Food, Days Out and Travel stories from Brighton, London and the Rest of the World

Saturday

Brighton Art Fair - Modern Bric a Brac's picks

Yes, the standard and diversity is just as amazing as last year's Brighton Art Fair and basically Modern Bric a Brac's picks would actually be all of them, but that would be a pretty long blog post.

So, to give you a flavour of the brilliant art at this year's Brighton Art Fair, here is this year's selection of some pretty exciting art on canvas, sculptures, ceramics and mixed media paintings.

The Art Fair only runs for this weekend, Friday 25 September - Sunday 27 September, and takes place in the Corn Exchange.

It's a great chance to meet the artists and find out the stories behind the pieces on display. I spoke to all the artists listed below and from some I found out what materials they used, who and what inspired them while others shared which pieces they liked best themselves.

If you get a chance to go I'd love to know which pieces stood out for you.

Eve Shepherd

Inspired to capture emotions and interpret them in the form of sculptures, within moments I was captivated by the stories Eve told me about her work.

Eve Shepherd at Brighton Art Fair 2015, photo by Modern Bric a Brac
Seated Bull by Eve Shepherd, porcelain on wood

Eve Shepherd at Brighton Art Fair 2015, photo by Modern Bric a Brac
Sculpture by Eve Shepherd

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Tuesday

Travel - Four Top Reasons to visit Toronto Island

With an abundance of trees and not a car in sight, the differences between Toronto and the Island strike you as soon as you disembark from one of the three docks in operation.

Covering about 570 acres, 300 homes live car-free across the main island as well as on some of the smaller islets, collectively known as Toronto Island. 

Under a clear Autumn sky the bustle and noise of downtown Toronto just slipped away and although a lack of traffic is not included on the list below, it's reason enough for taking the short ten-minute ferry ride.

However, delving a little deeper I soon discovered some rather unusual and unique reasons to visit the Island, all of which could turn your day into a really special experience.

Toronto from Ward's Island, photo by modernbricabrac

Explore the Islands on a two-seater (or four-seater) bicycle 


Not far from the Central Island ferry drop-off we spotted a pile of colourful vehicles parked up. 

A moment later one passed by with two merrily chatting females whirling along at a gentle looking pace. 

Although happy walking it was still fabulous to see how much fun it looked to cycle past on one of these.

A moment later and a four-seater passed by. Forty minutes later and I was seriously wishing we had hired one. 

Meanwhile, local children passed by on another bicycle hybrid, the quadricycle. 

On the lake sailboats peppered the horizon, and in front of us, moored yachts languidly bobbed on the water. It was a car-free wonderland.

Two-seater bicycles on Toronto Island, photo by modernbricabrac

Two-seater bicycle on Toronto Island, photo by modernbricabrac

Try a New Sport

Why not try a round of frisbee-golf? Boasting one of the first ever Disc (frisbee) Golf Courses, created in 1980, the sport now has 4,000 disc golf courses around the world.

Like Golf, there are 18 holes, except with this game the holes are positioned above the ground.

Disc Golf course, Toronto Island, photo by modernbricabrac


It's played using specifically made gold discs, smaller and heavier than normal frisbees, and starts from a tee pad.

To make the most of navigating your way round the course, there are online resources available such as maps and details about the course.

Go on the Tree Trail


Another great way of enjoying the Island is by taking the Toronto Tree Tour. The tour follows the road along a 5km route and includes 58 different trees to identify.

A downloadable map indicates where the trees are located and provides a list of names of the trees plus an illustration of each leaf. I love this idea. In my heart I think I will always be a tree hugger.

Click on Canadian Tree Tours to find out more.

Is this a Black Walnut tree? photo by modernbricabrac
Is this a Black Walnut tree? Totonto Island

Dine outdoors and breathe in tranquillity


Best of all was where we stopped for dinner. Local recommendations are always the best and as I was with my fabulous Toronto friend she took me to a favourite place of hers, the Island Cafe.

We reached it by passing through its kitchen garden and found outdoor seating made up of colourful benches and an assortment of chairs and tables to choose from, and from where we could enjoy the late afternoon sun.

Family run, they buy in from local and ethical sources, as well as using vegetables grown in their garden. The menu offered a selection of hearty and healthy options and we both chose a bowl of quinoa with marinated tofu, carrots, avocado, sesame seeds and greens.

Quinoa bowl at Island Cafe, Ward's Island, photo by modernbricabrac


On the horizon we could see a shiny high-rise Toronto, while around us was a grassy verge, trees and growing vegetables.

Our next order was some patatas bravas (fried potatoes in chilli oil, with monterey jack cheese and garlic mayonnaise) to share and we found this just as tasty as the last dish.

Patatas bravas at Island Cafe, Ward's Island, photo by modernbricabrac

Boarding the ferry, Toronto Island, photo by modernbricabrac

Time was ticking on and we had to head back, the lovely one and her blissful baby were ready for home and I had my next solo adventure waiting for me.

If you've tried any of these activities and think they sound appealing, let me know. I'd love to find out what you think.

Four top reasons to visit Toronto Island, photo by modernbricabrac

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Friday

The Best Burger Recipe, as eaten by the Agnew family

When the challenge was set to find the best burger recipe I only had to think of my father's favourite meal and my mother's recipe and I was right there, transported back to the best barbecue day of each year, my father's birthday. 


Best burger recipe, photo by modern bric a brac


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