I managed to leave the office by 17:30 on Thurday, which meant that we were on the road by 18:45 travelling down to Mum’s. The journey was a bit like travelling the evening before a bank holiday, and we were both very tired, so it was great to arrive at Mum’s and have chicken and chips waiting for us.
Friday dawned wet and yucky, so after breakfast we headed of to Montacute House near Yeovil. We got luck with the weather, it was dry whilst we looked at the first part of the garden, it rained whilst we were in the house, and then was dry when we came out and did the rest of the garden.
There were some interesting rooms, and some nice pictures (except the feet!), and the garden was simply but interesting.
We headed of to our B&B about 16:00, and arrived at 17:00. It was one of those moments when you look at the building in front of you cant be the right place, it looks as big as Montacute. But it was, well part of it was our B&B.
The rooms were fantastic, the Kitchen had great high ceilings, a centre island, and lovely comfortable chairs, it also feature a wonderful wooden stair case.
I knew we have a 4 poster bed in our room, but even knowing that I was surprised at how nice the room was.
It was trying the rain again as we waited for the taxi to go to River Cottage HQ, but in the 5 minute drive the sun came out.
It was a strange thing looking down on the house that we had seen on TV, as the sun started to set over the Dorset hills.
We had a lovely welcome drink, and a blue cheese and beetroot canapé.
I wont go into details of the night, suffice it to say the food and drink was fantastic.
Look at the menu and drool!
Cider brandy with apple juice
Roasted beetroot on blue cheese crostini
Chorizo on egg mayonnaise crostini
Pollock gratin on crostini
Nettle beer
Brawn, pork liver, sourdough, chutney and baby leaves
Crab bisque, dressed crab, herb yoghurt
Slow roast shoulder of mutton, seared loin and leg, little haggis, parsnip purée, green herb sauce
Streamed lemon sponge, orange curd and double cream
Plum wine
Pineau des charentes
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and unheard for us we were up for 9:00 for our cooked breakfast. It was lovely, and our hosts were very welcoming.
Our (my) plans had always centred around the River Cottage experiences so I had not put much thought into Saturdays activities, that however was fine as my wife had wanted to go fossil hunting in Lyme Regis for almost 30 years!
It was a great sunny day, lots of walking along the beach, which was not to busy. When it was time for lunch we found a restaurant / bar that did bar food, and had 3 fish based starters to share:
Whitebate in breadcrumbs
Tiger Prawns in filo pastry
Crab cakes.
It was a seaside tapas, and was so fresh, it was great!
Refreshed we walked further along the sea front, through the formal gardens and back to the car (via the Mary Anning Museum).
We the made a short trip to Axminster just in case the River Cottage Canteen did not sell stuff when we returned later for dinner. It wont have so we bought some wine, liquor, and chutney (yum).
Then back to the B&B and a lovely soak in the large bath.
So come 19:00 it was off for River Cottage Experience number 2 at the Canteen. A menu with a choice, but as we discovered a venue that turns tables, so the only blot on the River Cottage experience was the rather snooty way were we told ‘We should have been there for 19:00, and had to be out for 21:00, now they could serve us that quickly so it was up to us!’ not sure she really understands the Hue experience.
Again the food was 1st class, so the menu was:
Seared hand dive scallops, potato and garlic purée with canteen chorizo
Belle
Slow roast shoulder and seared loin of organic hoggit, potato gratin buttered greens and rosemary gravy
Lemon curd Eton mess
Me
Slow roast shoulder of organic pork, mash, buttered greens apple sauce and cider gravy
Vanilla yoghurt pannacotta with poach rubarb
As I was driving I was on the apple juice with Elderflower, and Belle was on the Camel Valley red (which I thought tasted young, but Belle enjoyed).
So back home on Sunday after another good breakfast, and in conclusion we had a stonking time, very relaxing, wonderful food, and only 50 miles to drive (other than getting there and back, which does not count).
We both cant wait to go back, and will be pitching to friends next weekend, one is a real foodie, and I am sure he will be up for it, cos he will love it!
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