Countryside Antics

There aren't many things that I love more than spending time outdoors in the countryside.

I am lucky that my parents live on an old apple farm so we have loads of space surrounding us when we head back there.

Last weekend we spend the majority of the weekend outside; clearing it the barn, burning a bonfire, lazing in the sun.

Now that the evenings are longer and the days are warmer being able to get back to the country for the weekend is a real treat.

Are you a country or city person?  What's your favourite thing about the country?

What Made Me Smile This Week...

Last weekend we went back to Canterbury to my parents and really saw nature at it's best.  We went on 2 gorgeous walks through the woods.  We foraged chestnuts, saw some beautiful fungi, found loads of ant hills, woodpecker holes and ate the the last of the seasons blackberries along the way.

This tasty apple dessert is on the list for dinner on Saturday night.  Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere really does find some gooooood recipes!

I really love all of the meals that Rachel Shultz put together this week.  They all look so scrummy and I am a massive believer of meal planning.  The Asian Noodle Soup With Prawns was on our meal plan for Monday this week.

I got offered a new job which is fantastic but realised that I would need an updated wardrobe.  I popped to Next and was really pleased with the black knit skirt (only £18!) and gorgeous silky black vest. I could resist these skinny jeans (only £26) either (not for work) and I think maybe the fit even better than Dorothy Perkins jeans (my go to jean for years!)

Asian Noodle Soup with Prawns - 'Home at 7, Dinner by 8' by Sarah Wright

Next - Knit Pencil Skirt

Next - Skinny Jeans

Taking In Nature

We had such a wonderful time last weekend spent over in Canterbury at my parents house.  They are surrounded by woods and fields and the weather was so nice that both days we headed out for wintery countryside walks.

On Saturday we collected chestnuts and then roasted them in the oven that evening for a tasty treat while watching our own little fireworks display and standing around the (rather impressive) bonfire. 

Family and friends all came to join in and it was such a lovely autumnal gathering with mulled cider, hot dogs and gorgeous roasted chestnuts.

I didn't quite pull of the 'Walking in the woods' look that Eva from Creativity and Chocolate has pulled off here, but sometimes hiking boots, a bobble hat and a waxed jacket does the trick!

Exploring the country

I have lived in Brighton for 4 years and there has been a walk that I have been waiting to do since I first moved in - Cuckmere Haven.  I don't know why it's taken me quite so long to get there, but this weekend I finally did.  My cousin came down to stay and it gave me someone to go with.  

The Park Trail that we picked is a 3 mile round walk which takes you up a hill over the side of the valley, passed the gorgeous meandering river, over and through farmland, and up onto the cliff top looking across the sea and the Seven Sisters.

From the top of the cliff we could see for miles, and most definitely didn't get too near the edge - one gust of wind and we would have gone over!  There is a plethora of chalk that has gathered on the grass and visitors to the area write their names and symbols on the grass.  I liked this heart and arrow - simple but cute.

Not only is the area fascinating for the geography, but also the area is steeped in History. It was used by smugglers in the 16th and 17th Century but the history that is still very evident today is the defences from World War 2.  There are pill boxes and tank defences and you could really picture how it would have been.  The atmosphere was helped by the war planes heading over every 10 minutes to the Eastbourne Air show this weekend.

We headed down the hill into the valley and followed the river onto the beach.  It was brilliant how on one walk we could see so much.

In the end we took a detour off the Park Trail and did a 4.5 mile walk and will all our stopping and examining the plants, pill boxes and beach we took 2 hours and had a fabulous time.

We got back to the car just as the heavens opened and headed back to Brighton for the compulsory fish and chips!

#CompulsorySelfie