Ben and Elsie

Jennifer mentioned today that Elsie is now 5 weeks old... Where did that time go then ? Was it only 6 weeks ago that we wondered what she looked like ? Seems as if we've known her for a hundred years....

Great sandwiches at The Hare Arms in Norfolk... and a chance to catch up with Elizabeth.

That's me and rob in Kings Lynn, and Elizabeth looking coy with the daffs.

We are just back at the desk after a week touring the country. Off to see Elizabeth in Norfolk for a few days, and as usual we managed to fit another hundred other things into the week. Going to watch Tom, the office technical wonder boy in a rugby match at Wellington just off the M5 on the outward journey. They - Okehampton team were doing very well until we arrived and put the 'fluence on them. We collected 40 odd trees from a specialist nurseryman in Norfolk, for the Mythic Garden in Chagford, and enjoyed a great deal of gadding about and eating far too much, including this wonderful salmon sandwich taken at The Hare Arms in the best pub near to Elizabeth's home. Click the pic below and try to count the layers of smoked salmon piled into the fresh bread..... The best lunch we had all week.

It's Monday evening and I am only just finding time to look at the pics taken last week. It's all very well taking hundreds of pictures, but it all takes time to put them onto the blog. I've got an armful of shots of this pub with it's friendly staff and interesting interior, pheasants in the garden, and food that is responsible for the car park being full every day. But it took me up til 4 o'clock this afternoon to catch up with my e-mails when I got back to the desk today, and it's 8 in the evening now, and dinner needs preparation... so it will have to be next time...

Sorry chums. Maybe tomorrow

A week of cute faces....

It seems to have been a week of little people. I took this shot of such a dear little miss helping her Mummy out on a stall a the Moretonhampstead Food Festival last Saturday. What a sweetie. The weather was most grim. cold and damp, but she, little duck posed gamely for the camera and did whatever I asked for in the way of poses.

You won't be at all surprised to know that we found time to go over to see Jennifer (our elder daughter ) and her latest baby Elsie. We took Nancy aged 3 now off to Tesco's for a game of hide and seek with Grandad as he wheeled the trolley round and she and I leapt off to hide at the end of each aisle.

She doesn't show any signs of jealousy to the new baby, much more interested in
trying on my shoes - on the wrong feet of course. Rob and I had both been working
far too many hours, and this day off did much to restore my balance.


This morning we nipped over to South Tawton to support the very first South Tawton
Produce and Craft Market. Susan Freeman who bakes very VERY good cakes had a
stall there, and as Tom and I are building her a new website, it seemed a good chance
to go and take some pics of the cakes which were selling like, well, hot cakes....
These 2 youngsters both made purchases. Eleanor with tongue already in action, and
the very cute Topaz who any parent could be proud of, as she remembered her Pleases
and Thank you's beautifully. I do like a child with good manners. Later on I asked her if she would mind posing with Peter, one of the village elders, and she obliged without a murmer.
Thats a nice shot too , but it will have to be next time now.. Time for a pot of tea.
Cheers chicks x

Now I know how to make Rosti....

Happy revellers dressed in fifties style. This group of pals were out on a coach trip
from the Ship Inn at Teignmouth. Dressed in fifties style they were having a blast.

Happy chef Wayne Pearson with veggie Rosti in hand...

The said Rosti.....

Michael Caines shows us the meaning of the word gelatinous when applied to chicken stock.

And a pyramid of prettily decorated cupcakes, the perfect solution for wedding receptions .....

All of this plus much more at the Moretonhampstead Food Festival on Saturday.

The weather was absolutely horrible, cold and foggy, but there was a big turnout and lashings of good food all around... yummy !

What do you think about the new Chagford Show website ?

The new website for Chagford Show has taken up a good deal of our time this week.
Tom and I have completely redesigned the whole thing, and I think you will agree that it looks a lot more slick and colourful. Do take a look and let me have any feedback... please .

More information will go on as we get closer to the date for the show which is Thursday 18th August.
If you rate the website and you are a member of facebook, then do the show a favour by clicking the thumbs up for 'Like' on the facebook lineup. Thank you.... Jilly

2 new food reviews in place - at least 3 months overdue.

At last I have managed to upload 2 new food reviews.
They have been waiting on the desk for far too long.
One with a trip over to Manaton where the bar staff were warm and friendly, and another to Cornwood where the barmaid was not so chatty. Shame...... The landlady was nice though. Click here to see both food reviews listed.
I apologise right now for them only being light lunches.
I must get Rob to take me out for some serious dining......
We have been asked to a Quiz night in Chagford this coming Friday with nibbles. I shall try to keep the camera stowed. Difficult ...