November’s Meet, Make & Munch

Meet…

Some things never grow old…others do. But it certainly didn’t feel like it last weekend when I had a girly weekend away with friends I’ve known since playschool! That’s a lot of years. We may not speak often, and I’m the first to admit I’m absolutely rubbish at keeping in touch, but they’re the sort of friends with whom you simply pick up where you left off; the sort at whose house you could turn up crying in the middle of the night and be let in, given wine or hot chocolate and a bed to stay for as long as you want; the sort who you spent so much time with when you were young, know everything about you and you have a shared history.

Basically, the sort of friends who mean an awful lot.

Research has also shown that having friendship groups and spending time with those who you are not in a ‘relationship’ with, can have positive mental effects and make you happier! Friends “are a way to derive all the benefits of being in a relationship with someone without the enormity of it,” and that was definitely how it felt this weekend. It was certainly therapeutic, with no pressures…just good friends, mucking in together, and catching up. Just what the doctor ordered.

We (well, Claire) chose us the fabulous Pear Tree Cottage in the Cotswolds, booked through Character Cottages, and did most of the organising too. Thank goodness someone took the lead or we’d all still be checking our diaries! It was central to a beautiful village called Bourton on the Water. Now, you’d think, over 100 miles from home, we’d be out of reach of reality, but no, I managed to somehow bump into two other people I knew whilst there. I think it’s one of those places people come for a relaxed weekend away!

Our cottage was tucked just behind the main street and an easy walk to the pretty river, shops and pubs. With three bedrooms, two with two single beds and one double, a large dining room and separate living room and a long galley kitchen, it was perfect. We lit the fire every night and hunkered down, but in the summer it also has a beautiful courtyard garden. And when you’re sharing the cost between friends ended up at £110 per person based on 5 of us sharing.

Claire also organised for us to go clay pigeon shooting through Old Downs Pursuits on the wettest, coldest morning of the year so far! After dusting off our hangovers, and eventually finding the right gate and the right man, Sean, we had a good old chat about the Fosse Way whilst stamping our feet to keep warm and eventually had our first try at shooting at clays. Luckily, Sean has built a wooden shelter from which to fire so at least we were dry!

And it was brilliant fun…once we’d managed to put the earplugs in (Claire) and learnt how to stand with one foot just behind the other (Sita)! We had around 25 shots in bursts of 5 with each set coming from a different direction. The easiest came from afar straight towards us and I found the trickiest to be those that started near to us and disappeared straight away from us as it was so hard to judge the height and distance! I’d highly recommend giving it a go…once you get the hang of it, it’s a little bit addictive.

We had a good homemade lunch in The Mousetrap Inn, and cosied in there for a few hours, then meandered through the shops and, once again, retreated in front of the fire to play board games and chat. It was just great…and what we all needed I feel. We were even back home in time for a delicious afternoon Sunday Lunch at friends. A perfect way to round off a great weekend.

Make…

F had a friend round for the first time a couple of week ago. They get on really well and like similar things, so the play date was super easy. One thing requested, however, was ‘real’ cooking. Now, I’ll definitely be prepared for next time and they can help with the cooking, chopping etc. of their own dinner, but this time it was too late for that so I improvised.

They wanted to do some ‘science’ at the same time so out came ‘the big pan’ and a range of kitchen items: food colouring, sprinkles, oats, pasta, etc. They spent a good 20 minutes mixing, adding, stirring etc and the little girl even requested to take a pot home! Her mum was chuffed (!). In summer, this is a great outdoors activity. We use leaves, grass, seeds and berries and add a little eco-glitter and sparkle to make ‘fairy soup’.

Munch…

I was lucky enough to be given a pair of tickets to Taste of London winter edition this year and couldn’t wait to get booked and go. We’ve been previously and seen the event grow and grow, the first year being quite a niche event and gradually becoming busier and busier. However, we’ve yet to be disappointed. The food is stunning, but, almost above that, it marks the start of the festive season. Tobacco Dock is decked out gorgeously, there’s a piano bar area for sitting and chatting, cocktail and gin workshops, lots of independent retailers with some of the bigger ones too and Firepits dotted around the outside covered area serving charred meat and fish to perfection. Click on the Bon Appétit tab on the top menu to find out more about what we ate this year or look here!

So, there it is, November. It really does only seem like yesterday that I was wondering where January went and now we’re really nearly at Christmas! Eeeeek. Being a primary school teacher, it’s unlikely I’ll fit in an ‘early’ December post, so, if you dont see me til January, I’ll wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

See you the other side everyone!

Taste of London – Winter Edition

I was lucky enough to be given tickets for Taste of London again this year and the event couldn’t have come at a better time. I’d had a hell of a week with the toddler being up for 2 hrs every night and then throwing the most immense tantrums at least once an hour, so an evening off – thanks to mum and dad for babysitting – was the perfect antidote.

We arrived half an hour after opening and headed straight to the piano bar whilst it was still quiet: grabbed ourselves a comfy chair, ordered mulled wine to warm up and sat…and sat…and danced a little…chatted, decided on food and things to do…and after two mulled wines and theee g&ts, (and an hour and a half later) we managed to get ourselves out of the seats and go for a wander to see what was what! It was perfect.

First was a visit to the outdoor marshmallow pits to have a look, then we headed back inside to find some much-needed food. We went to Bao for a fried chicken bun with sechuan mayo, golden kimchi and hot sauce … it’s always excellent. Next was a Cornflake Chicken burger, served on a charcoal steamed bun (which was almost nicer than the burger!) and Guinness braised venison shoulder, flat bread, black garlic & mushroom ketchup with puffed rice. Good but not as good as the chicken!

All from Britten for Food. At Wild Rice we chose Miley’s Fried Chicken (hot and scrummy) and Angus Beef Green Curry with Jasmine Rice which was super super spicy.

And to top off the evening, a Korean slow cooked BBQ beef marinated in homemade bulgogi sauce (no idea, but tasted great) served with ssam salad (again, not a clue but was crunchy and delicious!) This was definitely the best dish from the festival, the edges of the beef were just so tasty where they’d had the flame from the fire.

This year, we also bought far more than usual! I always stop for a few jars of delicious curry sauce from Nonya Secrets, but we also, somehow, managed to buy a marshmallow ‘tree’ toaster , which F quite rightly pointed out when we showed her the next morning, is all very well for toasting them, but how do you go about all eating them from the same fork? No idea but I’m sure we’ll find out. We also found a delicious fudge stall…I called it clever fudge because it was just so clever. He uses floral, nutty and spicy flavours to create fudges where the taste changes as you eat it. For example, the lavender, lemon and treacle begins really florally, but by the end, the deep taste of treacle has come through….fig and white pepper is all sweetness and light to begin but leaves a gentle warming peppery taste at the end! As I said, #cleverfudge from Get Fudged…really clever and super delicious too. D also purchased a lovely thick hand cream for me for Christmas from Norse…it smells so good! Freebies included Actimel and a veggie chocolate and hazelnut ‘Mylk’ from Rebel Kitchen.

My highlight of the night, however, was the lady from BeeBee Wraps, from whom I had purchased wraps last year, who shouted ‘Berries’ at me as I approached for a chat. She literally made my night. If you know, you know! #lucyandyak

Although this venue is covered, it is essentially, open to the elements across the top level and down to the ground in some areas, so I’d definitely recommend wrapping up warm. We had such a lovely time this year, stalls seemed to be organised better in more sensible places, but it was a shame there was a lack of ‘open fire’ cooking on the top level as in previous years: the smoky aroma from these usually permeates the venue and gives an added winter feeling to the evening.

All in all, it was just what was needed…relaxed, fun and delicious food and drink! Now I’m looking forward to the Summer version!