A Moomin Great Celebration of Tove Jansson's 100th Anniversary

This year is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tove Jansson, the author and illustrator of the eccentric, magical and beloved Moomintroll books. Both in her native Finland and around the world, there are events, exhibitions and reprints and new editions of her beloved books.

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Unisex or Unique – Buying for Baby (and Child) in Lewes, East Sussex

Our little town is well known for its independent spirit – and also for its independent shops. I personally make a real effort to buy from the High Street, or from Lewes folk, when it comes to presents. Of course it’s a supportive and green way to buy, but it’s also because the stuff available […]

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The Moving On Parade Comes to Town Tomorrow!

Well, I am feeling quite dumb. It is VERY late in the day for this post, which should have reminded you probably a few days ago that Patina’s Moving On Parade takes place tomorrow. But I’m doing it now anyhow…

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SERIES: Let's All Look at Some Blogs // Fashion, Interiors, Design

I guess you’ve noticed by now that I am blogging about some things beyond ‘things to do with kids in and near Lewes’. This is because I have to maintain my interest in blogging to keep blogging, but also because I have some interests outside my children and my town. Most of the posts beyond my […]

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Open-Air Swimming, Playing, and Eating at Pells Pool, Lewes

So the time has finally come. We are REGULARS at The Pells Pool, Britain’s oldest-documented outdoor (and unheated) swimming pool. My five-year-old has literally not dipped a toe into its (admittedly-cool) waters since he was 18 months old, when I basically – cruelly – dunked him in on a day when it was kind of […]

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Friday I'm in Love – With the Lewes Food Market

Today I feel like I’m on holiday. We’ve had a solid week of sun and every day apart from this one I’ve been cooped up indoors working. This morning the baby (OK toddler) and I were supposed to do a totally dull chore that we were suddenly relieved of. So we did what we rarely do […]

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Rolling Along at Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex

I had to share a good little half-dayer cycling down to Cuckmere Haven, which we did a few weeks back. It’s nothing new to most (probably all) of you, but it’s the first time we got right down to the beach, so humour me.

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See the Child. Sign the Petition. Change the System

Before I launch into what this post is about, please view the one-minute video below. It has far more impact than anything I could write. Then please click on any of the images, or the links embedded in the post and take 20 seconds to sign the ‘See the Child. Change the System’ petition. It’s […]

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Three annual markers courtesy of The Grange, Lewes

Yes, yes, I’m back on the subject of Southover Grange Gardens. I promise that I will not post endless pictures of planted beds all summer long, tempted as I am to. But there are three markers in my year when it comes to the Grange: 1) When the tea hatch opens (scrap that, this is one […]

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