The Hutte

$\'Hutte\' news$


	Hutte News... 8^th February.....10.00 (Sussex time). Well how are you this mornin’….or evenin’? Are you looking forward to a nice relaxing day or going to bed after a nice long hot one? Whichever, that’s one thing about planet earth…it’s different wherever you are. Has/will your day been/be a worrying one? If it is you should always try to get yourself a wee bit of ‘time out’ to relax, even when worries and stress seem overwhelming….especially when worries and stress seem overwhelming. Get yourself a cup o tea or hot chocolate, close your eyes and ‘float’. In my case I’d ‘float’ to Balcarres. Hey, go for it you can ‘float’ to Balcarres with me! I often wonder what you ‘get up to’ during your day! We have snow here…it wasn’t heavy enough to lie for any length of time up till about five minutes ago but it is starting to turn the grass white now…..though it will disappear fairly rapidly. It looks like I may be ‘working’ on Janice’s family tree for a good bit of the day. Wealden Council did a bit of work on the tree in the photograph a couple of years ago. 20.00 I’ve spent most of the day on the computer doing family ‘istory. When you get going it ‘takes over’…especially when you get back to the Victorian times. It’s all very interesting and I have managed to sort out quite a lot. Some of the ‘jobs’ people did then just don’t even exist now. The weather has been wet snow nearly all day and cold so it’s been a good day for research. 7^th February….12.00 the morning started really braw and sunny but has gradually clouded over with a cool breeze from the NE…I’ve found my ‘bearings’ here at long last. Could be a day for Family History on the computer. 18.00 It’s been a quiet day right enough doing a bit of family history first, then going to the club for a blether. Janice made a braw meal with roast leg of lamb and all the trimmings when Michael and I did the blethering….I’m bound to look healthier after Janice’s food…she’s a brilliant cook. We then watched Scotland fall at the first hurdle against France in the Six Nations Cup. I fell asleep during the second half….it was that kind of match. The bird on top of the hut in yesterday’s photograph is a ‘Black Crowned Crane’(balearica pavonia) from Africa. I’m away tae ‘play’ with a few more for today’s photographs! 23.00 We’ve been watching the Connecticut Power Station disaster on Sky News….it’s like a bomb had dropped on it. But then gas explosions are always horrific…..and this one was on a big scale. Just off to bed. I sleep like a ‘log’ doon here….though I usually spend ten minutes or so thinkin’ o’ what cannae be before I drop off. “Catch you all tomorrow”. Take care. 6^th February…..09.30 brighter sky but still mostly overcast. The wind is from a different ‘airt’…theNNE I think! I had a bit of a ‘sleep in’ this morning….must be those half pints! I’ll have another couple tonight at the ‘club’ when we go down tae ‘annoy’ Bob and Ian. Better go and get myself intae ‘active mode’….I think it’s the Bentley Wild Fowl place this morning. Six Nations Rugby on the tele in the afternoon. 16.30 we have had a braw day in Sussex with ‘wall tae wall’ blue just now. The Motor Museum and the Wild Fowl Park at Bentley were really interesting. Loads of exotic birds to be found and we managed to get a few pictures in spite of my forgetting the 1gb card. The birds are really tame as you can see from the photograph taken in Janice and Michael’s garden. 5^th February….09.00 overcast but not raining....I’d say it looks a bit more promising. Not promising enough to take the bus anywhere….I want a sunny day for that. I’ll send some e-cards again because the second site I found and sent didnae….send i.e.. Which means back tae Eastbourne ‘cos I know it does work. 21.00 Janice and I went to Crowborough this morning to do a spot of shopping….the weather was good for shopping and not much else anyway. Crowborough is in the middle of Ashdown Forest and must have been a centre for forestry/farming in earlier times. In the afternoon it brightened up and I walked to Five Ash Down, a village not far from Uckfield, for a bit of exercise….and to enjoy what was by this time a nice Spring like day. I walked back by the same road as it would have been too mucky to go by the woodland walks. We’re just back from a village called Horam where we met Pete and Maggie, friends of Janice and Michael. We had a nice chat and a beer (in my case two half pints) in the Horam Inn. It was braw in front of a big open fire….real ‘olde worlde’ look to the place. Janice’s Dad used to own the paper shop in Horam so Janice was ‘at home’. On the way back we stopped for ‘fish suppers’in Uckfield. The top photograph is of a ‘barn’ like antiques shop at Ringles Cross just on the edge of Uckfield. I don’t know if it’s a genuine old barn that’s been renovated or just a modern replica. It has authentic plastic guttering. The bottom picture is of the village sign on which you can see the East Sussex heraldic shield. The East Sussex arms blazoned as “Gules, six martlets three, two and one and on chief a Saxon crown or”. (A red shield with six heraldic swallows, three in the top row two in the second and one at the bottom. A Saxon Crown on in the chief which is the top third of the shield. Swallows and Crown are Gold.) 4^th February….10.00 it’s dull and wet this morning so I’ll not be adventuring further than Lee-Anns for coffee. I did think of taking the bus to Royal Tunbridge Wells but that’d be best done on a braw day. In the meantime I’ll sort out some of my photographs of Michael’s 21^st. Michael was quite philosophical about being 21. He said “I’m a man now and can do manly things…like putting up shelves”. Off to have look at the photographs! 14.00 nice afternoon bit a bit mucky underfoot on the reserves and too late to head for Tunbridge Wells.. I did get down for coffee and paper and even got as far as Bridge Cottage at the bottom o’ the High street as it had stopped raining by the time I’d finished my coffee. Managed to get some pictures and a blether with a lassie in Superdrug (I wanted some vitamin ‘C’ tablets). I think I’ll now try to catch up with my emails, and photograph sorting. 18.00 “Owlbert” managed tae find a few Sussex and SE England e-postcard sites from which he’s been sending e-cards(maistly tae his “girlfriends”). He’ll be sending proper postcards after this weekend. Bought stamps today but forgot tae buy the postcards…he must be ‘in love’…or just plain forgetful! More likely the latter! Uckfield floods 0ctober 2000..... Following three days of steady rain with heavy overnight rain on the 11/12^th the River Uck burst it’s banks early morning on the 12^th. With the surrounding ground being saturated run-off from the high parts of the town added to the water flowing through lower Uckfield with Bridge Cottage, sited on the right bank of the Uck, being the first to flood followed closely by the businesses on the new industrial estate immediately downstream from the Cottage. It was estimated at the time that £18,000,000 of damage was caused in Uckfield. Since then flood protection walls have been built to prevent flooding on this scale ever again. . The photograph is of Bridge Cottage today and you can just see behind it bits of the industrial estate that was devasted in 2000….because it was built on the floodplain of the River Uck. 3^rd February…..10.00 overcast and damp but not actually raining. It’s a big day for Michael, Janice’s son, because he is 21 today. So “Happy Birthday Michael” have a great day. I suspect Janice will make sure of that. It’s not a day for wandering around the Nature Reserves so I’ll potter down the town to see what I can find that’s new. 14.30 it’s turned real ‘dreich’….not heavy rain but wet…in fact I’d say we’re having a nice old dose of “Scotch mist” if we weren’t so far south of the border. I’m glad I went “doon the toon” earlier! I’m feelin’ a bit, well sort of “cannae get in gear” today ….hopefully I’ll ‘fire up’ later. 18.00 Janice has organised a meal out to celebrate Michael’s 21^st so I’d better go and get ready. The top photo was taken this afternoon when Michael started to open his presents. I’ll put another one up later. 23.00 had a great time at Michael’s birthday party in a place called the “Old Ship” near Ringmer. We all had a good laugh and Michael will remember his 21^stthat’s for sure. the bottom photo is Michael with the cricket bat signed by the English County Cricket captains. 2^nd February…..09.30 overcast and wet….the rain started at 08.17, I was lookin’oot o’ the windae at the exact time. It’s not heavy so I’ll manage down for my coffee. 16.00 Janice was going shopping in Eastbourne so I went for the run…. and the coffee! I didn’t contribute much tae the shoppin’ but Janice managed fine without me….though I did buy some ‘bits and pieces’. (magazines etc.) It was right squally in places on the road home, and you felt the car getting blown around a bit. I’ll probably need tae rest my weary limbs now. The Eastbourne Sainsbury’s is huge and sells ‘millions’ of stuff, including clothing. In saying that I notice that none of the Supermarkets I’ve been in down here sells proper oatmeal…such as The Oatmeal of Alford. "Batemans" (Rudyard Kiplings House, Garden and Farm) does mill proper oatmeal and you can buy it but only at Batemans. They don’t mill big quantities! You may say to yoursel’why did “Owlbert” take a picture of a Superdrug …? Well, that Superdrug is not just any old Superdrug, and it’s not the historically significant window that sets it apart from all the other Superdrug shops in the country! Oh no! This store is the only Superdrug, on the planet, to have “JB” working in it! I wonder what the ‘historical’ window is about? There’s only one person tae ask! I’ll let you know as soon as I find out. 22.30 We’ve been researching Janice’s Family on Find My Past and should get into it better after we get her Mum’s Birth Certificate. It’s an interesting ‘pastime’ family history. It certainly passes the time! Off to have my cup o’ hot chocolate before bed. 1^st February....09.00 another nice frosty morning so I’m going down to the Reserve….there are still bits I’ve never even been on yet. I’ve set the camera for ‘super macro’, and there’s plenty light so I should get some close ups. The cars are creeping down the hill outside so the roads must be slippy, likewise the pavements! I'll grab an apple and go! 16.00 “Owlbert” has been a busy ‘boy’ (use imagination) today. Showered, had breakfast(after getting dressed) and was down at Lee-Ann’s for coffee by 09.30. After the coffee break I took off for “Lake Wood” the Woodland Trust reserve, crossed the road onto the “West Park” reserve then walked across town and then meandered through the “Hempstead” reserve. “West Park” and “Hempstead” are local reserves run by Wealden Council! In all it took me about three and a half hours, and covered probably 5 miles. It was a braw day for a walk….and I enjoyed it though my knee is a bit ‘stiff’ now. I need anither one of those cortisone injections I’m thinkin’. The Lakewood is loaded with squirrels….grey ones unfortunately. Wherever you looked they were there, claiming territory as were the birds. Spring is just ‘round the corner’ as far as the local wildlife is concerned. I heard, then saw, a Green Woodpecker....it’s a fair sized bird…and not exactly musical. Jems sent me some pictures of Maggie’s Memorial seat which has been set in position up at Chapel Green. This is where I’ll be having a cup o’ coffee and scanning the paper on a warm summer morning! I’ll have to give it a clean when I get home. The oak trees are real crackers here in Sussex…and probably all over the south of England. I don’t know if the Scottish oaks are a different kind but they certainly are a different shape but it could just be the climate. The ones here spread out more, with branches bending and twisting all over the place……most impressive trees of that there’s no doubt. Forecasting rain tomorrow so I’ll have a ‘rest’ day and plan the railway layout for Michael’s attic. 31^st January…..10.00 nice morning after a frosty start though it is beginning to cloud over from the north. We’ve been watching the tennis…..and right now Andy Murray has a hill to climb. We’re going to East Hoathly , a neighbouring village, today to visit Lee-Ann and Martin in their new flat…..I'm looking forward to that. I think I’ll go for a wee walk before whatever’s in the clouds starts to fall! Michael took the picture of the squirrel yesterday....it just sat there posing. I think we were supposed to 'not see it'. 18.30 been busy most of the day though I fell fast asleep after we got home from Lee-Ann and Martin’s. They have got onto the ‘property ladder’ with a bonnie flat in a quiet village. I went for a short walk to get a few pictures of the local area including the wooden village hall and the local kirk. Michael, Janice’s son, who is a student in Plymouth, arrived home when I was fast asleep so I’m away down to be a bit more companionable! Catch you later. 22.30 just off to bed after an exciting evening. Em and Rory came in to say “cheerio” on their way home to Yeovil. Rory let us see the ‘spud gun’ he is developing. Unlike the ‘spud guns of the 1960’s this thing fires whole tatties….a long way! After they left Michael and I went doon tae the club to see Bob and Ian….and have a couple of half pints. Michael took the photograph of the dogs, Toby and Bonnie, keepin an 'eye' on me havin' a cup o' tea and a piece of cake! 30^th January.... 10.00 what a braw morning…”wall to wall” sunshine after a light overnight frost so we have a nice ‘crisp’ mornin’…..a grand day for getting rid of stress etc. You’d love it here this morning. We have all recovered from the exertions of last night. No doubt about it that was a great night. I’ve been looking at my photographs of the event and they are full of happy people. Diane (Hutt) really enjoyed herself she danced nearly every dance. But even the folks that couldn’t dance enjoyed listening to the band. They were excellent by the way! Yes I’d say everyone enjoyed it. The good news for me being that I have found a new partner for the Scottish Waltz! I wonder if Em can Quickstep? JB could I'm sure. He could even dae it wi' his een shut just to make it harder! 18.00 it’s been a gorgeous sunny day…but cool. It wasn’t a day for going onto the nature reserve ‘cos the frost was coming ‘out of the ground’ and making everywhere muddy…..so we went to the ‘club’ and had a blether instead. And I had two half pints. We have just finished devouring an gi-normous plate of food which Janice made(aided by Michael)….it was what you would call a magnificent meal and I scoffed the lot! I’ll be putting on weight next! The ‘Troops’ are coming over from Hailsham in a wee while so I’d better go and get ready. Bottom photograph is of JB and Em at the end of the Burn's Supper. 29^th January....10.00 the rain we had overnight is moving south being replaced by sunshine. It isn’t a day for going onto the Nature Reserve though ‘cos it’ll be muddy. I’m watching the tennis while having a cup of tea. We are going to Bexhill later which is on the south coast….I don’t think it’s fishing place though….and I like to get pictures of fishing boats. You would like Sussex 'cos it's got everything...including country lanes with hedges. I have finally managed to get into my email Account so I shall get round to sending replies ‘as soon as’….probably be tomorrow……. after the Burn’s Supper tonight! 17.00 we had a nice run down to Bexhill, Michael got the ‘bits and pieces’ he wanted, we had a ‘bite tae eat’ and I got some pictures. Bexhill is bigger than I expected, a typical South coast town with a braw seafront including promenade….which was empty today because it was cold. On the way home we ran into a heavy shower of sleet/snow but it didn’t come to much. There are still a few showers running along the South Downs (which I can see from my window) but Uckfield is dry. I’m off to get ready for the Burns Supper so I’ll “catch you later”. 30.01.30…well this has been a great night. The Burn’s Supper was absolutely brilliant and Maggie would have been extremely proud of Michaels’ rendering of Tam o’ Shanter….no doubt about it that was the highlight of the evening though the whole evening went brilliantly. Everyone seemed to want to try the dances assisted by the precenter. Yes it was a great night. My special surprise of the evening was simple. When Maggie died I never thought I’d do a Scottish Waltz again the way that we did. The band played a Scottish Waltz and Em and I set off…and I was waltzing again for the first time in nearly two years….Maggie couldn’t dance latterly because the meningeoma caused her to overbalance. But, guess who taught Em (Em is Emily my granddaughter) to waltz…you’ve got it ….Maggie. Yes I have had a most enjoyable evening….as did everyone by the look of them. JB was giving the dancing ‘laldie’ for most of the evening….as you can see from the photograph. He can even dance when he’s sleepin’…."Sleep Dancin" you could call it, as in the bottom photograph. The middle photo is ‘Tam’in full flight! The top one the promenade in Bexhill. 28^th January…..09.30 mostly overcast but there are a fair amount of wee ‘blue bits’ which may expand intae big ‘blue bits’ as the day progresses. O f course they may not…expand i.e. It’s not frosty. I’m heading out on a trip down the High Street taking pictures of buildings and anything interesting eventually ending at Lee- Anns for coffee. 17.30 we’ve had a braw Spring like day and I wandered down to a local Nature Reserve after my coffee and spent a couple of hours just enjoying the day…and taking a few photographs. The birds were in full territorial song but that may change by the end of the week if the forecast of possibly more snow turns out to be right. There was one loud woodpecker somewhere near but I never saw it…and neither did the lady I met when down there. They are elusive birds and tend to nip round to the other side o’ a tree if they see you coming. Yesterday I watched a bit of the ‘Iraq Inquiry’and I got to thinkin’ “Why waste money on this? At the end of the day nothing is going to be done and the astronomical cost will just allow the barristers etc to buy a bigger holiday home! Why not build a new Hospital somewhere….something that’s really useful (and needed) rather than line the pockets of a few already well heeled lawyers! All the ‘talk and hot air’ will not bring back one of the unfortunate servicemen/civilians killed in that mess…… or ‘undo’ it”. Moan over but I enjoyed it! 23.00 been down at ‘the Club’ where I consumed two half pints and had a guid ‘blether’ wi’ Bob and Ian. I dinnae ken how, but Bob ended up drinkin’ some kind o’ pink Bailey’s. We went down to see how everything was for tomorrow’s Burn’s Nicht! AOK. We have light rain here, but Jackie told me it was snowing in Auchnagatt……500 miles north of Sussex luckily! Maggie’s Memorial seat has been set in place......(Jems told me). I thought it might happen the day after I left for Sussex. I’ll be OK for someplace to sit and have a coffee and a read o’ my paper on a sunny mornin’....... when the better weather comes in! The top photograph was taken in the Nature Reserve. The tree is growing ‘out of’ and clamped onto a big outcrop of sandstone….as most of them are along the sandstone escarpment. I suspect that this part of the Reserve was once a continuation of the Rocks Estate (now Woodland Trust Reserve) immediately on the other side of the road with trees and sand stone in a similar mix. To me it looks ‘contrived’….as done by the Victorian garden designer capability Brown. The bottom one is of the ‘Club’where I consume my half pints and where the Burns Supper is tomorrow night. The sign I have altered so Bob can tell Jean (his wife) that he is going weight training! It should actually read “The Cinque Ports Club!”

Site Map