Inspired Gardens: Lessons from My Brother David’s Space

Life in Icklesham: A Picturesque Village.

To start with, I have to share this snap of us at the famous Queen’s Head pub in Icklesham. In the photo, you’ll see the lineup from closest to furthest: Robert Cooke, David Cooke, and yours truly, Thomas Cooke. Although we couldn’t find our friend Frank in any of the photos, we know he’s around somewhere—hello Frank!

Specifically, the charming village of Icklesham in East Sussex is a place that truly defines “inspired gardens” and picturesque living. This is where my brother David, his wife Rossella, and their Husky, Dino, proudly reside among the historic buildings and friendly locals.

If all this talk of scenic paths and village life has made you thirsty, you really ought to check out the local haunt for yourself. Because no visit to David’s neck of the woods is complete without a stop at the Queen’s Head in Icklesham, I’ve grabbed the details for you.

Specifically, if you want to see when they are serving or plan your own walk through their inspired surroundings, click here to check out their upcoming website or get a useful telephone number. Ultimately, it’s the perfect spot to sit back, relax, and perhaps spot Dino the Husky on a squirrel-scouting mission!

Front of the cottage

Inspired Gardens: From the Sicilian Kitchen to the Husky Battlefield

🏛️ The “Bizzybee” Memory Forging:

Seeing Rossella there—who works tirelessly at the big supermarket keeping the “hu-mans” fed all year—finally getting a seat at the table made the laughter even better. We didn’t need the main course; we already had the “authority” of a perfect day. These are the “Relics” I keep.

The Turkey Stand-off of 202X

There is a specific kind of “Native Chaos” that only happens at Christmas. We’d spent the afternoon conquering the starters—the kind of “Luxury” spread that leaves no prisoner. By the time my older brother (the Chef of the Day) marched out with the turkey, the room went silent.

It was a “Sarky” standoff. No one wanted to admit the truth: we were full.

The “Invisible” Service: Rossella working at the big supermarket means she knows exactly where the “Luxury” ingredients are hidden. She’s the Architect of the pantry.

The 31% Sovereign Gamble: Heart Health vs. Husky Chaos

My brother David dropped some “Authority” in the group chat recently. He pointed out that while science says a dog lowers your risk of cardiovascular death by 31%, he had a massive disclaimer:

“Unless you’ve got a Husky… then it’s just a daily gamble on whether they’re giving you a heart attack or keeping you alive.”

In the Bizzybee Market, we like those odds.

Headline: The 9:42 Dogwalk or a Parisian Catwalk?

“Just when you think it can’t get any better, you meet Dino the Husky. Honestly, the lad looks like he just strolled off a high-end dog modeling shoot. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he had a full spa day booked immediately after our visit!

And don’t even get me started on Kiki, his previous Husky companion—bless her heart, she’s departed this world now, come to think of it this update leads to the sad news of DINO passing to. Back to Kiki, she was a total Sovereign. She was so stunning that if she were still around today, Dino would seriously have to step up his game or risk being completely outshined.

If these two ever officially launched a dog fashion line, I’d be first in line for the merch. Native style, Husky chaos.“

The Battlefield & Beverages

“Imagine this: You take two steps up from the patio and find yourself on a sweeping long lawn—the perfect spot to sit back and have a drink.

Their stunning garden is a testament to a serene, Luxury lifestyle. However, it’s a fragile peace. After a particularly enthusiastic round of fetch, that ‘serenity’ quickly resembles a battlefield. It’s the natural cycle of life: from a quiet sip of something cold to dodging the vortex of a Husky in full sprint. Truly a garden of two halves.

The First Seed of the Bizzybee Empire

David’s garden is a true reflection of his refined, Luxury tastes. It holds a very special place in my heart, primarily because it was the first project I ever tackled in my gardening business.

As my brother, David has always seen a level of potential in me that I sometimes struggle to believe in myself. His garden stands as a relic of that belief—mostly because I managed to navigate the entire job without any accidental ‘plant mishaps’ or horticultural murders! No Agatha Christie mysteries in these flowerbeds; this one is a ‘good one’ through and through.

Although I mentioned the Cane plant (Dracaena Massangeana) did I?

My brother reassures me that the plant is just a distant memory in his garden. It’s much more appealing as an indoor plant, and thankfully, it’s no longer there. This is why I referred to “plant murders”—it’s not that I killed them, but a small fall onto a sharp edge could cause some damage. I tried to clear it out for him once. In my opinion, it was a relief when he decided to get rid of it. However, I thought this would be an interesting topic to explore here but I am still writing the blog on cane it’ll be here soon.

Upon reflection, I wish he had chosen bonsai trees or bamboo instead of cane. Bonsai trees bring back memories of The Karate Kid, where they use small trees cared for with a pair of nail scissors. However, be cautious if you plan to place one on a table in the living room, as it may die due to the central heating. Bamboo, on the other hand, is great for supporting plants as sticks go.

The garden has a Mediterranean feel and is another favourite place to visit.

To enjoy coffee or lemonade. When my brother has a cigar in his mouth, he adopts a certain persona—imagine Winston Churchill, though he may have a few ideas of his own. The scent of cigar smoke is like Marmite: you either love it or hate it. My wife visited the cigar shop in the old town of Hastings, where my brother works, and despite the thick air, she left feeling relaxed and happy. It could of been the lack of air and tobacco either way I counted my blessings she enjoyed the experience to a point.

Bit of a disclaimer: We do not dwell on smoking , it is not good for your health and this site does not endorse smoking. But my brother does, everyone to their own.

My brother and his family have truly mastered the fine art of unwinding—whether it’s through leisurely gatherings, beautiful outdoor settings, he has a lovely patio area which offers shade in the summer a nice place to sit and chat some roses to view with patio doors open, even a great place to watch telly listen to bird song. Or feasting on exquisite meals that could make a food critic drool! Their knack for creating a calm and sophisticated atmosphere is impressive, especially considering they still argue over who gets the last piece of dessert. We must have another get-together with all the family. Might be fun!

Just a tiny thought nothing like an off-topic banana split in the audience.

Can you stew pears for a barbecue? I know you can wrap a banana in foil? Please leave your answers in the comments.

The wet weather has occasionally been downright cruel to the lawn.

Turning the garden into a mini swamp through winter and drawing more attention than my last attempt at baking. I say baking but I made a Banoffee pie, my wife Rosemary said although not exactly baking it was a grand gesture, great effort, adding without the danger of fire I think It tasted great! fridges are dangerous too ( pause for thought.) if you get locked in them. To complicated to explain as you would have to climb in?

Where were we? Drainage wasn’t it?

The drainage system needs some improvements something to consider if your landscaping and then there’s Dino, our mischievous husky, who treats the garden like his own personal water park—bless him! The silver lining is that grass is tough; even when it’s bubbling like a cauldron, it refuses to quit unless you apply an expert-level amount of effort—or maybe just let Dino take another dive! I have heard Round-Up sort of kills the lot. (don’t do it, no dandelions, yet also no grass. I once witnessed a lawn sprayed and words were awkwardly exchanged of a consoling nature, before suggesting a good lawn feed company.

Chairs blog right here: https://www.bizzybee-garden-market.co.uk/winter-2024/

To conclude: David’s garden is a true haven. I’m grateful to have played a part.

It is a place where memories are made, my mum’s ashes barried under a rose. I guess that is what it is all about, though a garden is greatest when it is in use and loved and enjoyed.

Fuel the Monster. Support the Market.

“A massive thank you for consistently falling into the Vortex and returning to read my posts. Your support is Immense, and it honestly means the world to me!

If you’re enjoying the Native Chaos, don’t keep it to yourself—share the wealth (and the madness) with others. And look, if you’re feeling particularly Sovereign and want to contribute to the cause, a coffee donation would be absolutely fantastic. It keeps the Metal Monster humming and the gardener from falling over!

I’m always hunting for new Relics and ideas, so if you’ve got a blog topic that’s a ‘gooden,’ don’t be shy—reach out and let’s build some Modern Mythology together. My email is: thomasuk91@aol.com

Best wishes,
Tom C.