Pub Walk: the White Lion in Thakeham

Met some friendly locals in Thakeham

Hands down best pub in the Ashington area is the White Lion in Thakeham. It's hard to get to, but the food is amazing so it's popular with locals and visiting foodies alike. One of our neighbors tipped us off to it - getting there involves a short drive up a very narrow lane with numerous blind curves, barely wide enough for our Mini, then parking outside tiny medieval Warminghurst church and walking the rest of the way (about a half mile) on a private dirt road with public footpath access. Along this path are two lovely fields used as pasture for cows. On the north are the Holsteins (dairy) and to the south are future prime rib roasts. They are all very friendly and will insist on giving any exposed skin a thorough licking. Did you know cow tongues are really, really raspy? Velcro hooks or high grit sandpaper come to mind. We couldn't help stopping every time we made the trip. No matter where the cows were in the huge pasture, when they saw us stop at the fence they would come walking slowly over, usually with No. 12, the BossLady cow, in the lead. One time we had just finished some excellent burgers at the pub, and forgot -- let's just say the cows were not pleased. We were terribly embarrassed for our ghastly behavior. At least they forgave us the next time.

Changing Places: Sussex Edition

House, Mini Cooper, and Cat Exchange

We're halfway into a 3-week home exchange with a lovely couple, Peter and Cheryll, from West Sussex, UK. Their home is a 17th century timbered Cottage with achingly beautiful gardens in a tiny village called Ashington. So far everything has gone according to plan, no one has crashed going the wrong way on the road or snuffed a family pet. I had to watch a couple of YouTube videos on multi-lane roundabouts, which were a bit unnerving at first! But it all makes sense and I haven't had anyone honk at me since. I don't want to leave a scratch on their cute convertible Mini!

Low tide at Birling Gap

We spent the first week madly touring on a daily basis to see as much as possible... Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters, Cambridge and Grantchester, Amberly, Steyning, Chichester, Arundel, Portsmouth... and today Brighton. 

The Grand Pavilion, Brighton

The sun was out (finally!) and it was a glorious day, the pier and lanes filled with people of all sorts, absolutely fabulous people-watching. Had our Sunday roast (and some incredible G&T's) at The Hop Poles, a tiny pub in the Laines and then on to the Brighton Pier.

The iconic Brighton Pier

It was exactly as I've seen pictured, but better - the ocean breeze was warm, not biting, and the buzz in mid-May was fresh and happy, everyone enjoying the reprieve from the past two weeks of cloud and drizzle.  We'll be back to do more exploring, and check out the many vintage shops!