I just snatched a few days break down on the south coast of Britain to celebrate a friend’s ‘noughty’ birthday. He is one of the pioneers of the organic food movement in the UK. Friends came from all over the world to celebrate this special birthday and to enjoy the gorgeous feast of summer salads and koftas and the most unbelievably beautiful 80th birthday cake lavishly decorated with fresh flowers which had been lovingly transported all the way from Bristol to Hastings.
We loved these bhajis which our wonderfully colourful hostess with her wildflower tiara shared with us. Following the party, we spent a night in Ramsgate. Nearby, Margate is really rocking – it’s all happening in the seaside town with lots of independent shops, cafés, markets and clubs.
A highlight for us was to see the mysterious Shell Grotto, a series of underground passages and little rooms lavishly embellished with sea shells. It was discovered in 1835. There are lots of intriguing theories but as yet despite much diligent research no one seems to know who is responsible for this wonderful creation.
The shells are somewhat discoloured from many years of gas lighting, but the patterns are still evident. How about making a beautiful folly at home or in your garden from mussel, periwinkle, cockle, scallop and oyster shells which are mostly discarded so save your shells, even if it’s only to embellish a picture frame or a mirror. The beautiful Shell House that Blot Kerr-Wilson embellished in Ki.