The day dawned clear and gradually the garden filled with golden light….and great anticipation…
Armfuls of winter flowering amaranth, elder, escallonia and fruiting olive were cut in the early morning chill, for a loose arrangement in the Dairy.
The tables in the Hayshed were set for lunch (despite having three seasons of weather before anyone arrived!). Fortunately, our attendees were a stoic lot….
A little something to whet the appetite before the concert – my Chestnut Flour, Rosemary, Raisin & Pine Nut Cake, and Clementine segments from the garden; as well as the last of this season’s Elderflower Cordial.
Our wonderful musicians tuned their instruments and then…
They played a repertoire to make our spirits soar! While a log fire cracked & sizzled at the far end of the Dairy, Kirsty Hilton (Violin), Jacqueline Cronin (Viola), Timothy Nankervis (Cello) and Shefali Pryor (Oboe), played with great passion through Edwards, Haydn, Britten and Mozart. It was simply the most enormous treat for everyone in the room and their energetic performance met with resounding applause.
And then it was off to the Hayshed for Eon’s delicious, nourishing, warming winter fare….
But after photographing the soup, I’m afraid I simply got too distracted talking to our delightful guests to pick up my camera! I’m so sorry….the lamb tagine was studded with jewel-like pomegranate and the warm apple cake with cardamom syrup & dollops of cream were, by all accounts, scrumptious!
A big thank you to Leta Keens without whom this day would never have got off the ground; to our magnificent musicians for brightening a chill winters day, and to Eon for producing a sensational lunch. What a fun and uplifting way to spend a winter Sunday! Watch this space for a spring/summer version….