Tag Archives: Family

Picnicking in the Trough of Bowland

One of my all time favourite childhood memories is picnicking in the Trough of Bowland with my grandparents. Every summer they packed the car up with my sisters and I, the dogs, copious amounts of delicious homemade food and wellies for paddling.

The Trough of Bowland is a valley between Marshaw (northeast of Garstang) and Dunsop Bridge (northwest of Clitheroe) in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Lancashire.

Forest of BowlandAONBs are areas in the countryside that have been designated for conservation due to their natural beauty, in a similar way to national parks. If you haven’t yet experienced the Forest of Bowland, you are missing out on one of the country’s most breathtaking natural environments.

While most people know of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, the Forest of Bowland is their lesser known but equally impressive neighbour.

TreesThe landscape is wild and untouched; a vast expanse of fells, valleys and moors that will stir and exhilarate you. At the same time, tall trees shelter and flowing water soothes. It’s the stuff of epic legends and enchanted tales.

The Trough pass is a ‘scenic route’ if ever there was one, traversing through the magnificent Bowland fells and rising almost 300m above sea level at its highest point. The Trough is only a small part of the Forest of Bowland, which is dotted with picturesque villages as it reaches just into Yorkshire to the northeast and to Pendle Hill at the southeast corner.

There are 312 square miles to explore in total and you’ll need more than a day to do that!

StreamI’m so grateful to my grandparents for introducing me to this special place that has become a favoured destination for walking, eating out, pottering and, of course, picnicking. My family continues the tradition every summer (with my grandparents accompanying us in spirit) and it’s always a riot.

You can drive along the Trough road and pick one of umpteen perfect spots to park up and lay your picnic. Sheep roam free, dragonflies skim the water that runs downstream to the River Wyre and dappled sunlight warms through the leaves of the trees (if you’re lucky!).

All the things we did decades ago are still a source of laughter and enjoyment – lazing in the sun sandwich in one hand, sausage roll in the other, paddling, playing with a bat and ball, letting the dogs run and roam – and I have just as much fun as I did when I was 10!

Blackberry picking in the late summer sun

When summer is drawing to an end and you can feel the first hints of autumn in the air, blackberry picking is the perfect way to enjoy the last warm days of the year.

From the end of August and through September, blackberries can be found growing in hedgerows up and down the country. My favourite spot is along the old railway line from Knott End to Preesall, which used to serve the Pilling Pig locomotive transporting passengers from Knott End to Pilling and onwards to Garstang in the early 1900s.

The old railway line

The Knott End to Pilling stretch of the line closed in 1950 and a section from Hackensall Woods in Knott End to Park Lane in Preesall is now a footpath. It’s about a mile long and you’ll experience both the shelter of woodland and the full force of the elements as you cross wide open countryside.

The old railway line from PreesallFrom the top of the steps at the Preesall end (which is well hidden at the roadside), you can see much of the footpath laid out before you (pictured). There are a number of points to veer off the line and change course, including a six mile route that picks up the Wyre Way.

Blackberries line much of the footpath and I have wonderful memories of picking them with my grandparents as a child. I still follow my grandad’s advice: select berries at the same height as you (higher are for birds, lower may have been watered by dogs), wear something long sleeved and leave some for everybody else!

Taking advantage of nature’s offering and the chance to eat ripe, seasonal fruit for free is a must! The dog comes too, meaning we both get our daily quota of exercise and fresh air (and she’s partial to a blackberry or two).

Blackberry and Apple CrumbeSo what to do with your haul? My nana made big pans of blackberry jam but for me, nothing signals autumn like crumble. My favourite recipe is Deliciously Ella’s Apple and Blackberry Crumble (pictured), which uses only a handful of ingredients to make a wholesome and nutritious version.

The smell as it bakes and the delicious mouthfuls that follow are the fruits of your labours to be enjoyed. And with this virtuous recipe, you can enjoy cold crumble for breakfast the next morning!

From hedgerow to bowl in hours – soul food indeed.

Summer fun at Great Eccleston Show

When the weather is on form, there’s really nothing better than spending a summer’s day outdoors at one of the north of England’s agricultural shows.

It’s the all-the-time-in-the-world pace that I love. And the haze of mellow revelry in the warm air.

At over 150 years old, Great Eccleston Show is still going strong. It’s one of the most popular events in Lancashire and this year is no exception.

Goats

The animals all looking their best (cattle, goats, sheep, shire horses, pigs, ponies, poultry, ferrets, rabbits, budgerigars…) – prize winners’ rosettes proudly displayed – are delightful to see.

There are marquees showcasing and selling local food, crafts, horticulture and art; modern and classic agricultural vehicles and equipment; entertainment in the form of fairground, stunt riders and cooking demonstrations (TV chef Phil Vickery this year); sheep shearing, herding and beekeeping demonstrations; and the main event, the tractor pulling, is the most random but thrilling sport to watch!

Shire horeses

You’ll find all the essentials on site – beer tent, food trucks and plenty of ice cream vans. Take a blanket and some sun cream and kick back. I saw more than one person napping on the grass in the sunshine!

Tickets are £12 for adults on the gate and £2 for kids but parking is free. You can take your dogs and they will be welcomed.

The showground is on Garstang Road (A586) in Great Eccleston, near Preston.

Find out more at greatecclestonshow.co.uk

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in St Anne’s

Crafty Vintage 002Alice’s is a quirky and colourful little tea room on St. Alban’s Road, just off the high street in St Anne’s town centre.

Themed around Lewis Carroll’s classic story Alice In Wonderland, you’ll find yourself surrounded by familiar characters, including my favourite the grinning Cheshire cat, and cute details like playing cards for menus and ‘Eat me’ labels on your food. Oh, and everything is upside down!

At a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, only afternoon tea will do in my opinion. A large pot of loose leaf tea served with china cups and saucers came alongside a selection of ham, cheese and tuna sandwiches with crisps and salad; scones with jam, cream and fresh strawberries; and mini butterfly cakes, millionaire’s shortbread, brownies, rocky road and chocolate crispies.

Alice’s is a real treat for kids – they’ll love the brilliant surroundings, colouring books and crayons, fantastic ice cream counter and magnificent milkshakes in flavours like Oreo and Maltesers.

Meanwhile, grown ups will be equally enthralled by the spectacular multi-coloured and multi-layered cakes on display around the tea room. See them for yourself on Alice’s Facebook page

Also on offer on the menu are breakfasts, sandwiches, paninis, salads and jacket potatoes and a good range of teas. The waitresses are friendly and attentive, and it’s evident that a lot of affection goes into running this tea room.

At £13.95 for afternoon tea for two that left us full to bursting, Alice’s is an inexpensive way to escape boredom and enter a mini fantasy world for an hour or two!

Follow The Sea Swallow’s trail along the Mythic Coastline

Shipwrecks
Shipwrecks

Fresh air, mysterious creatures and a magical story are all waiting to be discovered on the Mythic Coastline, from Cleveleys to Fleetwood.

I’ll start at the beginning… The Sea Swallow is a children’s book written by Gareth Thompson that brings to life the folklore and myth that surrounds this stretch of coastline.

The area is home to the Lune Deep, an underwater Grand Canyon created 20,000 years ago during the last Ice Age and home to a rich and colourful variety of wildlife, with captivating names like Dead Man’s Fingers and Mermaid’s Glove. But what else lives there?

Sea Swallows
Sea Swallows

Well you’ll have to read the book but you can see the setting for the story and some of the characters in real life by following the artwork trail along the seafront.

The trail starts at the junction of Kingsway and the promenade at Cleveleys (near the Anchorsholme border), with Shipwrecks, a memorial to all the ships wrecked off the Fylde coast between 1643 and 2008.

Next, and not difficult to find, is the imposing Sea Swallows monument standing tall at the top of Victoria Road West, etched with words from the book to fire up your imagination:

Down in Lune Deep
Far below the sea
Something sparkles
Like sunken treasure.
A strange boy is watching
But steals away in a flash
As the Sea-Ogre stirs
And our story begins…

The Paddle
The Paddle

Continue your quest northwards and The Paddle, a huge wooden carving, can be found washed ashore a little further along. Who could such a ginormous thing possibly belong to? Read the inscription to find out…

The Sea Ogre
The Sea Ogre

You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you as you try to spot the stone Sea Ogre. Although he weighs 12 tonnes and his eyes burn bright red, he hides on the beach among the rocks and isn’t so easy to see. Hopefully you’ll catch a glimpse – if you have the courage to get up close.

The final character to be found on the beach is the Sea Shell, which holds ‘every sound and every spellbound secret of the sea!’ and rises out of the sea as the tide goes back out. It’s big enough for dogs and kids to play in too!

Sea Shell
Sea Shell

This brings you to Café Cove on the promenade but the trail doesn’t end there. Carry on along the seafront to Rossall Point and step inside the observation tower, which is built to look like it’s leaning in to the wind. Apart from fantastic views across Morecambe Bay available from the viewing decks, there’s also Sea Swallow inspired artwork and lots to learn about the environment.

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Rossall Point Observation Tower

The Mythic Coastline has been created by Wyre Council as part of a project to improve Wyre’s seafront and reveals an enchanting tale about this area of the coast, even to those who know it well.

Spend an exhilarating (and free!) afternoon following the trail – you won’t be disappointed.

Warning: make sure the tide is going to be out when you go, or you’ll miss the main characters!

There’s street parking at Cleveleys promenade and a free car park at Rossall Point.

Vintage fair at nature reserve not to be missed

Crafty Vintage 005Today has been a perfect sunny spring day for the Crafty Vintage Fair at Brockholes Nature Reserve near Preston.

Crafty Vintage brings together purveyors of vintage, retro and handmade clothes, décor, gifts, art, food, entertainment and much more, all with character you just won’t find on the high street.

Brockholes near Preston is a floating village set in 250 acres of wildlife habitat that is home to everything from birds and insects to otters and fish.

You might not think the two likely partners but Brockholes provides a beautiful open air venue for a fabulous event with a wonderfully uplifting vibe – it’s in the sights, sounds and smells and guarantees a good day out.

There’s a lot going on but it’s well organised and the atmosphere is laid-back. The stalls are vibrant and the creative bods selling their wares are a friendly and welcoming bunch. 

A cup of tea (although if it had been a couple of hours later in the day it might have been a cocktail) in the sunshine while looking out across the water and listening to the mellow tones of a live vintage-style singer was a perfect moment.

Refreshments on offer included an absolutely huge pan of sumptuous-looking paella bubbling away alongside spicy Mexican street food, wood fired pizza and some of the biggest and most spectacular cakes I’ve seen in my life!

One stall I have to mention is Millie and Ruby’s Dog Bakery, a Lancashire firm that makes dog treats such as chicken and cheddar chick biscuits, peanut butter and banana bones and apple and cinnamon paw lollipups. They don’t add anything artificial nor do they use preservatives and many of their ingredients are organic and locally sourced. A great idea for dog lovers and of course our beloved pooches.

Brockholes also has its own restaurant, art and craft gallery and souvenir shop plus an adventure play area for kids, three different walking trails and wildlife hide.

Entry to the fair is £2 (kids go free) and it’s on again tomorrow (Sunday 19 April), 10am until 5pm.

I will warn you though that parking at Brockholes isn’t cheap – £3 for the first hour, then 50p for every 20 minutes thereafter, to a maximum of £6. Income from car parking goes towards conservation though, so it is money well spent. If you make use of the walking trails and play area as well as the fair, you could spend the whole day there. And it couldn’t be easier to find either – just off junction 31 of the M6. The Guild Wheel runs through the site, so you could cycle there too!

Crafty Vintage runs regular events throughout the year. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more details.

Find out more about Brockholes Nature Reserve

Mediterranean dining on the Fylde Coast

Ego Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar on Pleasant Street in Lytham is a laid back establishment that really embodies the unapologetic pleasure-seeking way of life that part of the world is famous for.

It looks the part – exposed brickwork, olive green and brown walls and seating, wooden panelling and flooring warmed up with fairy and tea lights throughout the restaurant. The kitchen is open dispelling tantalising smells across the restaurant and jazz music plays subtly in the background. The waiters are smart and efficient and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Oh yes, this is the right place for a siesta.

When the sun is shining, glass doors and windows along the length of the building allow the light to fill it. And on the precious days we are blessed with sunshine and warmth, an outdoor terrace lets you take full advantage of al fresco dining.

My family visited on the afternoon of Mother’s Day when the restaurant was full with like-minded parties of numerous generations, from toddlers to pensioners, all seemingly enjoying themselves.

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Choosing from a special menu for the event, I opted for chargrilled rump steak served with peppercorn sauce, potatoes and vegetables followed by warm chocolate brownie with fudge sauce and ice cream. My meal was cooked to perfection and flavoursome, the steak tender, and the brownie was one of the best I’ve ever tasted (and there have been many) – rich and gooey.

The rest of my party, comprising meat, fish-only, fussy and pregnant eaters, sampled just about everything else on the menu and were all very impressed, and most importantly, satisfied. This is not always easy to achieve for a family whose biggest love in life is food!

DSC03409Singled out for special mention were the paprika flavoured calamari, honey glazed Iberian belly pork, salmon fillet with leek, pancetta and white wine sauce and sticky toffee pudding.

Most of these dishes are available on the main menu, which also offers pastas, pizzas and risottos in addition to a wide variety of Mediterranean inspired dishes. They hold regular themed nights and there’s a fixed price menu on offer throughout the week.

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The menu offered two and three course options, £17.95 and £20.95 respectively, which represented good value for money on a special occasion, and at the end of the meal the mothers in our party were presented with gifts of primulas, which was a nice touch. All the menus are available to view on the website and you can book a table online too. They’re also on Facebook and Twitter

Ego Lytham is currently one of eight restaurants nationwide but there is a distinct local feel to it. The venue is stylish yet unpretentious, modern but welcoming. There’s a family feel and a sense of taking time to enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace.

I’ve visited previously on a Friday night when the restaurant adopts a mellow evening vibe. There’s also a separate bar with seating which is open late – perfect for a pre or post-dinner cocktail. Conveniently located in the town centre, there’s also a public car park (paid) right next to the venue.

Ego is a particularly lovely destination to treat or impress someone.

Upstairs downstairs, tea and treasure in Poulton

Halo is a coffee house-tea room in Poulton and a frequent haunt of mine for lunch or afternoon tea and cake. Situated above Gabriel’s House on Ball Street, opposite St Chad’s church, it’s conveniently located in the town centre and guarantees great quality homemade food at every visit.

IMG_2194Gabriel’s House sells darling gifts and items for the home – a treasure trove of Sia products, chic interior gems plus unique jewellery and scarves. If you’re in need of a gift for a woman, you’ll find it here, along with a little something for yourself I often find. You have to go through the shop and up the stairs at the back to reach Halo, so the chances of a purchase are high!

The café is petite and snug with a handful of tables in a room decorated very much in the vein of the shop below – quaint and inviting. It’s nearly always busy (testament to the popularity of the establishment) so I find the best chance of getting a table is mid-afternoon, which just happens to be perfect for tea and cake.

The menu is varied and reasonably priced. Choose from a long list of hot and cold drinks, including a good range of teas – I always opt for my favourite Assam brew. Food-wise breakfast, brunch and lunch are catered for with hot and cold sandwiches, toasties and salads, all served with salad and coleslaw; jacket potatoes with infinite fillings and tasty soup; plus favourites such as toasted rarebit and Halo club sandwich.

IMG_2192The specials board always delights with tasty dishes like potato cakes with smoked salmon and cream cheese and cauliflower mornay with crispy bacon.

When it comes to cake, there’s always a hot pudding and a selection of slices and scones. The egg custard is perfect and a personal favourite.

Halo is the perfect venue for a lunch break, shopping stop off or catch up with friends whether you’re dashing or have time on your hands. It feels a little like being in your mum’s kitchen; familiar and comforting with food served up as it comes out of the oven. Expect to pay around £7 for a sandwich and tea. There are a number of public car parks nearby (paid) and a bus stop almost opposite.

Good luck resisting the urge to buy something you don’t need but desperately must have from Gabriel’s House on the way out!

The best brew in Manchester?

Teacup Kitchen is a tea lovers’ dream and a jewel of an eatery in Manchester city centre, perfect for a leisurely lunch or mid-shopping brew and cake.

I began following Teacup Kitchen on Facebook after reading about it in a magazine and the vivid photos of delicious looking food and drinks appearing on my timeline implored me to pay a visit.

Located on Thomas Street, in the Northern Quarter and just a few minutes’ walk from the main high street, you can expect originality and attention to detail from the moment you step inside.

IMG_2175The venue has the feel of a retro warehouse diner with a red, brown and stainless steel interior, wooden table and chairs, tiled floors and an open kitchen, with an old fashioned bell used by the chefs to signal that food is ready to serve. It’s a spacious and attractive venue that was half full when we visited early afternoon on a Tuesday. 50s style music playing (non intrusively) in the background helped to give it a social and relaxed atmosphere. My fellow diners ranged widely in age and it is definitely not just a venue for ladies who like to lunch.

IMG_2173A vast menu, with specials intriguingly presented in the form of a letter within, made deciding what to have a lengthy affair. Let’s start with the drinks. Despite a choice of smoothies, milkshakes, fresh juices, coffees, hot chocolate and even wine, beers and ciders, this was easy for me – I’m a dedicated tea drinker. I just had to choose from around 25 different types ranging from a selection of Earl Greys to the delectably named Performing Flower Tea which promises a display of dancing blossoms and Energise Your Eyes, a reviving tonic. There’s even one to help you recover from a hangover! I opted for Assam Gold – black tea, good and strong.

IMG_2170My tea was served in a pot with strainer (no tea bags here) and a quirky tea timer which I loved – three little egg timers designed to tell you when your tea has reached the desired level of strength. You can also buy a range of loose leaf teas to take home with you.

Making a food choice was tricky – there was much on the menu to tempt me (I should say that I like fresh, seasonal, unprocessed food and if these criteria are met, I’m open to all suggestions). Sandwiches, soup, pies, pastries and eggs of every variety – Benedict, Florentine, scrambled and poached; afternoon tea, cream tea, scones, flapjack and cake by the slice; something for breakfast, lunch and tea; and each item thoughtfully put together with scrumptious sounding flavours and textures.

DSC03498I opted for an oldie but a goodie – beans on toast! But not just any beans on toast, Heritage Tomato Beans, a mix of tomatoes, red kidney beans and green lentils in tomato sauce served on rye toast. My choice did not disappoint. The combination of ingredients was luscious, the tomatoes ripe and busting with flavour, and it was a healthy portion.

The rest of my party sampled a cream tea (with the jam and cream served together in a glass jar, which went down extremely well with my scone connoisseur mum); a ham hock, cheddar and piccalilli sandwich; a Love Ewe sandwich of sheep’s cheese and sweet onion marmalade; and a shared portion of sweet potato fries, all of which impressed. We all spent around £10 each on our lunch and a drink, which I thought was great value for money.

The cake counter was drool-inducing. Colourful is not the word – pale green pistachio cake, pink red velvet cake and multi-coloured rainbow cake just some of the treats on offer. If we hadn’t had a pressing shopping agenda, we’d have each sampled a different one. Still, gives me an excuse to go back…

DSC03503The waiters were pleasant and attentive and the food was served quickly but without any implication that is should be eaten quickly. I could have happily ordered another pot of tea and whiled away a lazy afternoon there.

Teacup Kitchen is an absolute gem and a welcome alternative to the masses of national chain eateries that dominate the city centre.

Hiking and al fresco dining at Nicky Nook

Nicky Nook and the Apple Store Cafe are regular destinations for family hikes followed by tea and cake in all weathers.

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The summit

Nicky Nook is located on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, overlooking the picturesque village of Scorton, just north of Garstang. One of the most beautiful spots in Wyre, this area demonstrates how Lancashire’s countryside rivals that of the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales and is the perfect place to enjoy some very simple pleasures.

This circular walk is easy to follow – simply head through Scorton village, up Snowhill Lane and over the motorway bridge to the foot of Nicky Nook (where you can park). Go through the kissing gate and begin the climb up the hill.

The path to the summit, which is marked with a white pillar and sits 215m high, has recently been improved to reduce flooding and the views across Morecambe Bay and the Bowland Fells are well worth the effort involved in reaching the top.

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Woodland path

From the top, carry on along the path until you reach the dry stone wall. Don’t cross the ladder stile – take the path to the right of the wall and drop down a steep slope into the Grizedale Valley.

You’ll see steps and a signpost when you reach the foot of the hill at the other side of Nicky Nook; turn right and head along the woodland path. You’ll pass Grizedale Reservoir on your left and then pick up Grizedale Brook as you wind your way through the woods. Eventually you’ll reach a gate and a crossroads of sorts, with a signpost offering four directions and a little wooden bridge to your left. Go right, over the stile and up the short but steep hillside that brings you out onto the road at Slean End. Turn right and follow the road back to your starting point.

In contrast to the expansive, blustery, life-affirming landscape of Nicky Nook, the route back through the woods offers a more intimate environment with much of the path covered by a canopy of trees and an explosion of sound and colour all around you.

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Spring flowers in bloom

Wildlife is abundant; there are currently thousands of bluebells in bloom plus cowslip, buttercups, wild garlic to name just a few and even rhubarb along the roadside. And the sweet sounding chorus of birdsong offers a perfect soundtrack to an idyllic country amble.

My family (including two Labradors) manages this walk with ease – our ages range from 30 to 65 (although I’ve passed many children on this route too) – and it takes us around an hour and a half at a leisurely pace. The terrain is uneven throughout so I’d recommend sturdy footwear and after rain, expect plenty of mud – but don’t let it put you off. This walk is perfect for experiencing the changes in the seasons.

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The Apple Store Cafe

The only fitting end to a ramble of this nature (or any ramble) is tea and cake and the Apple Store Café and Walled Garden provides the perfect spot to indulge. Part of the Wyresdale Park Estate, the café lies a few hundred metres from the starting point of this walk (it’s very well signposted) and offers a delicious menu of homemade sandwiches, soups and lunchtime fare, delightful selection of cakes and charming setting to boot.

It welcomes walkers, cyclists and dogs and weather permitting, you can choose to eat al fresco in the tree-sheltered gardens or sit in the rustic conservatory complete with roaring fire. Food is served on pretty mismatched china and the service is warm and friendly. A bowl of soup with homemade bread, slice of cake and pot of tea will cost less than £10 – a well-earned treat. There’s also ample parking around the café.

There are longer walks in this area if you fancy more of a challenge and Scorton village is well worth taking a little time to explore, with some great alternative places to refuel.