Well hello! Mr P, the boys and I arrived back from our holiday at 6am on a Friday after a 4 hour flight from Turkey. We had spent a wonderful week relaxing, eating and drinking G and Ts. Poor Tiggy was left locked up in the house (better than being shipped off to the cattery) with radio 4 for company. He was definitely depressed when we returned but has finally forgiven us for leaving him behind. We left after attending the busy Findon Sheep fair event on Saturday 11Th September. A newer more efficient coffee machine in the little van meant that we were able to serve everyone who patiently queued for a good coffee which was as always made with love and care by Mr P. People were loving the cakes too as we sold out. I managed to slip spectacularly down the portaloo stairs in front of loo queue (NOT my most glamorous moment went down like a sack of spuds as my Dad would say). Staggered off through the crowds feeling shaky but otherwise unharmed (so I thought) and carried on with bruised pride. The next day it turned out the not only my pride was bruised but also my Cox sis, OUCH. Especially great if you have to sit on it for hours on a flight etc. Three and a half weeks later and still sore, if anyone has any helpful advice it would be very welcome.

Schools have been back for a few weeks and we have said goodbye to our Bryony who comes in during the holidays form Uni to help us out. Her sister Meg has joined us on a Saturday job sharing with Blossom. Sara and Nikki have also joined us during the week as Kelly has left us to join the GB Bobsleigh team and will be representing GB so watch out for her on TV. Allie has left to start her nurse training, we wish them both lots of luck and will miss them.

Sharna is expecting a baby in January 2011 which we are all very excited about. Happy Birthday Leah who has turned 18.

Skelly is back in the window for Halloween (our second favorite time of the year) and I have started to baked Halloween cakes at the weekend. I have also started to bake the dark and sticky chocolate gingerbread for the shop as well as taking Christmas orders (keeps really well for unexpected guests) and as always will have the Parklife sparkle treatment. If you would like to book one of these for collection or free delivery (Worthing area) for week commencing 20th up to and including Christmas eve please call the shop on 01903 207777 to book your slot to avoid disappointment.

You may have noticed Mr P is sporting a new facial hair design much to the amusement of all our regulars. I must say I like it as it is rather like having my husband switched to Spanish mode! (for those of you who have watched Toy Story 3)

Tiggy and I have been wandering the house a little lost as the Parklife twin sons have now left home to attend Uni. I managed to cry for 5 hours ALL the way home from dropping off one to Birmingham. Apologies to those who may have seen me wailing in the car (Mr P also was a little watery). I am glad to report that I have pulled myself together, decluttered their room, put loads of stuff on freecycle, only having the odd wobble when I see Birmingham on the BBC weather map in the morning. The other son is in Portsmouth so has the bonus of coming home ever now and then to stock with frozen home made dinners (I still can't stop cooking for 4!!).

Tiggy has new completion with a local cat called Basil (funny that is MR P's nick name, of course making me Sybil) after years of being the top cat of the block Tiggy is learning the hard way that he has lost that crown. He came in with a cut on his head which swelled up distorting his face (Mr P thought it hilarious and called it a pus helmet, poor baby). He has now fully recovered.
All for now, slow cooker retrieved from the back of the cupboard and logs ordered. Happy Autumn
Mrs P (or Sybil)

School's out for summer

Day 16 in the Parklife household without a day off only another 12 days to go! Mr P and I are feeling a little weary as have work through the last two Sunday attending the brilliant Kariorche event in the Steyne(live orchestra playing with us howling along) and the American hot rod car show. Mr P purchased a new hot pink gazebo so we stood out. I was also given some lovely new bunting which was hand made for us, so we certainly looked very snazzy.

School holidays are here at last which means Sharna is off for the duration and we have Bryony back from uni to help us along with the rest of the team. However Sharna is still popping in to make the rocky road and have her well deserved coffee fix. We have a new addition, the Parklife Love bar another yummy treat from our kitchen. As summer is here I am making lots of Raspberry cheese cake brownies.

As well as baking for our brides and grooms we have been asked to bake some cupcakes for Kerry Katona and Okay magazine! Needless to say we are really pleased :)


As the weather has been so warm I have had the back door open whilst in the kitchen. So far have managed to rescue two baby seagulls who fall of the roof and can't fly.
I have perfected the technique 1. tip toe up as close as possible 2. throw a tea towel over the head 3. grab and put in a box with a lid 4. Call WADERS who always come out and collect them. I rescued 3 last year. They are on the endangered list (though doing well in Worthing) as their numbers have dropped. I have to repeat this to myself when the wake me up at 4.00am

Mr P and Salty the resident Parklife seagull have been continuing their on going alpha male battle in Bath Place, and has resulted in Mr P being pooped on(hilarious to us but NOT to Mr P). However Salty mysteriously vanishes on a Saturday, team Parklife think he goes else where for better pickings and comes back on a Monday. He is officially the fattest seagull in town.

Becky and Jackie have given the kiosk in the Park a make over which everyone has commented on. Becky has even crotchet little butterflies.

All for now Mrs P x

It is HOT! The cat is too hot, the car is too hot, the kitchen is too hot. The only two places that aren't are in the cafe (air con) or in the sea, which is where we spent most of the day on Sunday. Lots of friends and family joined us at our beach hut for a great day of BBQ and swimming. I am enjoying our twin boys company who are back from uni for the summer. The radio came out for the football and scores were updated to those swimming in the sea via hand signals. Mr P then impressed everyone with his unicycling(see pic) though there were some painful moments!

Mr P and I were released from the shop on Friday(thank you Sharna,Tanya, Helen, Allie, and Bryony) to go to the Cafe culture exhibition in London. We decided to take old classic car as it was a nice jolly. It was okay driving along in 27 degrees with the windows open wind in our hair( in Mr P's case wind on his head), however when we hit Chelsea the old car decided it was too hot and started to get hotter. Relieved to make it to London Olympia all in one piece we spent the day looking at all the coffee stands and watching the world barista championships. It good for us to know that we are supplying and making the best coffee we can for you all.

The shop has been so busy in the good weather and this weekend will be my busiest in two years with cakes! We are now making coke/cream soda floats which are proving really popular. For the Wimbledon fortnight we are serving fresh strawberries and cream.
All for now
Mrs P x

First an apology, it has been over a year since I created this blog and have managed not to post anything. This is partly due to a very busy time at Parklife and partly due to a slight reluctance on my behalf as I'm unsure if anyone will be interested in my ramblings. I have been baking a few new cakes lately including the Whoopie Pie. Apparently according to the general press this is the new big thing. After whipping up a batch and putting on the counter the feedback had been very positive. In true Parklife fashion I have found it impossible to bake any small delicate ones and all they've turned out to be whopping Whoopies. The other newbie is a Chocolate Jaffa cake which is a double layer cake, made with fresh orange and dark chocolate with a chocolate and orange frosting topped with  Jaffa cakes. I am in full wedding swing which is one of the best things about my job, I get to make lovely cakes for a couples most important day.

You may see Mr Parklife chasing our resident Bath Place Seagull (Salty, named by the Parklife girls) up and down the road. He is a bold boy who has been jumping on our tables to scoff left over panini and cakes, however keeps smashing teapots and plates in the process. Mr Parklife has a new method of sneaking out and chucking a cup of water at him (I have asked him not get the customers!). Salty is getting wise to this and spots him sneaking out and swiftly moves just out of range! All this to the great amusement of the Parklife team and customers, but is infuriating Mr P.

After two years we have finally got stickers! I have to admit that I am completely addicted and have gone sticker mad! If you would like some just pop in. Collecting the final monies from our sponsored walk and the total is looking over £800. YAY!

That's all for now. I promise it won't take me a year to post again. Mrs P x