On Sunday evening Witley Court & Church featured on the BBC's Countryfile programme.
A lot.
Matt Baker had been filming there 9 days earlier.
(I know this because I had provided his, and the rest of the team's, lunch)
The Court & grounds & church all looked stunning despite the bloomin' awful weather we've been having.
There was even sunshine.
It wasn't photoshopped.
Well.
On Monday I took a call from a man in Cardiff who wants to bring a group of gardeners to see us. Then today an email from a lady who was already considering a coach trip but was spurred on by the programme to sort it out.
Plus a call from a gentleman who, despite not living too far away, had never heard of the place. He wants to give his wife a visit to see us as a Valentine. He must love her very much.
Thank you Countryfile.
You may prove even better than Popmaster.
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Shaking things up
A new season has to bring something different.
Last winter we extended the kitchen, bought a second panini machine, expanded our range of fillings for panini and sandwiches. We (re)vamped the conservatory with painted chairs and new table coverings. We put teepees in the garden for the children, introduced a few new cakes and tried out picnic boxes.
This season will see us turn our hand to milk shakes. We're periodically asked if we do them (mostly during the school holidays) so it's surely time to give it a try.
I haven't decided how to do it yet but I reckon we'll start small & obvious (vanilla, choc, strawb) and see how they go.
There'll have to be a few home trials of course.
Last winter we extended the kitchen, bought a second panini machine, expanded our range of fillings for panini and sandwiches. We (re)vamped the conservatory with painted chairs and new table coverings. We put teepees in the garden for the children, introduced a few new cakes and tried out picnic boxes.
This season will see us turn our hand to milk shakes. We're periodically asked if we do them (mostly during the school holidays) so it's surely time to give it a try.
I haven't decided how to do it yet but I reckon we'll start small & obvious (vanilla, choc, strawb) and see how they go.
There'll have to be a few home trials of course.
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Sign of the Times
It's 2014. My fifth season approaches.
On my list (yet again) is signage. There's not enough of it anywhere. I need to reassure people who are trundling up a farm track they've never used before that they are going the right way, and that delights await at the end of their journey.
I need to do this without upsetting people who live along said farm track.
So, no neon.
What I'm thinking of is some small but noticeable arrows bearing the words: TEA ROOMS which I can hang from branches and fencing along the route.
I have a history of thinking about it and not doing anything about it.
This post is a statement of intent.
However.
I am currently reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and am finding it difficult to put down...
On my list (yet again) is signage. There's not enough of it anywhere. I need to reassure people who are trundling up a farm track they've never used before that they are going the right way, and that delights await at the end of their journey.
I need to do this without upsetting people who live along said farm track.
So, no neon.
What I'm thinking of is some small but noticeable arrows bearing the words: TEA ROOMS which I can hang from branches and fencing along the route.
I have a history of thinking about it and not doing anything about it.
This post is a statement of intent.
However.
I am currently reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and am finding it difficult to put down...
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Fat chance
Lime macarons.
Chocolate macarons.
Apparently they taste better the longer you leave them.
Cowardy
I would not describe myself as adventurous in the kitchen.
Unless you count putting chilli in almost everything.
During the closed season I have set myself the challenge of trying to make things which scare me a little.
Top of my list was custard tarts.
I don't even like custard tarts but there are two people in this family who love them. They looked pretty tricky on Bake Off and so they proved this morning. Really tricky.
This is the recipe I, ahem, attempted: http://www.bbc.co.uk
Unless you count putting chilli in almost everything.
During the closed season I have set myself the challenge of trying to make things which scare me a little.
Top of my list was custard tarts.
I don't even like custard tarts but there are two people in this family who love them. They looked pretty tricky on Bake Off and so they proved this morning. Really tricky.
This is the recipe I, ahem, attempted: http://www.bbc.co.uk
Mine look a bit battered to be honest.
Still the boys will love them.
Making them left me with lots of egg white so I am currently making "macarons" a trend I have shunned until now.
What I like about the home made ones is that they actually taste of something i.e. almonds and that if I can get them right they allow a pretty free hand when it comes to flavour.
I'll try not to add chilli though.
Monday, 11 November 2013
Judi, Steve and Me
Today, a no-cake day, I went to the cinema. On my own.
I saw Philomena.
I didn't take enough tissues.
I saw Philomena.
I didn't take enough tissues.
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