A Blustry Weekend

Last weekend we leaped on the train and trundled down to Eastbourne to visit my parents.

We went for a very windy walk along the sea front on Saturday afternoon, just in time to enjoy some beautiful blue skies and bright sunshine before the clouds arrived.

I found a shouting-man stone.

We managed to come back with only a couple of pebbles and avoid the 'I-weigh-several-kilos-extra-with-my-coat-on(thepoacketsarefullofpebbles)', which is our beach trip standard.

It was actually warm enough for me to whip off my cardigan to show you my outfit - the skirt I made a few weeks ago, and the top I said I would make!

I love wearing a whole handmade outfit, it's so exciting.

The top is made from a delicious piece of silk left over from a ball gown I made last year, in a very simple pattern I drew up.  I did have to cut the front in two pieces as I was a bit short on fabric! 

Shortly after this photo was taken the clouds closed in, the temperature dropped and we practically flew home, arriving blustered and battered and with serious hedge hair.

Any notions of a romantic fish and chip supper on the beach were completely written off, so we wandered into town to see what was available.  A little American style diner caught our eye where we had supper with some rather high profile customers...

The weather managed to muster some sunshine for Sunday and so we went for a wander round some Open Gardens in Bexhill.  These were open through the National Garden Scheme which is well worth investigating (http://www.ngs.org.uk/), a perfect weekend activity - a gentle amble round some beautiful local gardens followed by afternoon tea, and all in aid of various charities.  I love looking at the flowers, though Edward 's interest waned rather fast until we reached the garden with the tea and cake.

I wish I could show you how beautiful these roses smelt; heady, summery, beautiful.

This is Sweet Cicely, which grows wild and looks a bit like Cow Parsley.  You can eat the little stalky seed heads (on the left) and they have a sweet aniseed-y taste.  Hedgerow sweet shop.

This enormous Clematis also smelt amazing - a very delicate scent, the sort of thing you could stuff your nose into for hours.

There's something to brighten your day!