Things to do near Rye

The Shipping forecast
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips
There are plenty of places to see around Rye. Start with the wild country around Dungeness and the Romney Marshes.
Then go for a trip to Sissinghurst and Great Dixter. These are my favourite gardens. I have been going to Sissinghurst since an early obsession with Harold Nicolson. I [...]

Marmalade and whisky bread and butter pudding

We made this pudding at Christmas vistiting James and Elizabeth and we all helped put it together. It’s a great dish and if you use a nice brioche loaf it will be light and fluffy. Make sure you do not leave any dry fruit or bread crust otherwise it will burn. Serve with ice-cream.
Ingredients
300g [...]

Pinkworthy pond

Pinkery pondOriginally uploaded by Mr_Chips
Pinkworthy (pronounced Pinkery) pond – a short walk on Exmoor.
Birds – stonechat and buzzards.
Position – Exmoor – Challacombe – Simonsbath road – park at Goats Bridge.
Time – 2 hours.
Supplies: The Black Venus pub and stores in Challacombe.
I love this walk and I am always trying to get people to come out [...]

malt loaf

Malt loaf
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips
This is a great quick cake to make and sliced with butter it makes a very filling treat on a walk.
1 cup of all bran, 1 cup of sugar (slightly less for the health conscience), 1 cup of raisins and sultanas mixed. 1 cup of tea, 1 cup of [...]

The Old Forge Restaurant, Rye

My favourite restaurant in Rye (but now taken over I am afraid so this review is out of date until I can get there again ). Its tucked away around on Wish Street, its been going for ever and the owner holds forth in the middle of the dining room from where he [...]

Tartlets

Tartlets
I made these jolly little tartlets to take on a pre christmas party. I got some ideas from My French Cuisine . I used pre- bought puff pastry although they did rather puff up too much.
Ingedients: pastry, onions, bacon, eggs, yoghurt or milk, cheese, a variety of fillings – soft cheese, walnuts, olives [...]

Flap jack

I had some delicious flapjacks from Barrow House Youth Hostel when I was training some pupils on a Gold DoE. The flapjacks kept me going for four days on the hills over Easter. I can honestly say that they were the best flapjacks in the world so if you are staying in the Lake District [...]

Tea at the Apothecary, Rye

Tea at the Apothecary
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips
Nothing like tea and toasted tea-cakes at The Apothecary. A rambling tea shop in Rye. Leather armchairs, newspapers and a congenial atmosphere. You have to walk in the wild wind for a few hours to deserve this and to enjoy the atmosphere to the full!
We had a pot of [...]

Chocolate brownies.

Chocolate brownies.
Originally uploaded by Mr_Chips
I borrowed this recipe from Nigella Lawson. I used it to wow some of my students and they loved it although they did suggest that I added some white chocolate. I could only eat it with yoghurt. However, I had some left over and thought I would have to [...]

Marmalade

Lovely amber beauties
Home made seville orange marmalade is Ymzala’s staple conserve. Usually served on toast with coffee before setting out on the latest walk. I always serve this with coffee instead of biscuits. You need a bit of substance when heading out into the wild British countryside.This recipe is from my mother who used to [...]