Deal Fish Direct, Saturday's local shop

This feature will run occasionally and will focus on a local shop in my corner of East Kent. It's likely that this will be in Deal,  but in all cases, it will be an independent store which is keeping the high street alive, by offering great products, great customer service at great prices.

First up is Deal Fish Direct. Deal is lucky enough to have two fishmongers which offer a huge array of salty, seaside-fresh daily catches. My favourite, is run by two brothers, whose boat brings them the best that the sea can offer on any given day. They also run the seafood stall, to be found on the seafront near to the Royal Hotel. It has been a bit of a struggle of late, with the high winds and rough seas meaning that the boat hasn't been able to take to the sea. Even when out, shellfish such as lobsters, have stayed hidden and well away from the lobster pots, as the water hasn't been warm enough to spur them onto feed.

But, the brothers will do their best to satisfy any order and can take orders in advance. In asking for a lobster for a special surf and turf supper, I was presented the following day with two succulent and sweet lobsters, costing £7 each.

And, the size of the scallops which have been delivered via the Folkestone fishing boats, have to be seen to be believed. At £1.20 each these were so silky and rich, you didn't need more than one or two. It's a pleasure to visit this great fishmonger, the fish is so fresh, and it is always priced more competitively than the tightly packaged, cellophane wrapped offering that the supermarkets have.

In addition to the fish, there is often other delicacies to be found on the counter, including black and white truffles. And, nestling at the back of the counter, I found a customised tide timetable which  helpfully includes the local variations in the tide times.

In my opinion, and in the many people who are often seen queuing outside, this is a real gem of a shop.

Poppies by the sea

These sumptuous silky blooms have struggled somewhat against ferocious winds and torrential rain. But when there is a break in this unseemly and unseasonal June weather, these gorgeous flowers unfurl and relax, luxuriating in the warmth of the sun.

My favourite is Patty's Plum with its grey/mauve blooms, and then it has to be the reddy-black poppy whose name I forget, coming closely third is the reddy-orange Papaver Orientale and following up at the rear is the mislabelled candyfloss pink poppy which I'm slowly getting used too.

Despite these flowers doing well in my seaside garden, it's when you see their wild cousin that you really admire these tough little blooms. Wheat-laden fields are fringed with red poppies at this time of year, and it is worth snatching a walk when the weather breaks to enjoy this fleeting sight.