Perfect puddings

Pumpkin waiting for Halloween

Pumpkin grown in the garden by Bill & Harry.

Very late tonight after a long weekend of parties, especially nice guests and all kinds of surprises.

I forgot to edit the Hillman Minx and don't know how to change it . Here is a cheese board that I would tuck into if it was still around.

A really lovely old car brought the owners to lunch to celebrate their Golden wedding anniversayr

THE LODGE

View from the Lodge and walking up the drive to breakfast.

This week we completed the renovations at the Gardener's Lodge making a double bedroom, single bedroom/sitting room and bathroom with shower. It has turned out better than I could have imagined, light, warm, lovely views, quiet, the ideal place to stay if you are working in the are a few days a week for a month or so and tire of city hotels. Walk up the lime tree drive to breakfast, potter in for dinner or off to one of the excellent local pubs.

Alfie with friend Bandon and the pike

Last week, Alfie, my 13 year old grandson, caught this huge pike in Hickling fishing lake. After gutting, skinning, mincing, sieving, adding egg white, cream, seasoning, steaming, it was finally served as a starter with lobster sauce and crayfish tails. Light and delicious it went down a treat. Now we are waiting for Alfie to catch another whopper.

Langar Hall Sikh tea party

You will find many Langar Halls in the Punjab and North India. Every Sikh temple has a Langar Hall where
free food is served to the congregation.

In the 10th century near to this Langar was a place of pilgrimage where, according to Vatican archives, 'great multitudes resort' There is now a Langar Hall at Church street, Lenton Nottingham where the Sikhs are converting the listed old school building. Well, I can't resist the fascinating co incidence of the old Sanskrit word and the Sikh temple. Never mind Richard Hawkins and his God or no God, in the 10th century visitors to Langar were blessed, as I think they are today!!

And more flowers in the house thanks to Ian Buxton & the Olympic team

During the past week there have been the most lovely flower arrangements in every room giving a special experience to people coming to see the exhibition of paintings or to enjoy a good lunch, tea or dinner. Somehow the flowers and paintings have made the last days of August and the first week of September special. Of course this Indian Summer has been wonderful too.

Exhibition of paintings by local artists

Here are two of the paintings by local artists on show around the dining room, sitting room and garden room through September.

We have already sold one or more for each of the 8 exhibitors.

The idea is to give the artists the oportunity to show their work and to encourage patrons to buy original paintings to enjoy in their home.

Sunday August 29th Flower arranging demonstration.

Did you know that we have an English Olympic flower arranging team? They won Gold in Canada earlier this year and Gold in Japan three years ago. Next they go to conquer America.

These photographs, taken on my iphone, do their arrangements no justice.

Ian, Allan and Lee arranged 4 stunning pieces in Langar church. I prepared for an hour of tedium, but the skill & beauty accompanied by amusing banter kept all the assorted audience laughing, sighing, gasping and thoroughly enjoying the whole experience. Amazing!

The other side of a wedding

The Father of the bride works hard calming nerves, carrying cases, answering last minute phone messages and packing up the car before settling the bride in beside him. I wonder if they all tell their daughters that it is not too late to change their mind.

Mine did.

And here is a special bride on the morning after the wedding. She left her overnight bag behind but looked lovely in her new husband's new blue shirt.