Deauville Diary – Week Two

The Gallic misadventures of a Milford village idiot abroad.

Sunday: My birthday! – and my wife has to be nice to me for one day. We had whole lobster in restaurant, for only £26! Amusingly, I asked if it was French lobster (I asked the waiter, not the lobster) and he said “Non, no one can afford to buy French lobsters!”

Click image to enlarge

Monday: Expecting our first guests, Tim (my wife’s Dad) and Eddie (Tim’s biker friend), we set off on a trip to the supermarket to get some food in, I was loitering & drooling around the patisserie when I was attacked like a deranged Legionnaire by my wife. “You don’t want any of that!” she exclaimed. I quickly replied; “I was looking for something for your Dad.” Top move on my part, and I was spared further pain when she replied; “Oh, that’s OK then, get him something nice.” What a Daddy’s girl!

Tim and Eddie arrived, it had been a good day for a motorcycle ride, only rained most of the way. Both were previously ‘CHIPS Style’ motorbike cops, so they had enthusiastically accepted the invitation to inspect the French road laws. Swathed in leather and looking severely bedraggled, they pulled into the drive. Not sure what the neighbours made of the two monster bikes with leather clad riders dismounting, but thankfully neither of them had their formerly large moustaches from the seventies and it wasn’t ‘Gay Pride Week’ in Deauville.

Tuesday-Wednesday: As the guys regularly do road trips, they have become a cross between a perfect married couple and The Chuckle Brothers. The boys spent their days with us exploring and playing on the ‘D-Day Beaches, as well as discovering unexpected parts of Normandy. Each evening they meticulously planned their routes, calculated journey times and discussed what to eat and where. Then, on leaving our drive promptly got lost each day.

Thursday: Before the guys set off for home the next day we decided to have a meal out in one of the many local restaurants. Eddie’s meal of ‘langoustines’ arrived, the giant prawns looked quite plump and ever so slightly vicious. Alongside Eddie’s plate the waiter had left a sachet with an image of a large lemon on. As we all tucked in, Eddie opened the sachet and started squeezing the wet wipe with what he thought was lemon juice for his prawns. My wife and her dad sat dumbstruck, and knowing it would be impolite to laugh, I simply exploded into a fit of giggles falling to the floor and writhing about uncontrollably. So as not to embarrass our guest, I quickly pretended I had just recalled a joke I had heard this morning about Paul McCartney’s first row with his new wife, apparently she is spending twice as much on shoes as his last wife.

Friday: Finished third book and twentieth baguette. Mum, brother & sister in law and two good friends arriving tomorrow. This is sure to be traumatic, hope Peter hasn’t bought his guitar!

www.deauville.org/en

New additions at Braxton Gardens

Since reopening Braxton Gardens in Milford on Sea during May 2011 Simon and Sarah Relph’s plans are going from strength to strength. The tea room, run by Sarah, has been renamed Muffins Galore!, and now serve homemade muffins, cream teas, plain, fruit & gluten free scones and light lunches. The latest addition is the covered canopy area with a log burner, which is now a cosy place to enjoy tea and lunch in the colder months.

The gardens themselves have now been transformed to a level of tranquility and beauty. The gardens are constantly being tended and nurtured by Simon, with a new vegetable corner with carrots, beans, rocket and lettuce growing and the new herb corner which has been planted with rosemary, angelica, mint and calendula to name a few. There are three mature fruit trees at Braxton situated in the walled garden. A Mulberry, a Fig and a Quince which we have made jam from available in the shop adjacent to the kitchen.

As well as the perfectly striped lawns there is a lily pool to explore, where the fish are illusive (but there!), Braxton’s retail nursery is now open where you can purchase your herbs for your herb garden, herbaceous perennials grown from Braxton’s mother plants and your favourite David Austin Roses.

Braxton Gardens are now open Tuesday to Sunday all year round, why not pop down and take in the ‘new look’?

Braxton Gardens, Lymore Lane, Milford on-Sea, SO41 0TX
http://www.atbraxtongardens.com/
hello@atbraxtongardens.com
Tel: 01590 643601

Match your colours

Louise Stewart Gillespie-Smith (Daughter of Stewart Gillespie-Smith, Assistant Warden at All Saints’ Church) has just moved into Milford on Sea from London for a few months. For the past 7 years, Louise has run her own image consultant business in London where she gives people advice on the most flattering colours and styles of clothing for them to wear to look their best and feel good about themselves. She has also worked with Gok Wan, the TV stylist on her career travels. Also a qualified life coach, enables Louise to combine her coaching skills to help people feel good about themselves and raise their self confidence.

Louise is happy to provide her services to anyone locally whilst she is in the village, so if you are interested you can contact her below:

louise@createyourself.co.uk
http://www.createyourself.co.uk/

Deauville Diary – Week One

The Gallic misadventures of a Milford village idiot abroad.

Week one of our emigration has passed with little trauma or dramatic incident. I suspect that has something to do with the fact that my wife has spent most of it sleeping and dribbling. At the same time I have been enchanting many a shop assistant with my version of their language. Indeed I now look so French that on Tuesday a driver pulled over to ask me directions, as a local I of course immediately gave him the help he needed, but for some reason he seemed a lot more confused as he drove off.

Yesterday we ventured out to a local bistro (That’s French for Café) imagine my relief when I said to my wife; “What would you like my petit pois?” and she lovingly replied; “moules et frites vous grande porc.” Phew, I had been having cold sweat that she might choose the ‘sole meuniere’ on the menu at £46, yes, forty six of your English pounds! Reckon I could get two for that price at Verveine. At lunch today we nearly made the mistake for ordering ‘bulot mayonnaise’, luckily I recognised the waiter’s mime identifying ‘sea snails’ before my English wife placed her order. What would she do without me? It looks like eating out is going to be an adventure in itself, that’s if we can continue to afford it!

www.deauville.org/en

New Owners at Bay Trees

Mark and Sarah Clayson are the proud new owners of the Milford on Sea’s Alastair Sawday Listed 4 Gold Star Bed & Breakfast, The Bay Trees. They moved into the village in early August from Adderbury, a village 3 miles south of Banbury in Oxfordshire.

Mark and Sarah had stayed at The Bay Trees a while ago and when they discovered it was for sale they say they felt they just had to buy it! The lovely house and garden was too good an opportunity to miss.

This meant that in addition to selling their cottage in Adderbury, Mark had to sell his computer consultancy business and Sarah had to leave the local authority, with whom she had worked for over 12 years.

For Sarah it is almost a return home – she was born in Lymington and her Grand Parents had lived in Barton on Sea and Brockenhurst. Mark also knows the area well from many family holidays spent in the New Forest, Bournemouth and Sandbanks.

Prior to this change of career, Sarah had been managing Oxfordshire County Council’s Adoption Service and Mark had been running his own Computer Consultancy business for 17 years. As a graduate of Westminster Hotel School Mark had previously spent 20 years in Hospitality Industry management with major hotel companies including Trust Houses Forte, Strand Hotels and Grand Metropolitan.

With Sarah’s skills and love of cooking and Marks hospitality and tourism experience they are confident that they can build on The Bay Trees excellent reputation and look forward to joining the local community.

http://www.baytreebedandbreakfast.co.uk/
01590 642186

No 20% Off for me at Zaika

I normally avoid putting special offers, or upcoming events, in this news section, as I would be inundated with typing, which in turn would restrict the time I need to irritate my wife. However, on this occasion I have made an exception, as 20% off the food bill for all tables of 4 or more at Zaika Indian Restaurant in Milford on Sea throughout the whole of October, sounds a great deal for you local people.

Now, I do like Kalam, and I know his chef and kitchen team produce great Indian food.  However, I think his sense of humour is a bit weird. Why is he choosing to run this offer whilst I have emigrated to La France?!

If you would like to see the other current dining offers currently available in the village, please click here.

For the latest village events please just go to:
http://www.milfordonseacalendar.org/

Bench blockade

One of our intrepid unrewarded, yet enthusiastic reporters has spotted something quite odd. A rustic bench has appeared at the bottom of the footpath leading from Keyhaven Road (opposite Carrington Lane) to Sturt Pond. On an evening dog walk up the Sturt Pond footpath it wasn't there, the next morning, it was, and with traffic cones around it (whilst the cement to hold it in the ground dried off no doubt). Then the cones went and the bench remained, right across the bulk of the entrance to the footpath. She thought someone had done it as a joke, but as is often the case, fact is far weirder than fiction.

Of course benches are pleasant places to sit and while away the time, but I have not come across many that pretty much act as a blockade to an entire footpath. A bit of luck the kids are all grown up, I wouldn’t fancy my chances of getting a pram down there. Just a thought, the bench could really do with a table, and perhaps a matching partner facing it on the road. Would be great for picnic then.

I do however see a great opportunity for people like myself. Keeping fit is a bit of a challenge, but a swift run up, and the bench can become a great hurdle to jump. Indeed for the less able, they can simply stand on the seat and jump over the back.

Your very own village ‘Inspector Clueso’ would welcome any more information, or ridiculous comments, so if you have any thoughts please post them below.

Cash raised for Macmillan

A lot of scrummy home-made cakes were produced by ladies of the Milford Tennis & Squash Club for the recent Macmillan World's Biggest coffee morning event when just over £300 was raised. Apparently, the local Advertiser & Times when there might well be a photograph of the helpers and some of the club members. Anthony at Sullivan Mitchell was also able to raise around £100 from his coffee morning visitors.

I know a number of other events took place across the village and we hope they had equal success and a good time.



Reading Challenge winner announced

Our friendly Milford on Sea library, have announced the winners of The Circus Stars Summer Reading Challenge Prize Draw. Our congratulations go to: Alex Harmer-Manning (Age 4 -7) and Simeon Hellsten (Age 8 – 11) .  Well done guys!

I did pop along to claim a prize for myself, but apparently I was told politely, that being able to read almost fluently at 55 does not get you any awards.

Library Changes: Information about the proposals for changes to Hampshire's Library provision is now available in the Library. Please pop in and see how your library is affected.

Milford on Sea Library is open:

Monday 2.30pm - 5.30pm | Tuesday 2.30pm - 4.30pm | Wednesday 10am - 12.30pm | Friday 10am - 12.30pm

www.hants.gov.uk/library



JW Opening Party

JW Health & Holistic held their Official Launch Party last Thursday in the renovated ‘Old Bank’ in the lower High Street, Milford on Sea. The event was hosted by new owner Jane Watkins and her husband Ian, and was attended by around 50 of the great and good of Milford on Sea!

The weather could well be described as “scorchio”, forcing the party to overspill outside into the street. We hear guests enjoyed plenty of bubbly, bucks fizz and more, while having personal tours of the extensive facilities. In addition, demonstrations were available of hot stone therapy, Indian Head Massage, hair care and of course the Dermalife Spa Capsule, which is the only one in the region. Apparently, power plate taster sessions were booked solid, what ever they are?

The canapés were provided by La Perle, and to Priory Wines of Lymington came along with the champagne, Although I am not sure these are available every time you visit..

You can see photos from the event at: www.facebook.com/jwmilford

http://www.jw-milford.com/
01590 642057

Renal service for visitors

Visitors and holiday makers to Milford on Sea in need of holiday dialysis may be interested to know that Renal Services are available at Milford on Sea War Memorial Hospital. There are only a few places in UK which provide holiday dialysis so renal patients do not have a big choice of holiday destinations. They have to choose a place close to a renal unit.

To find out more please visit: http://www.renalservices.com/ 

Or contact: Marlena Mandat at mm@renalservices.com or call 077 6080 0932.



Allegro shine at The Marine

The Marine in Milford on Sea had a bevy of local talent performing for charity on Saturday night. The charity band ‘Allegro’, a contemporary Quartet headed by Jo Vesey, together with Christine Mulgrew, Musical Director of the Total Voice Choir, performed for a full house. The event was hosted by Richard and Sue, and was organised to raise money for the Children's ‘Piam Brown’ Leukemia Ward at the Southampton General Hospital.

Jo Vezey is the daughter of Keith Metcalf (our Parish Clerk and Milford Wildlife Recording Group Coordinator) and she formed ‘Allegro’ as a registered charity, following the passing of her mother. The quartet also includes Andie Fry, Jo Davies and Pam Travis, and they entertain whilst raising money for good causes. They were also joined on Saturday night by Jo Vezey`s daughter, Emily, not yet 13 until December, who is a member of the Total Voice children's choir, and gave a first class solo performance. Also supporting the “Allegro” Quartet, was Peter Hill singer, and Glyn Jones on keyboard, both from the band ’Bogart’.

Mike tells us that the people attending, also enjoyed a selection from The Marine cafe menu and also a most entertaining evening.

Our unofficial blog photographer, Mike Collison, grabbed some photos of the night, if you would like to see them please click here.