Many of you will have started the journey of reading my posts through my former blog 'Two Mad Cows'. I co wrote the blog with my friend Carron, actually it was her brainchild, and between us we created quite a lot of material.
But as the old saying goes, never mix business with pleasure. Having been friends for thirty odd years and never having had a cross word, suddenly within our working relationship tensions started to arise. We abandoned two mad cows and sadly our friendship, I went it alone with Donna's pink kitchen and Carron pursued her own writing career.
My mother used to say: 'The longer you hold a grudge the more your arms are going to ache.' Sage advice. In the calm after the storm both Carron and I realised how deeply we cared for one another. We survived a terrorist attack together when we were young girls, we became orphans and mothers and supported each other throughout each of these experiences, we have always had weekly contact by telephone and regular visits to each others homes, you don't throw all that history away on a whim. Managing emotions is a skill in itself, one that takes decades to master, as we get older our emotions bounce around less and we value old friendships more.
And so on an auspiciously hot and sunny day I set off on the train to Shoreham by Sea to meet up with my little friend. It was a joyous occasion, we had plenty of catching up to do which we did over a delicious lunch in the Sussex produce company.
This fabulous award winning foodie emporium offers an array of local produce and hard to find delicatessen items. By using local food and drink producers and suppliers this food and farm shop makes a real contribution to the social and economic well being of the community. Situated in the historic small rural town of Steyning, the Sussex produce company has received high praise from many foodies.
The Sussex produce company certainly has lots of curb appeal, boxes stacked with brightly coloured fruits and vegetables which couldn't go unnoticed by even the most remiss of passers by.
Step inside and you are greeted by magnificent displays of homebaked pies, local cheeses and ales, milk from the local farm and delicious homemade cakes to name but a few.
Unlike the over packaged, mass produced fodder we see in huge supermarket chains, these foodstuffs are deliciously tempting and very good value for money if you want quality over quantity (something we should all be embracing.)
Carron and I sat down in the charming café at the back of the shop where we received service with a smile
We both opted for the crab sandwich, fresh local crab being too good a temptation to resist. The crab was delicately flavoured with a mustard mayonnaise and served with fresh salad leaves and vegetable crisps.
We were then faced with the difficult decision as to which cake to have.
Proprietors Nick and Nina Hempleman have created an Aladdin's cave for foodies, with a passion for good quality food and a desire to support the local community it's a win win situation. The café which is always bustling, hosts various cultural events as well as being a mini art gallery showcasing local artists on its walls
Without doubt one of the nicest eateries I've visited this year, simple honest food, a bohemian atmosphere amongst people who value good food and the social story that is delivered to their plate.
'The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer, restorer and resurrecter, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, death into life. Without proper care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life.'
- Wendell Berry
Love Donna xxxxxxxxx
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