Number One B&B

30/01/2025

Tonight's the night:
We're so proud of you Jonny !
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18hVFLeNU7/

28/01/2025

Where are they now ?
The lovely Bonnie can be found Hut 55, making coffee and chatting with customers.
She occasionally thinks about doing something else but loves working in hospitality.
Go say hello when you can.
Jonny set up his own tuition company, Achiever Tutoring, having spied a gap in the market after Covid.
Although based in Liverpool, he is a regular visitor to Deal.
Of course, we'll be cheering him on, when The Apprentice starts on BBC1 tomorrow.

22/01/2025

Our Biologists, Emmi and Lily, where are they now?
Emmi is studying Bioligy at Liverpool University, following in the footsteps of Lily, who is studying Biology at Warwick. Lily is planning to go to do a Masters, with a view to working in immunology or something similar.
Good luck to them both and we'll catch up in the holidays.

20/01/2025

We are really excited to share some news of Jonny, who regular guests will remember.
He's going to be on the television,on the next series of The Apprentice.
Who'd have thought it?
https://www.facebook.com/share/15yA7WfFQ8/

12/01/2025

As we continue the transition from business to retirement, we didn't want to lose track of the fine folk that helped us along the way.
Where are they now?
Laura spent 9 months travelling 2023/4 so, in order to save some money to go off again she is working both at the The Just Reproach - Deal's Micropub (as seen in this great picture taken on Christmas Day) and at The Stag on the Strand.
She also helps us keep our temporary home clean and tidy.
George is studying for his A levels at Manwoods and playing rugby for Deal and Betteshanger, both of which will be useful in his likely career - in the Royal Navy

07/01/2025

Seasonal bubble:
Peel and halve some potatoes. Boil for 10 minutes.
Peel and chop one large parsnip and add to the pan.
Meanwhile prepare sprouts and add to the pan.
After 5 minutes, drain the veg and mash together.
Add some chopped chestnuts, the packet ones are great.
Leave to cool.
When required, heat some oil in a large frying pan and fry up the mix until browned.

02/01/2025

Our first Christmas in our 'new' home was lovely.
We have spent a lot of time moving things from one place to another and then somewhere else.
We're almost sorted now and have managed to dispose of business stuff, so thanks to the Dining Club, Pines at St Margaret's and the Sicilian who made bulk purchases. Thanks to all the locals who bought bits and pieces, there were some random purchases there !
We also made donations in one way or another to local charities, Red Duck, Martha Trust and St Peters at Sandwich who help victims of domestic violence set up home.
National charities, Parkinson's UK and the Red Cross also benefitted.
We are in the process of applying for change of use to residential with a view to putting the house on the market in the Spring.

26/12/2024

Boxing Day apple pancakes (or any other day):
Put approx 4oz flour in a bowl, add teaspoon baking powder and a pinch of salt.
In a separate bowl or jug - a tablespoon of white sugar, an egg and a dollop of yoghurt (we use Greek style).
Gradually stir this into the flour to form a dough.
Add the apple which should loosen the dough.
Add a splash of milk if too thick.
Heat butter in a large frying pan then add a big spoonful of the batter.
Press down to ensure it all cooks.
Turn over and press down again.
It's down when brown, serve with bacon and maple syrup or creme fraiche.
You can use other fruit - we use defrosted frozen strawberries, chopped. Anything that has a bit of liquid to it.

21/12/2024

We always tried to stay seasonal, so here is cranberry and clementine compote.
Empty a 250g bag if cranberries into a pan, add a little water but not enough to cover.
Zest four clementine (or whatever you have) and add to the pan. Add the juice of two also.
Peel the remaining two, remove as much with as you can and any pips.
Add to the pan with a tablespoon and a half of white sugar.
Heat until the cranberries start popping, then simmer gently, bashing the cranberries to open them up.
It's done when there's no liquid and it's squishy.
Have for breakfast with yoghurt and granola or use as cranberry sauce.

14/12/2024

Our usual way of making fruit compote was to chuck any leftover strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, redcurrants or blackberries into a saucepan.
Barely cover with water, add a tablespoon of white sugar and a glug of creme de cassis or other fruit liqueur.
Stir thoroughly, bring to a boil, then turn right down.
Continue heating if necessary, until you have the right consistency.
Alternatively, grab a bag of frozen mixed berries and do the same !
Hope this helps, Jonny.

13/12/2024

We've been asked for some of our breakfast recipes.
Poached pears:
Half fill a large saucepan with water.
Add hesped tablespoon of white sugar, a cinnamon stick and half a vanilla pod.
Peel 3 or 4 comice pears (you can use Conference pears but then you'll need six or seven.
Slice lengthways about a centimetre thick, removing the core as you go.
Add to the pan and heat until boiling.
As soon as it boils, turn down to a simmer.
It's ready when soft but not too soft.
Ladle into a bowl, covering with liquid but remove the spices and leave to cool.
Keeps for up to five days.

09/12/2024

Lovely to see our toiletries supplier, Romney Marsh Wools on tv last night.
It was always great to collect stock, pop in the shop and say hello to the sheep and we will continue to do so.

Matt Baker and Margherita Taylor are visiting Romney Marsh in Kent, known for its sweeping skies, marshland and shingle beaches, and at this time of year, home to tens of thousands of wintering birds.