British Bonanza

Andrew’s dad was back in England for a few weeks so we decided that while Mum and Kati were in Italy we would head back across the water and see the more mature Worthing couple.  We flew in Friday night and back out Sunday night so it was quick but good.

On Friday night Liz presented me with a bundle of goodies that she had salvaged from Mike’s aunt’s house in Wales when they were cleaning it out.  Have a gander at these goodies, aren’t they beautiful?

On Saturday morning Andrew went for a run and I dawdled along behind with the camera.  It was so nice to walk along the water, not fighting the crowds and able to chat with the few friendly locals out for a stroll.

In the afternoon we went PYO.  Pick Your Own.  Fruit that is, not your nose.  We picked raspberries, blackberries, loganberries, blackcurrants and strawberries.  It was the perfect English summer’s day, a light breeze, a huge sky, sunshine and berries everywhere.  We ended up with stained hands, a few stained tongues, prickles in our fingers and about 6 kilos of berries, mmmm.

We detoured via Sainsbury’s on the way home so I could stock up on essentials like salt and vinegar chips and bicarb soda.  

Sarah came in late that evening on the train so we picked her up and headed home for fresh berries and cream, heaven.  And I gave Sarah the latest of my crafty endeavours, this bag lined with fabric she had found and sent over for me.

On Sunday morning Andrew and I made pancakes with berry compote for breakfast and then we piled into the car and headed to the local farmers market.  It was such a great little market with fresh breads, all sorts of jams, pickles and relishes, freshly made sausages with great sounding ingredients, locally grown fruit and veg and lots of other delicious looking stuff.  

I loved the guy selling these pork and stilton pies and game pies, good English Worthing food!  

We went to church with Mike while Liz prepared lunch at home and then we all sat down to Omani lamb, mmmm again.  More berries with meringue and cream after that.  I can officially say that no, you can’t ever have too many berries.  I’ve tried my best and have yet to succeed.  

Andrew and his mum boiled up gallons of jam in the afternoon and then we headed back to Amsterdam with our bags full of crimson-filled jars.  We flew both ways on fairly small planes and I know have a new-found love, watching the wheels.  Strange but true.  We flew all over the Netherlands before landing, it was fantastic to have my nose pressed against the window spotting windmills and flower fields and yachts in full sail.  And now we’re home. I’m back into the business of being on holidays for another week and Andrew is back at work.  Someone has to pay for our European jaunts!