local stuff - 9 june 2011

A quiet week on the exploring front, but lots of local stuff to show you.  Have been busy in the garden again - have had the awful job of clearing out excess irises and bull rushes out of the ponds.  Quite heavy duty stuff and |I am so glad that there is only one pair of waders.  John looks so funny both before and after -   However that does mean I have to load the trailer after John has pulled them out.  He was furiously pulling out a heap of them in the middle pond when he came upon a family of moorhens and 6 chicks so stopped so as not to disturb their home.  We have had such enjoyment watching the adult female mother these tiny black bits of fluff around the pond.  They are under threat from a nasty heron who visits occasionally  and apparently they just pluck the baby chicks out of the pond and eat them.  We scare it away when we can and the other night I suggested to John that we spend the night in sleeping bags on the look out.  He did not seem keen!!  Susie has what I call a plastic fantastic which is a fake heron bird which is supposed to be a deterrent, but not too sure how effective it is.

Last week we enjoyed a walk up to the Burton Dasset Hill which is a local park with spectacular 360 views.  Right throughout England you can take walks through private property across fields, over styles, through little hamlets.  They are marked  by yellow arrows beside styles or entrances showing you the direction to take.  We had to walk through several fields of young wheat crops with tracks left to walk on.  It really quite neat.

bring it on

where to begin

this is a sh... of a job

our latest arrivals- 3 of the six. So very cute

Banbury market on Saturdays

all 1 pound a bowl

love the choice

Just finished the lawns

The style at the start of the walk thru' the fields

Sue about to take off

umm- this way I think

a bunch for our dining table from the garden

have filled in our application forms

Roses around the kitchen window

The wine shop in Banbury

Birmingham market-also 1 pound for about 8 large tomatoes

Finally met some local villagers this week.  Richard and Rita - gorgeous folk  and their neighbours Graham and Moira.  Was out walking early on Tuesday morning and Richard was chipping weeds out of his driveway so stopped for a chat.  That resulted in an invite for afternoon  tea on Thursday which also extended  to a glass of wine.  Both couples have lived here for over 25 years so have lots of knowledge about the hamlet here.  Richard and Rita were very friendly with Bill the first owner of Knightcote  Hall  - a very wealthy old gentleman who now lives in the South of England.  They were able to give us lots of info about which is the main local put - news about the garden club - John got an invite to a mens breakfast on Saturday morning - the ladies one is not until September, but all the men cook and run down to the local hall which is situated in the middle of the hamlet with hot bacon, eggs etc - sounds a real hoot.  The men are trying out a new location on Saturday.

Saturday mornings we love to go into the market in Banbury to stock up on fresh fruit and Vegetables.  The are super cheap - and fresh.  The vegetables are displayed in plastic bowls which cost £1.  Last week we got 8-9  each of capsicums, pears, potatoes and tomatoes.  Such a bargain -

The famous Banbury cake is obviously made here and as we leave the market to get to the car there is a cafe which advertises them for sale and gives some details about their history.  We  made the mistake of buying a packet of three to try - not only are they delicious - they are addictive and fattening.  Made from crusty pastry, coated in huge granules of sugar with a mix of raisins, spices and some secret ingredient, and they are about the size of a med pita bread but oval in shape.

Had a visit from Sarath who was visiting London to see the cricket test at Lords - Sri Lanka/England en route to Switzerland.  Was lovely to see a familiar face - he ended up staying the night as all the chatting and dinner meant it was to late for the bus after the train once getting back into London.

Had a day off today - a well earned rest - and caught the train up to Birmingham.  ( 50 min on train) A city of a million people.  Could not venture out too far as we were on shanks pony, but had a good explore of the two huge shopping centers which are located side by side.  Discovered the local open air makets which were very busy with locals buying fresh produce which was also ridiculously cheap - we bought 5 hass avocados for £1 - produce of Peru - most avos we have seen are the flavourless Fuerte,  some good looking cheddar and free range eggs all for £2.  Guess its omelettes for dinner.

Must report in that the cook is mastering that beast of an aga - he cooked pork belly this week to the utmost of perfection.  I had to say what Bronnie Towersey says - I dont want this to end - when eating it.  It was so so delicious.

Had the funniest experience at a bank also - was a real  'are you being served'  moment.  Were making enquiries about a bank account and were asked to wait whilst the guy dealing with us said he would try to find someone free to help us.  He disappeared behind a swing door only to return about 2 minutes later to say 'I am  free'.  We just about wet our pants with laughter.!! and are still laughing about it.