Say cheese!

Never have I seen so many drunk teenagers in one place as Lewes bonfire night. In the true spirit of someone who's tackling their thirties with a large dose of misery guts, I retreated back to the house in the centre I was staying at and drank gin and tonic in the safety of the four walls.


It was this decision that enabled me to get up and experience a bit of Lewes on a Saturday morning after a leisurely swim (I know, get me). Breakfast at Bill's was, as ever, wonderful but the main delight for me was the farmers market that is held on the first Saturday of every month.


Despite being rather full after my brekky, I'm not one to turn down the offer of a free taste of cheese (it's not calories if it's a sample, right?) especially when it's being offered as small squares of cheese on toast. "The best cheese on toast you'll ever eat" the woman holding the plate exclaimed. I inwardly thought that was quite a claim, clearly she's never had any of MY cheese on toast. But, cor blimey, was she right. Seriously. The. Best. Cheese. On. Toast.


Naturally, I'm going to delve further into this little haven of creamy goodness. Upon talking with Rob Bookham, it transpires that what makes this cheese on toast so amazingly good is the 'Sussex Charmer' cheese it's made with. Simply, it's mature cheddar blended with parmesan. Why on earth haven't I heard of this before? Beautifully creamy with that lovely vintage cheddar kick, yet a little crumbly in texture.


Trading for 18 years, Bookham's is a creamery residing in Arlington, a small village that lies between Polegate and Lewes and they source their milk from a farm in Rudgwick. Rob clearly had a lot of passion for his trade and is a real 'smile with the eyes' character.


I highly suggest you get yourself a block of this amazing cheese, it's available at Infinity Foods, Coriander, Terre a Terre, Fanny's of Hanover, Grasmere and the Tin Drums or order direct off the Bookhams website which I suggest you have a look at anyway.


Mmmmm.... cheese.