Category Archives: England

Operation Pied Piper

Posted on July 11, 2019 by

Remember the childhood fairy tale about a man with a flute, who lured all the children of the village away from their parents, after the townsfolk failed to honour their promise too him? With the best intentions in the world, … Continue reading →

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Of Battenberg Cake & Coronation Chicken

Posted on July 3, 2019 by

I have spent a long morning immersed in English history in the Great Hall at Carisbrooke Castle, trying to untangle the web of European connections that is the British Royal Family. What better way, then, to blow away the cobwebs … Continue reading →

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Back to Basics

Posted on June 19, 2019 by

Dougal, Florence, Dylan, Zebby, Oliver and Compton. Old or new, all the campervans in the Fishbourne fleet have a name, many with a Magic Roundabout twist. In the beginning, there was an Ermentrude, too. Ours was Isla. As in Isla … Continue reading →

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Glorious Gardens

Posted on June 16, 2019 by

Spring is rolling into summer, and although the weather may not be participating, the fields and hedgerows are lush and green – even more so, perhaps, thanks to days of heavy rain. It wasn’t exactly what we were expecting though, … Continue reading →

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Carisbrooke Castle

Posted on June 5, 2019 by

“It is my earnest hope and desire that with the help and co-operation of others, I may be able to form a full collection of objects of historical interest connected with the Island.” ~ Princes Beatrice of Battenburg When I … Continue reading →

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A Few of My Favourite Things

Posted on May 27, 2019 by

It sometimes happens that the town child is more alive to the fresh beauty of the country than a child who is country born. ~ Beatrix Potter I first came across Hannah Dale’s designs in a National Trust shop and … Continue reading →

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The Glories of Garlic

Posted on May 20, 2019 by

“Garlic used as it should be used is the soul, the divine essence, of cookery. The cook who can employ it successfully will be found to possess the delicacy of perception, the accuracy of judgment, and the dexterity of hand … Continue reading →

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Wight Wines

Posted on May 5, 2019 by

The first time we visited Adgestone Vineyard, it was mid-winter. The air was still. The vines were sleeping. The car park was empty. As we got out of our car, we were greeted with fervent enthusiasm by two incredibly fluffy … Continue reading →

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A Bird’s Eye View

Posted on April 26, 2019 by

And I dream I’m an eagle And I dream I can spread my wings Flying high, high, I’m a bird in the sky I’m an eagle that rides on the breeze. High, high, what a feeling to fly Over mountains … Continue reading →

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Contemplating Island Life

Posted on April 17, 2019 by

“Nights and days came and passed, and summer and winter and the rain. And it was good to be a little Island. A part of the world, and a world of its own, all surrounded by the bright blue sea.” ~ Margaret Wise Brown, The Little … Continue reading →

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