Moscow; high altitude caves on the planet Mars ... or as here a group of chalk cliffs in England .. all named Seven Sisters.
1885 The Pleiades by symbolist painter Elihu Vedder

Our Seven Sisters featured as Wikipedia’s picture of the day on Monday, 9th August 2010, and so I thought a summer tour of places in and around my area of Eastbourne .. simple reading and beautiful pictures. This group of chalk cliffs on the Sussex coast has recently been included within a new National Park, before that the Seven Sisters Country Park covered these remnants of dry valleys in the chalk South Downs, which are gradually being eroded by the sea.


In summer 2009, a similar landscape photograph of the cliffs was chosen as an official desktop wallpaper and included with the Microsoft operating system Windows 7 as part of the "United Kingdom" localised theme; (appropriate that the Seven Sisters picture was chosen for Windows 7).


I walked down to the cottages (see below) and onto the beach recently where the sea is at the edge of the gardens with recent landslips easily seen. Between the cottages and the Seven Sisters stretching towards Beachy Head and Eastbourne beyond, in an area of flood plains lies the ancient smuggling Cuckmere River, now giving budding geographers a magnificent view of a meandering river, containing several oxbows .. artists, photographers, ornithologists and nature lovers flock here to see the wonders abounding in such a picturesque valley.
How Beachy Head lighthouse was built: the photo shows a temporary cable car transporting workers and stones to an iron ocean platform adjacent to the lighthouse, which is nearing completion in 1902. If you knew how unstable these cliffs are .. this photo brings fear to my heart!


Where else would you find names such as Short Bottom, Rough Brow, Brass Point and Limekiln Bottom – for some of the eight (not seven – I thought we could count here in England – perhaps not!) peaks and dips. A New Zealand friend (of South African heritage – where I met her) came to stay for a while .. and she loved walking – so she set off from my house in the middle of Eastbourne to walk to Cuckmere Haven ... she got the bus back – proclaiming on her arrival .. ‘that was some switchback ride!’ .. the ups and downs took their toll – she ached and hobbled for a few days thereafter! The brows and the bottoms are well trodden chalky paths full of sharp flint stones, which hold the chalky cliffs in place until they are dislodged loosening the chalk around them.
The iconic view of the fishermens' cottages across to the Seven (or eight?) Sisters and east towards Beachy Head and Eastbourne at the end of the South Downs, where the English Channel takes over!

Further west along the coast is a tide mill – something I had not heard of .. have you? .. it is now abandoned .. but in the Industrial Revolution times of the 1700s industrialists were keen to extend their skills to new technical applications .. the tide mill, erected by the Duke of Newcastle, was used to grind corn.

Looking at the derelict scrubby coastal area and weather battered coast it is not surprising that the workers’ cottages (housing about 100 workders) supporting the village and its mill were condemned as unfit for habitation in 1936, after the mill closed in 1900 – as newer technologies spread.
The Mill House 1880. Look right and see the remains of the wall highlighted above. The millway siding can be seen which followed today’s pathway. This picture clearly shows the windmill that was also part of the tide mill complex at Tide Mills (the site is derelict today)

The Sussex Archaeological Society has started a long term project ensuring that the relics and available records, including early film, video, recollections and photographs logging the decline of the area are not lost. The area accommodated vast numbers of Canadian troops during World War II – again another reason to clear the land as a clear line of attack/defence, but also for street fighting training.

We have a Long Man (right) – the first recorded drawing was done earlier than the Tide Mill in 1710 .. and over the years has evolved into the Long Man we know today. These prehistoric hill figures, of which not many exist in England, are perhaps pagan symbols or emblems dating back to the Bronze Age. The Long Man of Wilmington is 69.2 metres (227 feet) tall and designed to look in proportion when viewed from below.

The Sussex Archaeological Society now also manage this site and its surrounds, while during the war it was painted green to avoid it being used as a landmark by German aircraft.


A few miles inland up the Cuckmere River where it is still tidal – sits the very picturesque village of Alfriston – where the National Trust bought their first property in 1896 for £10. The timber framed building of the 14th century has a fine detail on the cornice ... perhaps inspring the National Trust’s emblem of an Oak Leaf (see left). Amazing workmanship though .. I love the detail carved into the fabric of the farmhouse that it once was ..

.. where else would you expect to find a rare chalk and sour milk floor?! The rammed chalk flooring was hardened and made relatively dust free by pouring soured milk over it! To keep the dust down – sounds like a good idea .. it doesn’t smell – so I guess the smell dissipates over time.

Now what would be better but a short drive over the Cuckmere River from Alfriston, along its beautiful twisting valley to rise up the Seven Sisters by road and on to Jevington a tiny parish, but with one overriding call of the hungry man – the Hungry Monk restaurant – where Bannoffee pie was invented.

Have you heard of this wonderful, probably now the ubiquitous, gooey toffee banana dessert? It was originally made on a pie crust .. but I have to say I prefer a digestive biscuit base. Crushed biscuits held together with melted butter, a toffee centre, made from ‘boiled in the tin’ condensed milk, sliced bananas and topped with cream of your choice .. deliciously gungy and absolutely calorific .. perhaps the way to a man’s heart .. after the cook has eaten a fair amount in the kitchen before serving?!

Well that was quick tour from a pre-Christian church site at Alfriston, to the 14th century farmer’s cottage, now the National Trust Clergy House ... perhaps the later farmers took their corn to the new-fangled industrial tidal mill for grinding ... to one of the first Societies to preserve our heritage .. the National Trust, while the Sussex Archaeological Society maintains the pagan Long Man site, and records the village community of the tidal mill and its surrounds, to the re-siting of the lighthouse at the base of Beachy Head before satiating ourselves at the Hungry Monk restauarant .. all within a few miles of each other in and around the Sussex coast.

There’s plenty more .. but I need to work the Banoffee pie off – perhaps by a walk through the beautiful downland of the Sussex coast and its environs ..

Dear Mr Postman – we’re back to my mother not being able to hear .. and after the flood – life is still not sorted .. the challenge with not being able to hear is frustrating because I cannot explain to her what is going on. Poor Ma – she keeps saying ‘why can’t you speak up?’ .... ‘can you hear yourself?’ .. but when you can’t explain it’s her hearing! I’ll try again today ..

we had a postcard and she can recognise the writing etc .. and I put two new temporary posters up .. which she seemed to like – copies of posters from my house .. A, B, Cs of African birds and African animals .. – so pictures, writing and things to think about - she’s chatting away to herself .. perhaps philosophising would be a better word!

PS - the recipe .. in case anyone is interested .. I use butter and digestive crumbs as the base - not the pastry .. but your choice! http://www.hungrymonk.co.uk/pages/banoffi.htm

Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

61 comments:

Chase March said...

Weren't the Seven Sisters a Greek myth?

I find it interesting that things all over the world can have the same names.

I've often wondered why every city seems to have the exact same street names as well.

What is it with these names that make them so enduring to people?

Dot said...

Very picturesque and fascinating! Also, re Mr. Postman, would your mother recognize a drawing of ears with an "X" drawn through them? Perhaps with some added pointing to her ears? Just a thought.

Theresa Milstein said...

It's interesting to learn about where you live. The landscape and seascape pictures are beautiful.

That dessert looks and sound delicious.

Anonymous said...

The Long Man of Wilmington is a stunning image. I have often wondered how they managed to carve such images into the earth, considering their size! Absolutely amazing. :o

And some of those place names make me laugh because they just feel right. If places have character, the names of those places ought to as well. :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Chase .. they are part of classical Greek mythology .. as companions of Artemis (the 7 daughters of the titan Altas and the sea-nymph Pleione ... and they are the sisters of Calypso, Hyas, the Hyades and the Hesperides) The Pleiades were nymphs in the train of Artemis, and together with the 7 Hyades were nursemaids and teachers to the infant Bacchus: all this wonderful information courtesy of Wikipedia!

Yes – me too .. always surprises me to find Newcastles & coal in South Africa and Australia – not sure about Canada ... but the early settlers would have liked to remember where they came from – perhaps? Lack of imagination – dare I say it? But also streets were called after trades .. as I wrote about Lombard Street – the financial sector – earlier goldsmiths, money lenders and pawnbrokers .. from the Lombardy region of Italy ...

Here’s the post - & you didn’t comment! then: http://positiveletters.blogspot.com/2010/05/shambles-pawn-brokers-hay-market.html

So you’re right .. re names – but if you look around some are familiar, some have changed with the times and reflect Old English, or Norman, Saxon etc ..

Thanks – another post here I think! Hope you enjoy it Chase – all the best ... Hilary

Karen Lange said...

Always enjoy your photos and info. You always share such interesting things:) Have an amazingly wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Karen

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Dot .. thanks - it's good to see you here .. the drawing idea is a good one - except I can't draw.

Also if you knew how quick witted she is .. a great deal of the time .. - that's why she's asking me if I can hear myself - her brain isn't relating to the fact that it's her ears (from the stroke) .. now she's back at the Home - we'll try and settle down to some form of communication

I had her looking at the computer today - but I can't easily use the laptop without a keyboard and mouse - and I'm not sure how much she can see ..

But I'm prepared to try anything .. to communicate with her ..

So more than just a thought .. thanks Dot for the input - appreciated ..

Hope all's well your end .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Theresa .. thanks - it does open our eyes to different parts of the world .. and the landscape is beautiful down here.

You're right .. the dessert is too delicious for words ..

Thanks - great to see you - enjoy the weekend .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Tony .. gosh you two guys (Chase and you) are ensuring I work for my comments?! It seems that the Long Man is a type of geoglyph usually designed to be seen from afar rather than above .. the new material overlaid is often chalk (easy to cut and light to transport) – hence their appearance in the Sussex and Wiltshire chalklands.

A geoglyph is a drawing on the ground – such as those of the Nazca Lines in Peru, South Australia (Maree Man), Western Australia, parts of the Great Basin Desert in the SW USA .. there’s two excellent depictions in Wikipedia under geoglyph.

I think they’ve recently done some ‘clarification work’ – on how the ancients made these long ago landmarks .. as you say .. how?! You’re an artist too .. I couldn’t remotely begin to work that out!

Place names make me laugh too .. but what they do to the Long Man must make him want to weep or dance aloud with his long proboscis .. not the right word!!

Have a great weekend with Cassie .. happy days - Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Karen .. just delighted you enjoy the information .. I try to do different .. makes it a little more interesting to you - and actually to me too.

So really good to hear you like the posts with their pictures .. visual helps a lot ..

Have a great weekend .. and thanks for popping by - Hilary

Vered said...

I can almost taste the gooey toffee banana dessert! YUM.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Vered .. it is too delicious .. and glad to see you here .. a good pud (as we describe it) for the kids really sticky and sweet - most kids (young and old) love it!

Have a good weekend .. Hilary

Snaggle Tooth said...

Very iteresting sights from your local zone! Nice white cliffs- have heard of them. I especially like the Long Man figure.
Pleiades constellation was near the shooting stars from the Persied meteor showers I watched Fri am ...
Fun things to read here- I'll be back.
Thanks for recently commenting on ESR!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi SnaggleTooth .. You don’t seem to have a follow me button – or am I being blind – quite likely?

Thanks for visiting .. great to see you .. our white cliffs of Dover (Kent) – appear on the Sussex coast too .. the Long Man seems to be intriguing people.

I heard about the meteor showers – tv doesn’t feature at the moment – but thanks for telling us about the fact that the Pleiades constellation was nearby .. small world!

I wanted to write more about the Pleiades .. and the Greeks with their myths about the constellations .. and you’ve given me another thought on this – I can add it in to another post sometime soon.

Good to see you .. and thanks for the visit – glad you enjoyed it .. all the best Hilary

Mason Canyon said...

Very beautiful photos. I enjoy learning about other areas of the world. Your spot is very pretty and intriguing.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Southpaw said...

Great information and beautiful pictures. I will say that toffee and banana are a perfect match.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Mason – good to see you and very pleased you enjoyed the photos and learning a little about East Sussex .. it is very beautiful down here .. the English lanes can twist and turn around .. especially in the summer sun! Have a good weekend .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Holly .. – thanks for popping by .. and very pleased you enjoyed the info and the pictures. I agree toffee and banana are quite (very!) good mix .. and now I’d quite like a piece of pie – but no such luck! Enjoy the weekend .. Hilary

Blue Bunny said...

deerist my lovly hilree.

my jannie started reeding this post then seen the foto of the toffee bannana desert and she runned to the kitchin to maek a pie and drink a beers.

so i guess yoo wil see my jannie back when she done eeting a pie, and her dishes is kleen, and her landree done and other stuffs too.

wit loves,

BB who thinks yoo are very very nise!
ox

Arlee Bird said...

I've always associated the seven sisters with the constellation. The chalk cliffs look pretty awesome, but the cable car was indeed a foolhardy risk.

We have some geoglyphs in the California desert that I was reading about recently. The is speculation they were done by ancestors of what were to become the Aztecs. It is a mystery why they were done when nobody could really see them from the ground. Does make you wonder about them being done for or by exterrestial visitors.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi BB .. how wonderful to see you – I know you’ve been so busy recently with holiday time, taking Kelly back to gymnastics and Tai Kwando (is it?!), then that Lady mistress of Funsterland is strumming away, singing quietly as she goes about her business of finding new lyrics, new words, new melodies .. and weaving new songs together .. she’s one clever mistress.

BB – did she runs strate to kitchin to rustle up bannoffeeee pie .. wiv a few beres .. did she finich de dishes, landree end othver housewifees stuff .. beres may hav sents her to sleepietights ... ?

Gud to see U .. me too tinks U end Funster occupants are greatsy fun .. .. havs a gud Sunday .. be good though! Xoxox Hilreee ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lee – thanks for coming by .. association of names to places, people or areas we know seems to make sense .. and it always comes as a surprise when there’s lots of other alternatives – even Stalinist skyscrapers, or caves on Mars ...

The geoglyphs sound interesting .. more are being found around the world, including land based pre-ancient sites – now we can scout the earth ‘seeing’ what might have been below .. to find out more about our past. The Aztec and American continent empires certainly had incredible powers in being able to create such wonderful buildings, communities for their peoples .. I hope we can find out more and understand more ...

Thank you for your interesting comment adding to our vision and thoughts .. good to see you - have a good weekend .. Hilary

Liara Covert said...

To be at peace with yourself is to accept what you notice as it is. Some people marvel or question the names and history of perceived structures and landmarks. Other people remember how to love phenomena as they present or arise. As you awaken to the beauty of self-discovery, you encounter inner mountains, and emerge with wise actions and attitudes. How you describe what you encounter does not matter, but where the words come from does. Notice when they arise from stillness of the heart. Sense harmony everywhere. Judgment of the external world fades as you accept the true self unconditionally.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Liara ...Thanks for commenting – to be at peace will be a wonderful achievement .. and to be able to write from stillness .. I can write from my heart – but it’s in my head. The descriptions and names of places in the world are just names and places .. but they are fun to write about and to link together sometimes.

Sense harmony everywhere .. we could all do with that thought – thanks – have a good week ... Hilary

Anonymous said...

Great Photos and interesting information. Thanks for sharing.

~Ron

Jannie Funster said...

Dearest Hilary, some day I shall post pix of our ancestral home in Canada, where Dad still lives in the house built in 1830. Down the field are 100' cliffs, which the 7 Sisters remind me of a bit.

And guess what?? YOU are Queen for a day over at Funsterment Central! yes, top of my sidebar you are today. I hope you like your button! :) It will move down one slot a day for 21 days or 21 buttons -- whichever comes first, to slip off, but return in a Grande Recap post!

xoxo

BB sends love. He ate half the pie!!

Wilma Ham said...

Oh Hilary, your photos of delicious food are always making me hungry. I am pleased you tasted it and gave it the okay. It looked absolutely divine. Interesting those coasts and how scary indeed to have a cable car driving off them. Shame your mother lost her hearing again, I do admire your consistent attempts to still communicate. Much love to you both, xox Wilma

Sibyl - alternaview said...

Hilary: As always, thanks for the amazing description and exposure to things I may probably never have an opportunity to see in person. It was yet another great experience. Very interesting. I hope you enjoyed your pie :)

Evita said...

Hi Hilary

That is an interesting read... I am not familiar at all with the sites you describe, or the idea of the 7 sisters. I found it interesting that you wrote about the "7" on the "13" - th. A societally accepted "lucky" number with an "unlucky". I personally love all numbers and know that it is always in the power of the mind that we assign any meaning to any number, symbol, meaning, etc....

Sorry to hear about your mom, but Hilary I truly believe there is a beautiful gift and connection in the role she plays in your life and you in hers.

Many blessings to you always and your kind heart!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Ron .. thanks for visiting and having a look at the photos and info .. glad you enjoyed it .. have a good week .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jannie .. hey – thank you .. I’ve just been over and spotted ‘Jasmine’ “our dark grey squirrel” as my logo for Positive Letters at the top of your sidebar buttons – fantastic – I’ll learn to do that when I move over to WP ..

& I’m Queen at Funsterment Central – wunderbar!! (for a week)

Then it slippeth off the 7 sisters and into the great English Channel Divide before it resurfaces in Austin sometime hence .. brilliante .. don’t post for a week or two – then post for Africa – so mine pops back up again!

Thank you for coming back .. – it would be so interesting to see your ancestral home in Canada .. where your father lives – and the house built in 1830 – Jannie you must show us!! I demand it – I’ll send Hardwick over to ensure it happens! With some history .. or we could do a linking post – I’ll do a little history . .. and you can find some pics?

Byeee for now – have an excellent songster week .. raise the rooves in Funsterland .. hugs Hilary xoxox

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Wilma .. glad you loved the foodie pic .. it was delicious my first taste when I worked in a local hostelry on my return from South Africa .. too gungy for words!

I learnt quite a lot about the East Sussex area – we skirt over so much .. but don’t know much –

I’ve now thought of another idea .. which I’m going to try – as poor Mum – said to me yesterday ‘it must be so boring for you’ .... I felt very sad .. but tried not to show it. The thing I find difficult is the constant moving – things to do .. and I can’t sit quietly .. still done now - & I’ll take a book with me today and perhaps some pictures ..

I hope her hearing comes back ... – thanks for the love and hugs .. have a good week ahead – with thoughts – xoxo Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sibyl – thanks – just so glad you enjoy the descriptions and can perhaps relate a little to this part of the world ... I hope you’ll have a chance to get over and see little old England and some of Europe – so many interesting things to see!

Yes – occasionally a delicious dessert is just wonderful! Not too often ... enjoy your week – great to see you – Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Evita .. thanks and glad you enjoyed it .. I was going to write it on the 12th – but it slipped into the 13th – I thought a little about the 13th .. but I was born on the 13th and so consider it ‘lucky’ and Friday the 13th especially .. as I was 13 on one of those ... and I’ve lived in a number of ‘13s’ .. so it is my lucky number .. and I tend to avoid 7 – because it’s so many others’ lucky number! But I too don’t distinguish .. a number is a number ... the Seven Sisters are the seven sisters - a name assigned to many sevens!

Poor Mum – it is difficult for her – especially when she has one of those days of being awake a lot .. but I hope life will get easier soon and I’ll be more relaxed and organised and so can settle more when I’m with her ..

Thanks so much for your thoughts – as you so rightly say she’s given me something that I can turn into a future to benefit others ... your comments and blessings are such a gift – and much appreciated .. Hilary

... Paige said...

loverly pics and infomation and not to mention that pie; i gained 20 pounds just looking at it

J.D. Meier said...

I wonder who thought of pouring sour milk as a cure for the dust.

I guess we have way better solutions now ;)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

HiPaige .. yup – I think you’re about right 20lbs gain .. especially with the 2nds and 3rds – can’t leave it!

Glad you enjoyed the pics and info .. have a good rest of the week .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi JD .. well I agree with you – but I suppose some farmer or farmer’s wife or housekeeper – as I gather it was the farmer and housekeeper who lived there originally in the 14th century .. perhaps she saved herself walking to the river and filling up – by pouring the sour milk over the floor - ... the way all inventions occurred – except perhaps in this era?!

I have to say sour milk is one of the worst smells .. but we do seem to get around it now – but with the flood at my mother’s I’m not sure I’d agree with that comment .. oh well .. c’est la vie ..

Great to see you - thanks for the visit - Hilary

Jannie Funster said...

Well, dearest my Hilary,

I hate to pop any bubble you may be bouncing around with joy in -- but you are queen for ONE day. (or until the newer button pushes you down a notch.)

But I'm sure you understand!

Yes, I look at Jasmine's fine profile in my sidebar, and smile with love and friendship for my dear Hilary!

xoxo

Oh, won't it be GREAT whenst I post pix of those cliffs at my parents' place??

xoxo(agin)

Jannie Funster said...

P.S Those link buttons are EASY to put up!! Just a matter of having the photo uploaded to your media (easy) and slipping in a bit of code in to link it up in a widget.

It is EXCITING you moving to Wordpress. I think you'll love it.

I loves me some WP!!!

xoxo

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Jannie .. posts x 2 .. well thank you – now you really have popped my bubble .. I’ve been bubbling around very happily allday – Queen for a while! .. but no – just for a day .. oh oh .. well then I’ll have to succumb to accepting being pushed around – down and down til I’m out & at the top again!!

I tinks Ise understood!!

That picture is a pretty good one of a Jasmine squirrel .. ours that popped in to say hello to everyone in the Nursing Centre was of a lighter grey colour – youngy I thinks ..

Yes – your parents’ place pictures will be so interesting – an ancestral home .. so interesting to hear about – 180 years of Mrs Funster before she was Mrs Funster of Funsterland ..

& ok .. WP looks like it might be fun .. may not start with this blog – but I’ll be along and join in the fun – with loads of people to ask for helps .. BB included .. guardian of the header sections ..

I know thee loves your WP .. I sees the themes et al being tinkered with all the times .. tinker – time to tinker .. that will be wunderbar ..

Happy nights .. and a happy singing week .. and I’ll watch for my button to appear at the top again .. xoxox .. to all .. Hilareeeee

Blue Bunny said...

deerest my hillree,

hi! me heer -- BB to say hello.

I forgot to menshin i haz 7 sisters, and 9 brudders -- and that is just from last yeer.

i haz 839 altogetters.

wit loves, from me
BB

well, back to helping my jannie wit she songs. she now singing new werds to "drinking she stars up" like this...

beeinng wit yoo is so mutch fun
oo, yoo maeks me feel so yung.

and....

i stil kant beleve yoo is heer
kome a littel kloser deer.

all mushy leeriks of romantz.

butt wotever maeks my jannie happee. she is the big song riter and thinks she knows best wot she iz doing.


xoxoxo

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I'll have to see if Alfriston is near my grandparent's house...and plan a trip on my next visit. :)

Davina said...

Hilary,
The village of Alfriston catches my attention here. The farmhouse, the details in the wood, the... chalk and sour milk floor? I've never heard of THAT before. I'm intrigued. Living in a village, in a log cabin or quaint wooden buildings... for some reason that idea has always appealed to me.

And you wouldn't have to ask me twice to indulge in that dessert!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi BB – reellie gud to zee U ... I can’t remember how many brudders and sisters U alredy hav – I knows the nummbrs were in the hundreds .. I sees lots of your cuzins in the fields here.

You keeps Jannie up to the mark wiv her songs end werds end I wood luv to be kloser end having your funs listening to Jannie wiv her music end mushy leeriks of romantz .. I luvs the wedgie song ... zo az U says .. Jannie knows her stuff – we’ll just enjoy the results ..

Enjoys the week .. happy days .. a few lullabies along the way .. hugs to you all .. Hilree xoxoxox

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Sharon .. are they down in East Sussex .. it is a lovely area to visit .. and Alfriston is definitely picturesque – visiting your grandparents will definitely give you a chance to look around – but I have only ‘touched’ a few of the wonderful sights in our area .. Perhaps we can meet up – if and when you come .. that would great and a fun time .. enjoy today .. Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Davina .. there are lovely walks around Alfriston .. or you can hike 80 miles to Winchester! The sour milk .. as I guessed for JD – perhaps excess soured milk .. that reacted with the chalk, which hardened from the pounding and the mix ...

A village with a green around which the houses are situated can make for a wonderful atmosphere .. here the Church takes up a portion of the Green and the Cuckmere River continues the rest of that side .. and the little Clergy House and its garden with raised beds are on one of the other narrow sides .. but the setting is beautiful – and the Green is used for village activities.

After your walk – you could easily have a decent slice of dessert and a spoonful in the kitchen too! Have a good day .. we’re having a good soaking day .. ie good rain, but not too hard .. which hopefully will sink into the land .. all the best - Hilary

Mandy Allen said...

I too saw the amazing meteor shower, although some of the country was shrouded in clouded - pity. Great post, Hilary, and fabulous pictures, as always. Sorry to hear about your mum's hearing again, how frustrating for you both. My mum is due home any day having made great progress! I hope the housing situation is moving forwards!

Enjoy the journey.

Mandy

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Mandy .. did you .. I rather wish I’d now looked out to see the meteor shower – but hadn’t fully realised their impact – or for that matter that I’d be writing a post about stars (amongst other things) shortly after .. !

Glad you enjoyed the post and the pictures .. I like linking the ‘story line’ with pictures .. I learn more!

Glad to hear your mother is making progress – that’s excellent news for you both – all the best with her return etc .. and I hope that she’ll settle down quite quickly once she’s in her own or your environment .. so much easier for the patient in some respects. Yes – my poor Ma .. but I’ve had a thought – just need to progress my life a little more this week and do some catch up work etc .. thanks the housing situation will be sorted in the next x weeks! Til then I can do my thing fortunately ..

By the way - many thanks for that wonderful comment over on Barbara's blog - that you think this blog would make a good book .. really appreciate the supportive thought ..

Look after yourself in the coming days with your mother’s return .. Hilary

Mark said...

Thanks for the fabulous tour! I lived in Calne, England for a while and we had a giant horse similar to the long man on the side of a hill right before you got to town.

Paul C said...

Yes, this is a wonderful overview of a spectacular coastal area. The chalk cliffs are amazing. Having to work off a dessert, not just any dessert, brought a chuckle. A 'malady' whose cure inflicts many of us.

Susan Blake said...

Hi Hilary! Those names are great, the photos other-worldly and that pie, oh that pie! I dare not even dwell on the decadence!
Hugs,
suZen

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Mark .. glad you enjoyed it .. Yes – Wiltshire has the most well known chalk creature – the White Horse ..very clearly standing out. Great to see you here – thanks for coming by during your holidays .. happy days – Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Paul – many thanks and good to see you. There are some lovely rolling views around here – views of fields full of corn, linseed, rape etc .. along with wildflower shows – which are beautiful as they wave in the breeze with the coast line beyond – and the sea showing its weather signs to us ..

There are plenty of walks here to ensure you can have good digestion after one of these ‘eye larger than stomach’ dinners! Thanks for coming by – Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi SuZen .. lovely seeing you – as you say our names are so informative and fun .. we can, so often, learn about our history from them; the pie is a good buffet dessert for large numbers and I know you have a few of those family dos?! Good to see you .. as you pack to leave the Lake .. Hilary

Barbara Swafford said...

Hi Hilary,

The name of your post intrigued me since in our area we have a mountain range named "Three Sisters". Your seven sisters are truly beautiful.

I had to laugh at the part where you said, "...perhaps the way to a man’s heart .. after the cook has eaten a fair amount in the kitchen before serving?!" (Sorry dear, this recipe only makes one piece haha)

((hugs)) to you and your mum. I pray her hearing returns real soon.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Barbara .. thanks .. I’m not sure where you are in the States .. Three Sisters – I expect there are masses of those too around the world – under sea and in the skies! These cliffs are not particularly high – but they’re a good landmark and provide beautiful iconic scenery.

Well .. isn’t the best bit – eating the goodies in the kitchen?! Me too I was smiling happily as I wrote it ... I’m sure when I was a child making sponge cakes – only half the recipe ever got into the oven!

Thanks for your thoughts re my Ma .. I too dearly hope her hearing returns and stays returned this time .. – good to see you – thanks and have a good day tomorrow! Hilary

Talli Roland said...

Oh, I love the Seven Sisters! I did the walk a few years ago on a brilliant spring day - it was breath-taking. Thanks for the memories!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Talli .. absolutely - on a clear crisp day, when the sea is turquoise, sea=green, hues of blue and practically every plant, tree and 'scape are so sharply depicted - it is a brilliant place to walk as you say .. glad I brought back memories for you! Have a good day today .. Hilary

Anonymous said...

I found your post very interesting.

I had never heard of floors made of chalk and sour milk. I found that quite interesting!

Bannoffee pie? What a name for something that sounds delicious. I'd give that yummy looking dessert a try.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susanne .. thank you – good to have you here and commenting. I know chalk and sour milk – what they got up to in those days?!

Actually you reminded me that I never put the link in at the bottom of the page .. which I should have done ... now done .. but I prefer the crust to be of crushed digestives and butter mix .. so now there it is ..

It’s a good standby dessert .. the condensed milk tins can just wait for use, once toffeed up! Enjoy if you decide to make it .. perhaps this weekend .. happy days – or may be it’s too sticky for a hot USA?! Lovely seeing you here .. Hilary