Alexandra Park and the Pumphouse Cafe & Deli!

I wandered through Alexandra Park earlier today, somewhere I have written about quite a few times, eg blog. The Park was designed by Robert Marnock, who had already designed the Botanical Gardens in London's Regents Park, and was opened by the Princess of Wales at the time, Princess Alexandra in 1882, later Edward VII's Queen Alexandra. Something I did notice, that I hadn't noticed before, was plenty of small fish swimming in the southernmost pond in the Park, I'm not an expert, but I think they may be rudd... 🐟

To support the fact I hadn't walked through the Park for quite some time I also came upon a cafe and delicatessen that has been open for 10 months now, as Rod pointed out to me; open Tuesday to Sunday, 08.30 am to 5.00 pm. That is, the Pumphouse Cafe & Deli, Alexandra Park, St Helens Road TN34 2EL (website), shows how long since I've walked through the Park! If you want to know more about the history of this venture, go to their website. I was on a different venture, so didn't sample their wares this time, but, another time maybe...

Hastings Jack in the Green 2024

I'm still having trouble with my blog, so this shall be short and sweet, the image below provides details of where things are happening this weekend, expect to see lots of people dressed up and motorcycles galore, plus hear drums and bells and... Oh yes, and the website will provide adequate information, indeed, better than I could, enjoy the weekend!

British Cider Week 2024

My second British Cider Week 2024 (19-28 April) 'session' was at The Jolly Fisherman (facebook page), 3 East Beach Street, Hastings TN34 3AR (tel: 01424 428811). First session blog from Rye. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 4.00pm to 11.00pm; Saturday 2.00pm to 11.00pm; Sunday 2.00pm to 10.30pm; closed Mondays, although hours do vary sometimes for public holidays and for some events. I have written a blog about the history of this wee pub 6 years ago. They no longer serve food, other than bar snacks, nor do B&B anymore.

My first cider of the shift was from Kent, Turners Cider (website), and their 6.5% Dry Cider, 'made with 100% Kentish apples.' As you can see above, a very pale cider, with plenty of apple in the taste and nice and dry, I liked it! 👌

My second drink for Session 2 was actually a perry, [I'd already written about one of the ciders available here in Session 1 (blog)], and I didn't want to include any fizzy ciders, consequently, from Hecks Cider in Somerset (website), their 6.0% Perry, made with 100% perry pears grown in Somerset. A pale golden yellowish perry, with hints of berries and pear in the taste, a sour aroma, and a slightly tart finish, complex and very enjoyable indeed. 😁

My third drink of the session was from Newton Court in Herefordshire (website), their 6.6% Major, a single cider apple variety originating from further into the West Country. As you can tell from the photograph above, a very reddish cider, which comes from an apple variety that has a very red skin, unsurprisingly. Generally accepted as a 'bittersweet' fruit, this limited edition cider has a subtle apple aroma, a very fruity taste, and with a dry finish. I noted "very good!" 👍

My final cider of the session was from Luke's Cider in East London (website), their also 6.6% Queen Dab, made from a single apple variety Dabinett, a 50/50 blend of apples grown in Herefordshire and Somerset. A rusty reddish colour, sour apple aroma, a very dry and bitter cider, and pretty much like ciders I have drunk in the past when I lived in Devon (eg blog), authentic indeed!

Some very interesting and flavoursome ciders (and a perry) imbibed over the two sessions, probably the Newton Court Major shaded it as my favourite, cheers m'dears! 🍻

Voting Today.

I have been to the Polling Station and voted, for details of candidates, by ward, for the Hastings Borough Council election, go to the Council website. Fot information about the Police & Crime Commissioner @ website.