I recently had a friend over from South Africa … she was here
mainly to see a friend further west, who isn’t very well, but came and spent
three nights with me - so we could get to London and do a couple of things on her
bucket list …
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| Beautiful plum hollyhocks in Meads |
It was lovely to see her, catch up with news from friends in
SA, and to do something somewhat different … she also needs to take things easily …
so it was mostly taxis for the short journeys …
We met at the local train station, coming up for lunch at a
local pub in Meads village, an early development up the Downs, away from the
town centre …
The Pilot Inn – what better way to start a brief sojourn than
at the Pilot … situated at the foot of the Downs, but we’d come up – sorry I’m
in that mode at the moment! you’d think
I’d been drinking, or would have been … but 'twas not me at lunchtime … before
we got home.
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| Goat's Cheese with Caramelised Red Onion Tart |
One of us had goats cheese and caramelised red onion tart,
beetroot and mixed leaf salad with balsamic glaze and some pink Pinot Grigio …
… the local resident had the dressed crab with salad, new
potatoes, granary bread and butter … I forgot to take a picture … still these
will do very well.
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| Crab with a salad ...I waited for my smoked salmon in the evening |
Gosh at times I miss my mother … there was a crab outlet just
below where she lived in Newlyn, in Cornwall … and how often did we go down to
the crabbery and get crab for our meals …
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| Cranberry bread |
We’d already decided that we’d stay here and travel up and
down to London by train for each of the two days … it was cheaper, than staying
in London, which we’d considered … but meant we were back in our own surrounds
mid evening and able to get up in them.
More relaxing …
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| Lots of smoked salmon with some salad pieces, and the bread |
The first night … I’d got a variety of goodies in … and in the
end we had lots of smoked salmon, mixed salad leaves, salad pieces, cranberry,
orange, and pumpkin seed bread loaf – I don’t eat bread usually … but have on
occasions been having this bread which is delicious!
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| Late evening view onto the reef ... |
After tea and a rest, then settling into the flat I now needed
a drink … and we were set for lots of nattering and looking out at the view
from here … Sainsbury’s Sparkling Pinot Rosé has been waiting (since Christmas
I think!) for the right occasion and this is the description given:
Pinot Rosé Vino Spumante Extra
Dry … and it really did taste like this: “Intense aromas of violet and rose
with the fresh flavours of strawberry and raspberry. Perfect with light pasta dishes” – well we
failed there … but the wine was delicious … and we had plenty of food to keep
us happy.
Next time
we’re off to London town … there will be a few of these shortish recalls of her visit and time here ... not sure how many, but as I go on I'll let you: it won't be as many as 23 ... that I wrote up for the West Country tour I did in 2015/2016 ... possibly six of them ...
Hilary
Melton-Butcher
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Letters Inspirational Stories
58 comments:
It sounds absolutely lovely. I hope you and your friend had a blissful time together and look forward to hearing more.
I feel hungry after reading this and I've only just had breakfast! The Pinot Rosé looks good. I only enjoy dry wines and find many a rosé too sweet.
I think I have been to the Meads Village area but the last time I was in Eastbourne was for a Ladies Night in the De Vere Grand where we had a huge corner room with a great view from two sides. Must go there again!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s brittle Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
What could be better than visiting with an old friend, dining on good food and enjoying the taste of a fine wine. It sounds like a perfect few days.
What a delightful day and the sparking at the end sounds good. I like the tart and salads.Sounds like you are great friends, starting where you left off the last time together.
Sounds like thecperfecy day - food, fizz and friendship!
I mean perfect! Obviously, my typing is not perfect.
Sounds like great company and great food!
@ EC - yes we had a lovely time and continued to do so ...
@ Bazza - sorry about that - and you definitely can't drink after breakfast - time to wait before proper lunch comes around, or the yard arm time turns up!?! That Vino Spumante - was I must say was delicious ...
I'm sure you'd have wandered up into Meads if you'd been staying at the Grand - the room you had sounds amazing ... and definitely a place to visit again ... it's a quaint 'village' tucked in under the Downs ...
@ Arline - I agree not many things could be better ... we had a lovely time just relaxing back into sharing some time together ...
@ Anabel - it was a perfect day ... as you so rightly say food, fizz and friendship ... oh the typing did go a bit wonky didn't it ... but fun when I looked at it 'thecperfecy' ....
@ Alex - yes good food ... lots of healthy bits taken with some delightful fizz - well I had water up at the pub ... but enjoyed my pink fizz once home ...
Cheers and thanks for your comments - it was lovely having these days mulling over life and sharing SA times ... Hilary
Are "salad pieces" the foods you add to a salad, such as cucumbers and carrots? Your bread sounds yummy. I hope you both have a great time.
Love,
Janie
What a nice visit - how did you know people from South Africa? The red onion pie looks a little different from what we eat here. The cranberry bread and salad looks good. And I am with you with the wine! sandie
That sounds like the perfect way to spend time with a friend - good food, bubbly, and lots of good conversation. Enjoy the rest of her visit.
Well, you had great food, wine and company. What could be better than that?
I have seen the Pilot's Inn! I took a photo of it because it looked good to me but I haven't made it back there yet. Thanks for telling about it here!
Lovely post!
Sounds like a nice visit.
what fun - an old friend, sparkling wine, good food, and plenty of nattering
( I love that term). Have a great visit!
Stop it! You're making my mouth water!
@ Janie – salad pieces, are pieces of cucumber, radishes, celery bits, carrots etc – whatever’s around that fits the bill – so essentially as you thought … we had a sour cream and chive dip to dip them into. The bread is really good – unfortunately she’s returned to SA.
@ Sandie – yes I used to live in South Africa. The pie we had was a little different – but this one was quite delicious looking – and tasted good. I didn’t have wine then I waited til the evening …
@ Pamela – we did enjoy ourselves … as you say good food, bubbly and good conversation … she’s returned now.
@ Nick – absolutely nothing else … we had a lovely time – thank you.
@ Kay – I gather it’s recently changed hands and has improved – which I can tell you it has. I met another friend and she confirmed the Ship Inn is very good too …
@ Liz – it was fun …
@ Joanne – we did have lots of gossip and good remembrances of times past – and then were able to intersperse it with food, wine and song – next!
@ Sue – sorry ... always the trouble when writes about food …
Thanks for visiting, we had a lovely time as you can gather … sad she’s returned to sunny springing into Spring SA! Cheers Hilary
You've made me hungry!
I'm glad you and your friend had an enjoyable time.
oh such fun The food looks delicious and the view is beautiful Nothing better than having a good time with a friend in a nice place with food and wine
That sounds lovely, you certainly had a great time together ! I miss Eastbourne this year !
Going crabbing was my mom's way of getting "her" time. She'd change into shorts, grab the net, and head out in the boat. Sometimes she took the dog... she *never* took the children. :-D
But we got to help shell the crabs after she cooked them, so that was ok.
Isn't it fun to meet with friends and to relax a little? Some for those treats look quite lovely, and giving me some ideas for new recipes. Reading this is the perfect way to travel,and experience the joys of other countries. Thanks so much for letting us have a joyful time with you! Hugs and hope your day is fabulous...RO
Hi Hilary. It's lovely to meet up with old friends and reminise about the good old days. All of my old friends now live in either New Zealand, Australia or the United States. Nowhere I can afford to visit and they went as an entire family so have no need to come back to SA. They have been gone years and I don't hear from them anymore, they might have moved on to other places. So I know how good it must feel to see an old friend. The food you both enjoyed looks devine. Take care. Kim
Sounds like such a wonderful visit with your friend. And that view is so beautiful!! Looking forward to reading more of your adventure. :)
Oh my, what delicious-sounding repasts. And how delightful to catch-up with your friend and have a bit of an adventure too. Looking forward to the rest of your posts.
That wine sounds yummy. I always roll my eyes a little at wine descriptions, because I never can taste what they describe. I would have definitely liked to try it though! Sounds like a lovely time with your friend. :)
Your food descriptions sound wonderful Hilary, I particularly love crab and smoked salmon of course. But that Goat's Cheese with Caramelised Red Onion Tart looks delicious.
That food looks wonderful and so very British. I just can't eat as much as I used to so one of those would do me for the day.
Everything you mentioned food wise sounded wonderful...okay, that's a fib. I'd have to pass on the beets and onions. I'm not a fan of either. Everything else though: delicious! I enjoy wine every now and again, especially a nice blush.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Elsie
My husband is a huge crab lover. I'm not one for seafood, but I do like trying new things and that tart might be one of them. Hope you're having a lovely week, Hilary. :)
@ Patsy – sorry about that … expect it’s assuaged by now! Yes – we had a lovely time …
@ Marja – definitely fun and it was good food, with, once home, delightful views … we walked back down to the flat looking at Hastings across the bay.
@ Gattina – it was a lovely time … and I remember you said you’d miss Eastbourne this year …
@ Jz – what a lovely idea your Mom had to to get away … take herself off and go crabbing – with or without the dog … and oh well – makes sense to not take the kids! Bet she recouped her batteries out on the water.
I remember days shelling peas, or beans – we never did crabs (but home at that stage was inland) – thankfully they were done down at the crabbery when Mum had bought her place down in Cornwall … but fun times all sitting around in the kitchen or outside preparing things … sounds wonderful.
@ RO – yes ... always good to catch up with friends and relatives. I usually cook or prepare in a relaxed style … as we never really know what we’ll want, or what we’ve eaten during the day … so these sorts of meals make my life easy and there’s usually something for everyone …
That’s great you’re enjoying these sorts of posts – I think you’ll enjoy the next few …
@ Kim – I was the interloper into SA and then I emigrated back home (so to speak) – but it’s lovely having good friends who come over here, or I used to visit – but now don’t seem to.
Many of my friends in Zimbabwe and South Africa also left, and in fact one cousin’s daughter from here whom I hooked up with in SA, then came back and then went off to Oz. In this day and age – it’s possible to track people down … but if you’re not going to meet up again then perhaps let sleeping people lie … we enjoyed ourselves … and there are others I need to catch up with if I ever go over again …
@ Julie – thanks we had a lovely time and the flat I’m in has lovely views of the sea … watching the tides is relaxing … more posts being written!
@ Deborah – we had a good time: way too much eating and drinking … but it was great fun. More is on its way …
@ Sara – the wine was delicious and I haven’t got down to get some more (yet!!) … I agree sometimes you think … a ‘greeny tinge, scenting of hay’ … what’s that meant to taste of (a young wine) – but actually this Spumante was very delicious … and I think probably the description ‘fitted’ the taste. It was fun meeting up again …
@ Jo – the food was good – and I had other foods in the fridge in case we needed something other than the salads with more smoked salmon … but I think the Goat’s Cheese tart did look very good – it was enjoyed! My crab was excellent …
@ Kali – yes it probably is very British … and we’re in Eastbourne, which is a little more sedate. This first day was mostly salad with some fish for me, and the Goat’s Cheese tart for my friend … so it wasn’t a lot – I too am like you … not too much.
@ Elsie – personally I love beetroot and cooked onions (raw ones don’t suit me) … but we enjoyed these and had a relaxed evening with some vino … !
@ Christine – crab, lobsters and shellfish … I could eat til the cows came home!! But quite understand not everyone appreciates crab – good to know your husband does though. The tart is worth trying if you can find one somewhere near you … it’s good to try different things …
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting … food always elicits salivating comments! Cheers Hilary
This was one yummy post, Hilary. I'm enamoured of anything having to do with beets, so that salad really appealed to me.
I never would have imagined I would want a goat cheese and caramelized red onion tart, but now I want one.
Sounds like a lovely visit!
I could have sighed with contentment myself as I read about smoked salmon and cranberry bread! What a lovely time it must have been. Having that gorgeous view of the reef everyday is surely the reason your posts are so pleasant!
You've made me so hungry now!! Loved the post. You also made me want to travel again.
What a lovely visit.
I want some of that bread and wine!
I'm always in awe of your view.
What fun! Always lovely to meet up with friends. Take care..Ana
What feasts Hilary - am positively salivating! Feasts of food, feast of friendship, and feast of travelling to not so far away fabulous places. it all sounds wonderful!
Anything "seafood" makes my tummy smile, so your crab salad and smoked salmon sound terrific. We bought a bunch of live crabs last Friday and steamed them. (Eating steamed crabs isn't just a meal... it's an event!)
It sounds like you had a lovely time. It's always wonderful to spend time with an old friend, and throw in the good food and good wine, who could ask for more? Lots of laughs, maybe, which I'm sure you shared. (Especially after the wine!)
@ Lee - you're off to France - should be delicious feasts there ... but yes I too love beets ... and salad ...
@ CD - funny how a picture can entice one's taste buds ... as it's getting near supper time - I could put one in the oven quite happily! It was a lovely visit ...
@ Diedre - it's a meal I certainly enjoy ... in fact sometimes nothing better ... slow eating of oh so tasty food. Yes the sea views are delightful ...
@ Lynda - well we'd welcome you here ... lots to do and see - but Brisbane must be rather good too ...
@ Sandra - I'm lucky with the view .. it's been a pleasure to have it and see the sea changes ...
@ Ana - yes it is lovely to meet up with friends ...
@ Susan - it was a very comfortable happy visit - with the sorts of foods and vino we both enjoy and have done for years and years ...
@ Susan - I love seafood ... but your idea of a bunch of live crabs and steaming a la famille in the kitchen - sounds so much fun and so delicious. It certainly sounds like you make the steaming of the crabs into a family event ... I'd love to join in!
We did have a great time - lots of laughs, enjoyment at seeing each other again after all these years and we did share lots of wine and lots of happy memories ...
Thanks so much to you all - for enjoying the post with the memories, feasting and friendly happiness - cheers Hilary
Hilary, first know that you and your friends are in my prayers. Your trip and visit seem wonderful. I know your photos make me hungry! I LOVE fresh bread and vinaigrette. The goat cheese and caramelized onion looks delicious, too! Your blog is always a breath of fresh air for me. All the best to you, my dear!
Sadly I couldn't eat most of it, but what I can looks really good!
This will make you laugh. We never eat fast food. But many years ago when my husband took me to England, we ate at a McDonald's (REAL veggie burgers, something we couldn't get here at the time) and a Pizza Hut in Oxford that had corn and all sorts of unique treats as pizza toppings. And they were both SO good! LOL
It sounds like you had a delightful time. Thanks for sharing!
You always make me hungry! haha That tart looks really good.
I love bread and enjoy baking it, too. I've made cranberry bread before and it was yummy. :)
@ Victoria - thank you ... illness isn't easy is it. We had a lovely time ... the bread was a success! While I didn't try the tart - but I would certainly happily eat it ... I enjoyed my crab. So glad you enjoy visiting ... thanks for that ...
@ Diane - I know you're very specific in what you eat - I admire that. Oh gosh I'm with you re fast food - I really do not like it, and don't eat it either. Food campaigners have always been pushing for better food and veggie food ... so glad you were able to find some veggie burgers in England ... Pizza Hut does some interesting toppings - I must say now England has lots of veggie outlets ...
@ Truedessa - we had a lovely time ...
@ Chrys - I try and vary my posts ... and bring some interesting foodie snippets - just glad you enjoy them. Oh - how great you've made cranberry bread ...it is very good - though I don't eat bread if I can - just something I'm better off without it ... but know friends who bake it - and my mother used to make bread for us ...
Cheers Hilary
Ah, The Pilot! I used to lunch there every day when I had a business in Meads Street. My nephew who is the chef at St Andrews School has been running the kitchen at The Pilot during the summer holiday so it's quite likely he cooked your meal!
Lovely you got to spend time with your friend. That cranberry bread sounds interesting, not one I've tried, we have a Mediterranean bread sometimes. Fresh crab, how delicious but then I do rather like a goat's cheese tart too!
The photos are mouthwatering. It sounds like y'all had a fabulous visit. Now I'm craving a goat cheese salad and a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio. But, the Pinot Rose has piqued my tastebuds. It's my B/F/F's favorite. We don't get to see each other as much as we used to, but we aim for once or twice a year. We met in college (what y'all call University, and it is actually a University - I went to Ole Miss, The University of MS.), at age 17 and have been friends ever since. She lives in Charleston, but she's from Chicago. I have so many memories of Steve connected to her. This past summer's beach trip with her was good for my kids because they got to hear so many fun, wild and crazy stories about their dad and me and even some about their dad before me. He was from Chicago as well. Your bottle of Rose brought back all those stories. Isn't is wonderful catching up with old friends. I've vowed to start living life to the fullest - each and every day. We naturally assume we're going to be here at least until the early signs of old age and we too often take for granted that we have no idea when God has planned for us to come home to him, (sorry, no offense meant to those who have different religious beliefs or don't believe in god), just stating my own personal opinion. I just hate for anyone else to suffer a tragedy or loss before realizing that we aren't promised a tomorrow. So, I say eat all the good food, drink the good wine, spend time with people who make you smile and travel the world, if possible.
Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind words. You've always been such a good friend and overall good person. You're there whenever anyone in this Blogging/writing community is down or suffering. You're full of compassion and that's such a flattering character trait.
That's awesome that your friend was able to visit. It's always so nice to entertain! The bread does sound good. I'd love to try it!
@ Keith – ah yes … we tried the Pilot – first time I’ve been. I need to try the Ship sometime … oh how sensible that your nephew stands in for the chef during the holidays – and yes the school is right opposite – he probably did cook our meal … or prepare it – the pub was fairly full (Tuesday lunchtime). It was a good meal!!
@ Suzanne – we had fun and the cranberry bread took my fancy one day … I don’t usually eat bread … but this comes up as a choice occasionally. Well we couldn’t go wrong with our selection … and I do love goat’s cheese tart – but crab came first!
@ Melissa – how lovely to have such a long comment – with wonderful sentiments – thank you. I’m so pleased you felt you were able to recall so many things from my posting the Pinot Rose … and your ‘old mate’ from College sounds a delight – wonderful you have all those memories to share with her, and she was able to impart some snippets from the time you and Steve were together … which the kids now know about. I feel for you and for them … I think you’ll be seeing more of her as the years go by …
Yes – it’s lovely having an old friend visit and recalling days gone by in Africa and our mutual friends there …
I agree we need to take each opportunity as it arises, as we really don’t know what is around the corner in life. I’ve learnt that lesson too … and so continue on … meeting up with old friends, spending time with whomever is around and just enjoying life … and travel some more if possible.
It’s a pleasure to visit your blog – and so good to see you back – posting and writing once again … then the good things that will follow on – lots of memories for you all to hold on to …
Thanks – I try to think of others and be aware of their suffering … having experienced a fair amount of my own … so appreciate your words ---- one day perhaps we’ll share that glass of rose together … til then I’ll be seeing you around blogging land …
@ Rosey – we did have fun … though not nearly long enough – but sometimes we just need to do what we need to do …
Thanks so much for coming over and commenting – cheers Hilary
Your posts make me hungry. That food looks lovely! The hollyhocks are beautiful too. I have a hard time growing them here. A fungus often gets them.
Sounds like such fun. I think your meals sound really tasty. Beautiful photos too. Always great traveling with you. :)
~Jess
I understand you missing your mother. My mother-in-law always went straight for the crabs when she visited us in Cornwall. Those fishing villages around the coast were so exciting for all of us who love seafood.
@ Jean - food always entices us doesn't it ... and that food was good. The hollyhocks can get diseased here... but they seem to sprout up again the next year - they're magnificent flowers ...
@ Jess - so glad you're happy being here enjoying whatever you find in my posts - food, travel or history ...
@ Juliet- some things just come back and remind us of times with our parents ... the crabbery was one of them - as you know with your MIL. The fishing villages are wonderful with their seafood ...
Thanks so much for visiting -cheers Hilary
I'm salivating over that onion tart. Yum. And it's wonderful to sightsee when someone is visiting, isn't it?
Hi Lynn - the onion tart did look good - but I was so happy with my crab. We get to do different things if friends are around - that's for sure ... cheers Hilary
Thanks for sharing with us, Hilary! Eastbourne seems lovely, I'd like to visit there sometime.
Hi Deniz - it's a good place to live ... quietish, yet with enough going on ... near to London etc ... just miles from anywhere else!! Cheers Hilary
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