Author: Kaowser

Sussex, Uncategorized, Villages

MEMORIES FROM MALTA When West Sussex became my second home for many years – and how that came about – Part Two

By Albert Fenech The first part I wrote about how very often the twists and turns of life are just simply amazing – often, bizarre. Amazingly, they continue throughout... Read more.
Eastbourne, Historic Buildings, History, Sussex

When Eastbourne Suffered Bombing Devastation

Civilians in war are usually the first to suffer, and Eastbourne on the UK’s south coast was no exception when WW2 started in earnest. Only three enemy planes... Read more.
Celebrity, Historic Buildings, History, Kent, Uncategorized

Canterbury Cathedral. A Stunning Building

By Lyn Funnell Canterbury is a beautiful city, and luckily it has been well-preserved through the centuries. Parking was easy and reasonably priced, and then a short... Read more.
woman washing clothes
History, Sussex, Uncategorized

Exploring Colourful Old Sussex Words and their Meaning

As well as being mixed species (man and woman – whoever thought that would work as a combination?!), Hub and I cross the divide – the north/south divide,... Read more.
Uncategorized

Eastbourne’s Blue Plaques

There are over thirty blue plaques on the walls of Eastbourne’s buildings in this East Sussex coastal town, denoting where someone famous has been connected with.... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex, Uncategorized

Sussex Pumpkin Tart, not the Prettiest of Desserts. Easy to Make

By Lyn Funnell The Americans love their Pumpkin Pies. But they’re not pies as they don’t have a lid. And I can’t understand why they often use... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Entertainment, Forestry and Nature, Historic Buildings, History, Kent

Mount Ephraim, Luxurious B&B in the Kent Countryside. Part 2 The Gardens and Fruit Farm

By Lyn Funnell After we booked in to our room in the beautiful B&B wing in Mount Ephraim, we went out to explore the Edwardian gardens, which stretch over 10…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Coastal, Eastbourne, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

Memories from Malta The Blue Song Thrush, one of Malta’s Symbols but also breeds in Sussex and in fact, worldwide

By Albert Fenech If you go out into your garden or are walking around a public park, do NOT bother to search for to see or to hear the melodious…... Read more.
Celebrity, Charity, Eastbourne, Entertainment, Sussex, Uncategorized

Going Underground: Rockin’ Around the Clock in Eastbourne

It’s 11.15 on a Saturday morning and I’m sitting watching a live music performance with a cuppa and a biscuit in my hands.  Not very rock’n’roll, you might... Read more.
Charity, Entertainment, History, Sussex

Newick Bonfire Night

By Lyn Funnell Bonfire Societies are very popular around East Sussex, many of them with traditions, like Lewes, dating back through several centuries. They march... Read more.
Entertainment, Food and Drink, Historic Buildings, History, Kent

Mount Ephraim, Luxurious B&B in the Kent Countryside.

By Lyn Funnell Passing through the high wrought iron gates, we drove slowly along the curved drive, with beautiful landscaped gardens on each side. And there in... Read more.
Coastal, Eastbourne, History, Sussex

Beachy Head, a Renowned Beauty Area

by Harry Pope There is an area of outstanding natural beauty to the west of Eastbourne on the south coast called Beachy Head. There is a long winding road to…... Read more.
Alvin with an Oreo biscuit
Animals & Wildlife, Celebrity, Sussex

Alvin the Celebrity Squirrel of Hailsham, Sussex

Appearing fairly high on a list of “words you’re unlikely to hear in a Sussex town” is the phrase “Look – a squirrel on a lead.” It’s a normal... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Celebrity, Forestry and Nature, History, Kent, Villages

Lynsore Bottom in Kent

By Lyn Funnell The Kentish hamlet of Lynsore Bottom (tee hee hee) is in Pett Bottom (snigger snigger.) But all childish toilet humour aside, Pett Bottom, which is... Read more.
Historic Buildings, History, Sussex, Uncategorized

SUSSEX FOLK KEEP ON TRUGGING

By Elizabeth Wright ‘Willow, willow, bend it true, Here’s a Sussex trug for you. First the chestnut frame you form, Steam it gently, soft and warm. Then bend... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex, Uncategorized, Villages

It’s Pumpkin Time Again!

By Lyn Funnell Pumpkins are a great Winter food. They’re cheap, filling and versatile. And they keep for months. We paid our annual visit to Sheepgate Farm in... Read more.
Underside of Brighton i360 Observation Pod
Charity, Coastal, Sussex

Dangling from Brighton’s i360 – for a Great Cause

Brighton, that melange of oddities nestled between the English Channel’s chilly tides and the rolling South Downs, does not do normal. Nor does my friend Ann. ... Read more.
Coastal, Eastbourne, History, Sussex, Uncategorized

Eastbourne’s Artisan Area

by Harry Pope Eastbourne on the south coast is a strange contract, to the west the more affluent, and to the east of the dividing line of pier the old…... Read more.
Entrance to Dreamland, Margate, Kent
Coastal, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Historic Buildings, History, Kent

Margate: Fun, History, Music, Art, Delicious Food & Fresh Sea Air – Part 2

Welcome back!  Let’s pick up where we left off in Part 1 of my review of the eclectic seaside town of Margate on the Kent coast.  Come with me now…... Read more.
Coastal, Historic Buildings, History, Kent, Sussex, Uncategorized

MEMORIES FROM MALTA  The Martello Towers – and yet more identical features between Malta, Kent and Sussex

By ALBERT FENECH Since humanity acquired the acumen of mobility and then enhanced it with maritime voyaging, a time-span of many, many hundreds of years, islands... Read more.
Historic Margate Sign
Coastal, Entertainment, Food and Drink, Historic Buildings, History, Kent, Uncategorized

Margate: Fun, History, Music, Art, Delicious Food & Fresh Sea Air – Part 1

It seems you can’t open a paper or magazine these days without reading about the gentrification of Margate and the corresponding increase in its house prices. ... Read more.
Sussex, Uncategorized

Outside your Comfort Zone. Five More Short Stories by Sussex Writer Lyn Funnell

Publisher Andrews UK has started  publishing Short Stories that people can download when they fancy a quick read. And they’re only 99p each! And they’ve turned... Read more.
Celebrity, Historic Buildings, History, Sussex, Villages

Strolling Through Slindon Village

By Wendy Hughes   We decided to return to the village of Slindon to explore it a little closer, and we certainly were not disappointed. The 20th century writer... Read more.
Coastal, Eastbourne, Historic Buildings, History, Sussex

The Romans Invaded Eastbourne

By Harry Pope Eastbourne is on the Sussex coast, mid-way between Brighton and Hastings. No strategic value, so not a lot of reason to welcome a Roman settlement... Read more.
Sri Lankan Leopard cub print by Nick Day
Animals & Wildlife, Art, Celebrity, Sussex, Uncategorized

On the Sussex Art Trail & Meeting Wildlife Artist, Nick Day

If you had any doubt about the number of artists based in the county of Sussex, the annual Art Wave Festival instantly dispels that myth. Art Wave has been running…... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

Sussex Cauliflower Cheese Patties

Light but filling, these tasty cauliflower patties are very easy to make. You just blitz the ingredients in a food processor, then spoon them onto a baking tray.... Read more.
Entertainment, Sussex, Uncategorized

Outside your Comfort Zone. Five Short Stories by Sussex Writer Lyn Funnell

Publisher Andrews UK has started  publishing Short Stories that people can download when they fancy a quick read. And they’re only 99p each! And they’ve turned... Read more.
Historic Buildings, History, Sussex, Uncategorized, Villages

Hailsham – Not just Another Sussex Town.

Hailsham High Street. Note the church peeping over on the right. Hailsham looks like many other small Sussex towns when you first visit it, with the same High Street... Read more.
Coastal, Eastbourne, Entertainment, History, Sussex

Where is the Eastbourne Camera Obscura?

by Harry Pope There are very few camera obscuras left in the UK, but there is a hidden gem in the Sussex seaside town of Eastbourne. Walk onto Eastbourne’s 1870…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Coastal, Eastbourne, Sussex

IT’S A DOG’S LIFE ON THE SUSSEX DOWNS

BY Elizabeth Wright This part of the South Downs, in East Sussex is a paradise for both dogs and their owners. The attractions are obvious – the stark beauty... Read more.
Upper Dicker Village Shop and Cafe
Food and Drink, Historic Buildings, Sussex, Villages

A Gem of a Cafe and Shop in Upper Dicker, East Sussex

Mostly, Unknown Kent and Sussex aims to bring interesting places, events and people to our readers’ (yes, there is more than one of you) attention, but it’s... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

Potato Upside-down Tart With Little Sussex Cheese

By Lyn Funnell This is an unusual tart but well worth the effort! Just build up the layers. Ingredients; About 10 cherry tomatoes, cut in half. Do use these as…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Forestry and Nature, Sussex

Pegs & Pitches in Wild Boar Wood, Sussex

By Lyn Funnell In Wild Boar Wood, Horsted Keynes, hides a wonderful camp site. It’s right next to the Bluebell Railway track, it’s totally safe and it’s... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Eastbourne, History, Sussex, Uncategorized

The Last Shepherd of Beachy Head

By Elizabeth Wright Stephen Blackmore (1833-1920) was described by historian Arthur Broke as, “The last of the old race of Southdown shepherds, a man apart from... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

Memories from Malta Mediterranean-style preparations of Cephalopods – ok octopus and squid – compared to Sussex coastal preparations

By Albert Fenech I never fail to remain amazed at the relativity of my stays in Kent and Sussex mirroring my Maltese homeland and upbringing. The amazement is based... Read more.
Front of Walpole Bay Hotel, Margate
Celebrity, Coastal, Historic Buildings, Kent

So Much More Than a Hotel: Walpole Bay Hotel, Living Museum & Napery

The moment you pull up outside the Walpole Bay Hotel in Margate’s Cliftonville area you know you’re about to enter somewhere special.  We’re only at the other... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

Bread Tarts

By Lyn Funnell Here is another great recipe, using bread. The filling is your choice. You could use roast or stewed vegetables, or a sweet filling, like jam. 12... Read more.
Celebrity, Entertainment, Forestry and Nature, History, Sussex, Villages

Hartfield, Sussex, where Winnie the Pooh was Born

By Lyn Funnell I was never a fan of the stories of Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh and his friends, although I loved the drawings and the toys. But as…... Read more.
Animals & Wildlife, Coastal, Eastbourne, Sussex, Uncategorized

A Game Bird in Langley, Eastbourne

By Elizabeth Wright Her audiences were fascinated as she sat on the back shelf of her owner’s Citroen Estate, looking like a large chicken in fancy  dress. One... Read more.
Spinach, mushrooms, caramelised onions, hazelnuts, rocket pizza
Coastal, Food and Drink, Kent

Would You Drive 82 Miles Each Way for a Pizza?

If you answered in the negative, you’ve obviously never eaten at GB Pizza in Margate.  If you answered “YES,” then I’m guessing you’ve already had the... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex, Uncategorized

Apple Cheesecake Using locally-picked Apples and Sussex Slipcote Cheese

By Lyn Funnell A great success! Very simple to make. Sussex Slipcote is a fresh cheese usually made from ewe‘s milk by the High Weald Dairy in West Sussex, England.... Read more.
Celebrity, History, Kent, Uncategorized

Have you ever been to Teapot Island?

By Lyn Funnell. Luke I’m a little teapot, short and stout Here’s my handle, here’s my spout. When the water’s boiling hear me shout Tip me up and pour me…... Read more.
Celebrity, Coastal, Eastbourne, Entertainment, Historic Buildings, History, Sussex

A Hot Victorian Theatre

 by Harry Pope   It used to be real fun to be a volunteer usher at my local Royal Hippodrome Theatre here in Eastbourne, so it was a natural progression…... Read more.
Food and Drink, Sussex

MEMORIES FROM MALTA. Fried rabbit, my favourite meal; Yucky or Yummy? Does Sussex rabbit compare?

  By ALBERT FENECH My family name is FENECH and over scores of years it was associated with FENEK, the Maltese word for rabbits – the implications being that... Read more.
Entertainment, Forestry and Nature, History, Sussex, Uncategorized

The Flying Scotsman pays another Flying Visit to Sussex.

By Lyn Funnell The Flying Scotsman, probably the world’s most famous steam locomotive, paid a special centenary visit to the Bluebell Line recently, in August.... Read more.
Rajdutt Restaurant Building
Food and Drink, Sussex

Curry & Chuckles at Rajdutt Restaurant, Near Uckfield, East Sussex

We arrived at 8.30pm.  I guess it’s quite late for a Thursday evening so we were the only customers seated.  However, during our visit the “Just Eat” phone... Read more.
Food and Drink, Kent, Uncategorized

Kentish Broccoli and Blue Cheese Flan

By Lyn Funnell Kent is one of the biggest broccoli producers in the UK. If possible, use one of our local cheeses for this recipe. I’ve used the award-winning... Read more.