Monday, September 16, 2013

SG Birthdays



DECEMBER
Lucky Singh 12th
Moira 14th
Paul Fairfax 18th
Ian 21st
Ashleigh 23rd

January
Kate Crumpton 1st

Alicia 13th
Sarah Windsor 15th
Mary 28th


 























 

 

 















Monday, June 17, 2013

Take your dog away - from Paul


If you want a super place to stay for a week or a long weekend then Bromfield Priory Gatehouse, nr Ludlow, Shropshire is perfect. The Gatehouse is dog friendly, has lots of secret trapdoors, a grave yard and sleeps 6. It's a Landmark Trust property so the deal is no TV, no WIFI and usually no mobile reception. I can normally just stand that for a few days before I start to chew my foot. I've stayed in a few of these Landmark properties over the years but this was the best to date. Easy to find as opposed to "turn left at the decaying cow's head in the middle of the lane" and not quite as "in the middle of nowhere" as they sometimes can be. There's a incredible Food Hall spitting distance from the house which sold lots of lovely overpriced produce including, raspberry infused gin. That evening we created a cocktail, the Ludlow Raspberry 69, whilst doing a thrilling jigsaw of the Queen Mum (2 parts champagne, 1 part gin, sugar syrup and freshly squeezed lemon). The game of Scrabble that followed was just genius.

Ludlow is walkable (2 miles) over some pretty fields and we were rewarded with Morris Dancers and lots of three legged dogs when we arrived. Again, food is EVERYWHERE with loads of top notch places to eat. It's a gorgeous town complete with ruined castle and market square.

DO try all the local cheese and bread, I want everyone to experience how hard it is to lose the weight.
DON'T stand still for too long if you have a dog. People will throw money at you.

Check the house out here  http://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/bromfield-priory-gatehouse-5111#tabs=0

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

No toadying here.. from CEL

 Toad in the Hole made with Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard flavoured batter, served with delicious French Onion Gravy.
Serves 2
100g/4oz plain flour
3 eggs
300ml/1/2pt milk
2 tsp Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp oil
4 Cumberland or other deli-style sausages
For the gravy:
2 tbsp oil
1 large onion, peeled and very thinly sliced
1 tbsp plain flour
1 heaped tsp tomato puree
50ml/2 fl oz beef stock
300ml/1/2 pt red wine
1 tsp Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard
Place flour in a bowl and add eggs. Using an electric beater, whisk to combine and gradually add milk to make a smooth batter. Stir in mustard and season. Whisk to incorporate. Leave to rest while you par-cook the sausages.
Heat oil in a pan and fry sausages all over just to colour. Reserve.
Put 2tbsp of oil in a square 20cm/8in baking tin. Place in the oven (Gas 6 200C 400F) until the oil is piping hot. Pour in batter which should immediately start sizzling and begin to rise up the sides of the tin. Place sausages into the batter and return to oven. Bake for around 30 minutes, or until batter is seriously risen, golden and crisp.

For the gravy, whilst the batter is cooking, heat oil in a pan and gently cook onions until softened. Stir in flour and cook a minute more. Add tomato puree. Pour in wine, stir in mustard and bring to bubbling. Simmer to reduced, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve separately.pa

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Make mine Murder... from Sally

A friend of mine is about to have her first book published in February.  I have been given a few sneak previews and have read a couple of snippets from it....  and it looks fab!  
Here is the artwork for the dust jacket and the blurb for the back. I'm not exactly sure of the publication date, but do look out for it if you fancy a good read!