July 2012

The Giant’s Causeway

Watching the children singing their hearts out at the astonishing Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland was particularly poignant for me during Friday night’s spectacular opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.

Seeing this magical natural phenomenon in all its glory reminded me, not just of many happy hours spent playing on the basalt columns as a child, but also of a feature I wrote a while ago for Coast about Caroline Robb’s stunning home on Northern Ireland’s wonderful Antrim Coast.

During our interview, Caroline happened to mention that she’d struggled to find beautiful accessories for her own house which is located between Portrush and Portstewart.

One thing led to another and, soon after our cosy chat, Caroline launched Causeway Coast Lifestyle – an online business selling contemporary home accessories and stylish gifts inspired both by the Antrim Coast and other parts of this beautiful country.

Bizarrely, while visiting family in my native Northern Ireland a few weeks ago, I bumped into Caroline at Portrush’s popular Ramore Restaurant. A quick catch-up revealed that Causeway Coast Lifestyle is thriving and the entrepreneur is thoroughly enjoying her change of career. You can check out her range by visiting www.causewaycoastlifestyle.com

One of Caroline’s hexagonal candles from the Causeway Coast Lifestyle range

To read the full Coast article about Caroline’s home, please click here.

Just back from an amazing couple of days in Dorset soaking up the heady atmosphere as Weymouth & Portland prepare to host the 2012 Olympics. The excitement in the air is tangible and there’s a real feel-good factor, with the added bonus of glistening blue seas, bright sunshine and spectacular coastline. I had a fab time with some friends and even managed to squeeze in a little work amongst the revelling. If you’re heading in that direction for the Dorset Olympic experience, I reckon you are in for a treat. 

Great to see Chris and Lorraine Clode’s elegant home starring in the current issue of Country Homes & Interiors (August 2012).

The Clodes are a super fun-loving couple and have worked hard to create this idyllic cottage situated in Emsworth, Hampshire, right on the edge of Chichester Harbour.

It was a pleasure to write about this unique cottage that’s been transformed with the help of West Sussex-based architectural designer Jane Mottershead.

Lavant-based interior designer Becca Mousley of J & B Interiors worked closely with Lorraine to create this delightful home where photographer Brent Darby and I were made to feel more than welcome.

For more information about Jane Mottershead click here 

To find out more about J & B Interiors click here

Whether you are two or 102, if you love nature or just fancy switching off and unwinding for a while, I’d thoroughly recommend visiting Lordington Lavender on the outskirts of Chichester. Lordington Lavender is running a series of open days from now until Sunday, July 8 between 10am and 4pm. It’s the ideal opportunity to explore this colourful haven for wildlife and our own little corner of Provence, here in West Sussex.

The £2.50 entrance fee is going to charity and children under the age of 16 are free. Refreshments are available and, if the lady who made the lavender cake happens to read this, thank you very much – it was delicious!

For more information about Lordington Lavender click here

I reckon ferryman Andy Larsen has to be one of the hardest-working blokes in Chichester Harbour. The genial Andy runs a busy ferry service stretching along the Itchenor reach to the Bosham channel from April to the end of October and he’s there come rain, hail or shine. Andy’s passengers range from commuters to walkers and cyclists who are all out exploring the delights of this truly magical area. I’m a huge fan of the ‘Itchy Bosom’ ferry and thoroughly enjoyed interviewing Andy for the Coast Character slot in the August issue of Coast magazine that’s out now. Big thanks to Andy for his time and to the lovely talented photographer Claire Lloyd Davies for her super shot on page 15 of the magazine.

To find out more about the ferry service ring Andy on 0797 037 8350 or click here for further information.

For more details about Claire Lloyd Davies click here.