THE SECOND WEEK

It is hard to believe that we have been here two weeks already. We have managed to do some serious gardening this week - actually in credit for our 20 hours, but no doubt is better to be that way as opposed to having a deficit. Duties included mowing, weeding, edging, weed spraying and feeding some of the expansive lawns, planting veges and starting seedlings in the greenhouse.
I am really enjoying the greenhouse. My beetroot seeds sprouted in 4 days - wow how fantastic is that.

Have really loved finding new things to see and visit. Discovered a fabulous Italian wholesaler with wonderful and cheap produce. The owner is a true passionate Italian and gave us tastings of his special Balsamic Vinegar. He claims it will cure any possibility of women being temperamental!! John says I proved him wrong.

Spent last Friday with Brother Bill and his wife Ali. They live in Chelmsford in Essex and we decided to meet roughly half way. This was to be at Hatfield House - famous for being where Queen Eliz I spend alot of her childhood and where she held her first court. It was owned and build by Robert Cecil - a powerful statesman and he was Eliz I advisor. He was also the first Marquis of Salisbury. He also was responsible for James (I think Eliz I nephew) becoming King as she had no children and would not say who would succeed her. The house is 400 years old this year and is still owned by the latest Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury. Beautiful and very historic with lovely gardens and topiaries and a lovely new cafe area and gift shops. The other 400th anniversary this year is the celebration of the first english translation of the King James Bible and the original and first copy was on display there being owned by Robert Cecil. Quite amazing really.
Our journey home took us through Buckingham where we stopped for a lovely Italian meal for dinner.

Saturday we visited a local and one of the largest open air markets in Britian. Wellsbourne is about half an hour away and sells almost anything you would want to buy. Was about a kilometer long and had 4 aisles - we stocked up on fruit and vege for the week, plus got some kitchen things. All ridiculously cheap. On our way home we discovered another old chateau style building and stopped to enquire what it was. Turns out it is an art gallery so we will revisit in June when there is going to be an exhibiton of Quentin Blakes - illustrator for Rhoald Dahl and another one of Capability Brown - the famous early english landscaper.

Stopped by the British car museum - largest in the country - all of the above only 20 min drive away - which has fantastic displays of cars - the Jaguar, landrover and astin martin factory is next door. The Astin Martin factory is where they dream up, design, build, test, and market the car and is very top secret. The girl on reception of the museum said she has worked there for four years and had not been allowed to set foot in the door. You can also trial a landrover around a course doing very extreme things. We will go back.


Saturday afternoon was the final of the FA cup between Manchester (the favourite) and Stow. We chose a local pub - the Wharf Inn which sits on the Oxford Channel and you can watch the boats come and go - to watch the game. Was a very tame atmosphere compared to an NZ rugby final.

Sunday was quite a bleak day so we had a coffee out and checked out the train station into London from Bandury. We are off to Chelsea flower show next Wednesday and needed to get our heads around times, fees and stations etc. Visited the local garden centre to collect some things for the garden here and did some more exploring in Banbury. Took pics of the Banbury Cross - the first three originals were destroyed by puritans in the 1600's but the one there was erected to commemorate the wedding of princess Victoria - Queen Vic's daughter. The lady on a fine horse is also there and is a beautiful bronze number with the nursey rhyme around the base. They think is comes from the old rocking horse as there used to be a rocking horse day in Banbury each year, many years ago.

Must sign out - John has cooked roast pork in the aga - we are practising to get it right for the owner as it is her favourite. She is quite paticular about how she likes certain things cooked. John is mastering the machine!!!

Sorry about no pics - have a stack to add, but are having trouble mastering this part of the blog. Will keep trying
THE COOK AND THE GARDENER