Beer and Pie
With Sam and Jem spending the weekend with us, another good reason to head out and see this most beautiful countryside.
The weekend started like many others.
“What do you want to do today Kathy?”
“I don’t know, what do you want to do?”
“I don’t know, what do you think?”
“Not sure, what ever you want”.
So out came the map and after a few random twirls of the finger it landed on Beaminster. The real benefit of living here is that every weekend is an adventure and every weekend you have the chance to wonder off and explore little villages, hidden churches and narrow country lanes.
Lying in the folding hills of West Dorset, Beaminster is a cute little market town with some lovely picturesque 17th century cottages. The village butcher was selling local lamb, rare pork breeds and fresh game and the greengrocer had a great range of fresh organic fruit and veg. Wanting to add to the local economy we forced ourselves to consume large quantities of Dorset Apple Cake, clotted cream, scones, and numerous other sweets to keep our sugar levels high for the rest of the week. Somehow, in the hour we were there, Sam also managed to replace her wardrobe from one of the clothes shops. I noticed the shop owner put up a sign the minute she left saying “gone on holidays” so I gather they got their income for the rest of the year.
From there we headed to Montacute House, one of the finest Elizabethan country houses in the United Kingdom. The three floored mansion was built in 1598. I read that during wet weather, the Phelips children would lead their ponies up the three flights of stairs to ride in the long gallery that spans the entire top floor of the house. Today, it is used by the National Portrait Gallery where there is a large collection of paintings of kings, queens and nobleman of the past.
What better way to finish off the day than a visit to the ‘Smugglers Inn’ for a classic meal of pork sausages and mash, and Steak Pie in Tanglefoot beer gravy, washed down with more Tanglefoot.
Sunday and we woke to the patter of unfamiliar rain. With the April rains finally decided to arrive late, it was agreed that there would be no adventure today.
The weekend started like many others.
“What do you want to do today Kathy?”
“I don’t know, what do you want to do?”
“I don’t know, what do you think?”
“Not sure, what ever you want”.
So out came the map and after a few random twirls of the finger it landed on Beaminster. The real benefit of living here is that every weekend is an adventure and every weekend you have the chance to wonder off and explore little villages, hidden churches and narrow country lanes.
Lying in the folding hills of West Dorset, Beaminster is a cute little market town with some lovely picturesque 17th century cottages. The village butcher was selling local lamb, rare pork breeds and fresh game and the greengrocer had a great range of fresh organic fruit and veg. Wanting to add to the local economy we forced ourselves to consume large quantities of Dorset Apple Cake, clotted cream, scones, and numerous other sweets to keep our sugar levels high for the rest of the week. Somehow, in the hour we were there, Sam also managed to replace her wardrobe from one of the clothes shops. I noticed the shop owner put up a sign the minute she left saying “gone on holidays” so I gather they got their income for the rest of the year.
From there we headed to Montacute House, one of the finest Elizabethan country houses in the United Kingdom. The three floored mansion was built in 1598. I read that during wet weather, the Phelips children would lead their ponies up the three flights of stairs to ride in the long gallery that spans the entire top floor of the house. Today, it is used by the National Portrait Gallery where there is a large collection of paintings of kings, queens and nobleman of the past.
What better way to finish off the day than a visit to the ‘Smugglers Inn’ for a classic meal of pork sausages and mash, and Steak Pie in Tanglefoot beer gravy, washed down with more Tanglefoot.
Sunday and we woke to the patter of unfamiliar rain. With the April rains finally decided to arrive late, it was agreed that there would be no adventure today.
O Well, there is always next weekend……
4 comments:
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY KATHY - Thank you James for the call, great to hear your voice. Sounds like a great time was had with your friends. We remember well the scones and clotted cream! Had to buy new clothes (like Sam) after just three weeks on this diet washed down with the great lagers! Swans lost again, now 12th on ladder. Loved mum
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TWO SPECIAL FOUR YEAR OLDS - BETHANY AND ISABELLE. HOPE YOU HAVE A HAPPY DAY AND GRANDPA AND GRANDMA WILL BE THINKING OF YOU. LOTS OF LOVE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Happy Birthday for yesterday twinies. I am sure you are both baing good girls for mum and dad.
lots of love from Aunty Chris, Drew, Jamie and Jess
xxxxxxxxx
Looking forward to a report on FA cup final. Make sure that you get out and watch it with the locals. Go Man U.
Post a Comment