The Norfolk Broads

After living in Norfolk for nearly 14 years, we finally hired a Boat and spent a day on the Broads. Now we've walked around many a Broad, had picnics and camped, but never actually been on them. It was a very exciting day, especially as it was my Birthday treat. Eight of us clambered aboard for whole day of fun.

I am quite surprised how much stuff we thought we needed for the day - bags and bags of stuff; Hampers, BBQs, Gas Stove, Kettle, Blankets, Cake, and lots of Cameras.

We cruised out of Wroxham, passing lots of pretty waterside homes and then we were out onto the River Bure. We were all like little children, exclaiming loudly on spotting a Heron, Marsh Harrier or Pink Footed Goose. It really was quite amusing. After the first half an hour we calmed down and settled into the pace of the Broads. It was peaceful and serene; quite simply perfect in the sunshine.

We stopped for lunch near How Hill on the River Ant - the Boys tended the BBQs and cooked a wonderful lunch. What is it about Boys and BBQs?!

Then there was Cake - I made Cherry Bakewell Cupcakes, Sticky Toffee Pudding Cupcakes and Chocolate and Hazelnut Cupcakes. If there's a Birthday, you need Cake. But Cake is even better outside on a Boat! Heavenly.

And there were presents - I am a very lucky girl. My Friends know me so well and my Husband even bought me a Captains Hat which I did wear for the whole day. It was such a lovely day and I can't wait to go on the broads again; it was so magical and beautiful.

My Saturday

Today is our first day off from work for a whole nine glorious days. We wanted to take it easy today so spent the day pottering not too far from home. There was lots and lots of Tea - I do love Yorkshire Tea, it's my favourite. I started a new crochet blanket with a very very long foundation chain. It's very exciting starting a new project and I choose the yarn from my embarrassingly extensive stash. I had eight inches chopped from my hair in a nice hairdressers in Reepham - very impulsive, we drove passed, stopped and fortunately they had an appointment then and there. We had lunch in the rather yummy Recruiting Sergeant in Horstead - I went with  the Smoked Salmon Souffle and the Boy went with a Hog Roast Bap. We had a wander around Kerris Farmhouse Pine and Very Nice Things as well as a quick trip to Hobbycraft as the Boy needed some elastic, but I managed to pick up a couple of things too. Snacks after dinner was dried fruit and nuts - I particularly enjoyed the Lime infused Sultanas. Here's to the next eight days being so delightful.

Things around here

So far January has been a good month. We've been eating lots of warming winter food like roasted Root vegetables and we've been enjoying plenty of Snow. Norfolk has been undercover of a blanket of white for coming up to two weeks now and I've loved every moment of it. I've also been making a lot of Soup; it's good January food. This time round it was just a simple Leek and Potato. Talking of the snow, I've found it to be a great way of keep drinks cold - it;s most convenient. Gosh I do love the Snow. We've also been experimenting with drinks, this we've made a Strawberry and Banana Smoothies, Lime and Strawberry Soda and Pomegranate Cordial. We've also received a very cute hand painted card from a rather delightful two year old. We've found a great new Farm Shop in Mulbarton for us to do the weekly shop. It's so much more of a relaxed affair than a supermarket. Finally I thought I'd give Graze a go and so far so good. I hope the last few days of January are just as good.

Christmas Decorations

I love love love Christmas decorations. I will confess that even in October I am waiting for the shops to put up their festive displays. There cannot be a decent Christmas decoration shop within 50 miles that I haven't got on my radar! If there is please tell me!!! Anyway, some people collect Stamps, others Comic Books or Autographs - mine is Christmas decorations. So I thought I'd share some of my favourite local haunts for the best festive shopping around.

Kerri's Farmhouse Pine
The Old Railway Station, Reepham, NR10 4LJ

Kerri's offer an exceptionally eclectic and beautiful range of Christmas decorations; stuff that I've never seen anywhere else.  From jewelled coloured glass owls to Mallard Ducks and traditional glass baubles to Toy Soldiers. I never fail to get excited when we visit and I carefully fill my basket with shiny pretty things. I love the uniqueness of their items, I can image each one is chosen with care. We often go back a few times running up to Christmas just for the sheer love of it.

Blackthorpe Barn
Rougham, Bury St Edmunds, IP30 9HZ

This is the first year that we went to Blackthorpe Barn. I just happen across it on the Internet one weekend and within the hour we were on our way there. Boy was it worth the trip - it was amazing! It has a serious amount of decorations. So many types, colours, shapes, textures. I filled a whole basket with lovely things including a Willow Reindeer and Stars. They also had the most vibrantly green Christmas trees which looked amazing against the black painted wood of the outside of the barn. We will definitely  be making Blackthorpe Barn part of our annual Christmas decoration shopping.

Elveden Estate*
London Road, Elevden, IP24 3TQ

Back to an annual haunt are the shops are the Eleveden Estate. They are great for their Christmas Decorations but also for a little gift shopping. The quality of their products is amazing. It always feels a bit of a treat going to the Elevden Estate and you can pick up something yummy in their food hall. Their decorations are a little more on the tradition side and they are wonderfully displayed. It feels really cosy inside and I love that they display their goods as you would at home. So very pretty.

Red House Christmas Barn*
IP17 1NG

My Sister took me to Red House Christmas Barn for the first time last year and boy it was a treat. So beautifully put together with lots of display trees. They also have two Reindeer which was amazing - I had never seen one before! It was a bit like walking into Narnia. They were served Mulled Apple Juice which was exceptionally tasty. We are going back this weekend and I can't wait.

*Photos from their website

Colourful Weekend

Last weekend was delightful, full of beautiful colour, yummy food, organisation and Crochet. On Saturday,  after a lazy morning of PJs and Coffee, we headed to North Norfolk making our first stop at Edgefield Nursery. It's my most very favourite place to buy flowers and it's where we bought our wedding flowers. They always have the most beautiful blooms and the colours make my heart swell. We took home some Hot Pink Frilly Carnations and bought Sunflowers for a friend, just look how happy these flowers are - the yellow is the most perfect shade. 

Our main destination was Wiveton Hall Cafe which is surrounded by Strawberry fields and Raspberry Canes on a PYO Farm. We've been meaning to go there for an absolute age - anyone who paints a place with such pretty pretty colours deserves lots and lots of customers. Plus, their food, well what can I say, it was truly marvellous and local to boot, so it wins my vote.

I chose the Weybourne Lobster, New Potatoes, Salad and Green Herb Mayonnaise and the boy had Sheringham Seabass with Aioli, Rosemary infused Cannelini Beans and Samphire. I will confess to dipping my Fork into his plate, I just couldn't resist, I was nice though and did share too! Completely and utterly beautiful food and I'm very glad we went.

After lunch we drove to our friends house, however, we had arrived too early. So we headed to The Pigs in Edgefield for a Coffee and a game of cards. We started off playing 21s but ended with Snap - far more us!

When our friend was home, we helped her prepare some food and then we headed over to her Allotment in Reepham. We spent the evening admiring the plots and enjoying an supper of Jacket Potatoes and Allotment goodies - it really was rather lovely and extremely peaceful. Thank heavens the menacing skies didn't open and the evening stayed warm and dry.

Sunday morning saw us doing a food shop - something I really don't enjoy doing at all, but it meant our very empty cupboards were replenished. It also meant that I could do a bit of organising and labelling of our baking supplies and Spices. You've got to love Dymo!

There was a spot of baking, this weekend it was Carrot and Bran Muffins - one of my favourite recipes. We also made a Ham for the weeks lunches before preparing dinner. It was a super yummy dinner in the Gourmet Burger Kitchen stylee - a naked Bacon and Cheese Burger, Salad and a Mustard Vinaigrette Celeriac Coleslaw.

In between all this activity was frenzied Crocheting - just four weeks left until this blanket needs to be finished! I'm about a third of the way there now, so I might just make it!

Weekending

We've had a rather delightful weekend. It started on Friday night with the Olympic Opening Ceremony. We were invited to a friends house and asked to dress as a Country - above is just a snapshot of the outfits. There was a Barbecue, some drinkies and we watched the ceremony in the outdoor cinema in their garden. There was lots and lots of puddings - almost everyone brought one! We took two homemade Pavlovas - a Summer Berry and Raspberry and Passion Fruit. I enjoyed every moment of the ceremony - it really was quite spectacular. 

On Saturday, we headed to North Norfolk to the Langham Street Fayre. It really is one of my favourite Norfolk events. I love the all the stalls, the food, the entertainment and the atmosphere.

Our first port of call was Yvonne Law's stall who hand casts pewter jewellery and ornaments that are inspired by the flora and fauna of North Norfolk. I love love love her work. We bought two pieces at the last  Fayre in Langham and I was itching to add to our collection.

Outside the Church was the stall of Sea 2 Sea who creates handmade decorative driftwood items. Eventually after a long debate, we settled on a Whale and I love him already!

This stall made me smile - I've never seen so much Licorice!

This guy made us smile too...

We then settle opposite The Bluebell pub and enjoyed the Sea Shanties of The Wild Rovers. I could have listened to them all day. Here's a little clip...

On the way home we stopped at the Norwich Makers Market and purchased some Macaroons - they were absolutely delicious, especially the Lime one! Such pretty colours.

Today, Sunday saw a stay at home day. A new Crochet project was started - a Baby Blanket for a friend whose little one is due in just five weeks - I must get on with this blanket and crochet quick!

There was also a little baking - Chocolate and Hazelnut Cupcakes from The Hummingbird Bakery book. Dang, these Cupcakes are amazing, completely yummy!

My Sister then came home and had bought us some more Macaroons! Two lots of Macaroons in a weekend - absolutely heavenly!