This week we've had to demolish our 8 x 6 foot garden shed and dispose of it before our new one arrives, and is constructed, on Monday so we took a much needed break and escaped from all the toil at home as we've had enough of muck and mess. This was the perfect little, relaxing, trip to fit the bill.
I realised my lavender plants are in full bloom so it was a reminder to visit Inglenook Farm in Rainford, near St Helens and Liverpool, to enjoy the fields of lavender before they are shortly harvested. This farm produces the only organic lavender in UK and I love the oils and other products that they make and sell there.
There are several shops on the farm selling a variety of products and it is slowly expanding it's range.
There are several animals to see...a donkey, sheep, goats and chucks.
Check it out here as it is well worth a visit for a short trip, an afternoon or just for a good lunch.
There are several varieties of lavender and I had never before seen this one with it's long thin flowers.
I think this will be a smile to post on Annie's blog, although I'm late for Friday, it's good enough to share.
Pop over to see more here for week no 77
Here are a few things to see around the farm...
It's amazing to see these wood sculptures being carved in the woodyard and this eagle is as tall as me.
The owl is about 4 feet tall
This is a cross section of a tree that had to be felled due to storm damage and shows history through it's growth rings.
They now have a small local history museum showing many local artifacts, most were found in the farm fields around Rainford.
Tiny fragments of porcelain including dolls limbs, ornaments etc., and that little leg at the bottom was around 1 inch in length.
The chucks wander freely and I loved this fine fellow who was quite an amusing character.
The wise ones were around our feet waiting for crumbs from our meal but the management was wiser and requested us not to feed them.
We were aghast when DH's home made steak pie arrived as it was so HUGE! It reminded me of Desperate Dan and his cow pie in my childhood comics!
I ordered fish and chips from the children's menu and it was still too much for me. The chips are hiding under the crispy fish and there was tartare sauce too. The green pile is mushy peas, which I love.
Everything is fresh cooked and has always been delicious each time we've visited.
We will probably return on Sunday for the monthly Artisan Fair.
22 comments:
You're never too late to join in Jo....any time during the week is fine with me. I just post mine on a Friday to start and end a week ;-)
Love the lavender and only said to Dod on our way out from town this morning that it must have been a good year for it cos there is a lot of amazing bushes around at the mo. We took load 30 to the tip this morning!!!
Hugs,
Annie x
ps want to pick your brains sometime about quick fabric makes for us to use up the gifted bags full of fabric :-)
Hi Jo
I love the look of that pie lol....I was thinking of the farm the other day as we saw lots of lavender on our hols in Whitby/Scarborough....must make the effort this year for a visit. Hope the bathroom is done now lol.
Tilly x
Hullo Jo... I adore lavender.. we've been to the lavender farm in Tasmania so know what you are talking about.
The long thin flowering plants was called English lavender by my landlady and I made lavender umbrellas wirh them by weaving them. You collect an odd number of storks bend them in tied just under flower then weave ribbon around them covering the flowers into the inside as you go.. am sure you could find a pattern then put in drawers as moth repellent. Love Shaz. Could email a photo if still have one. Shaz in Oz x
I thought at first you had taken us to France when I saw the gorgeous lavender plants Jo! How wonderful that there is an organic lavender plant so close by. Those wood carvings are fantastic too. Hugs, Anne xx
Goodness, lived all those years in St. Helens and never knew this place existed. Looks fascinating, must put it on my 'to do' list, x
what a cracking day out! the size of those dinner portions is incredible!!
It was my lavender shortbread that reminded you to go!!! Here is the link by the way: http://www.countrywives.co.uk/mary-berry-lavender-shortbread-biscuits/
xx
Beautiful lavender pics - wish I had smell-o-web and could smell them through the internet!
Thanks for the smiles
Laura
Oooo Jo. I can almost smell the lavender. Maybe that is cos I have some outside my window!
I love those chooks and want that Rooster sign on the door.
Just had a peep at your quilt below. It is gorgeous. I do like a bit of hand work.
Hugs
xx
Hi jo I could almost smell that lavender and the fish and chips a fragrant post indeed and great pictures.
I will happily send you done poppy seeds they aren't ready yet but as soon as they are I will send you some.
Have a good week and hope the shed goes up ok
Janet
Hi Jo...I can smell that lavender, I love it...and what an interesting place and yummy food. Congrats also on finishing your quilts, it's beautiful, all by hand and now you're going to make another, wonderful. Cheers and happy smiling Friday and the weekend Robyn
It sounds like you have had a wonderful day filled with beautiful smells and a delicacy of gourmet delight and now you have made me hungry for mushy peas, I love them too.
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs Eliza
I'd like to know about quick fabric makes too please Jo xx
Hi Annie xx
I thought it was France too Anne x
Thanks for sharing this Jo, it looks a great place.
Good luck with the shed, hope it goes up quicker than the 6 hours it took us to put up Mum's xx
I have this on my To Do list as I love Lavender - I know it has a bit of a bad rep for being an "old ladies" fragrance but I find the scent heavenly. I often have a lavender pillow to help me sleep and I found a lavender cake recipe the other day. Seeing photos of your trip out has reminded me I must go one day :) Hope it was the perfect antidote for you both as a getaway from all the work going on at home.
I have this on my To Do list as I love Lavender - I know it has a bit of a bad rep for being an "old ladies" fragrance but I find the scent heavenly. I often have a lavender pillow to help me sleep and I found a lavender cake recipe the other day. Seeing photos of your trip out has reminded me I must go one day :) Hope it was the perfect antidote for you both as a getaway from all the work going on at home.
Fab post Jo - I can smell that lavender - or it might just be the bags I have just finished!! Looks like the perfect day out AND that pie! Yum yum! x Jo
I bet those fields of lavender smelt gloriously, were the bees drowsy? Beautiful wood carvings, so very clever. I have some of those irons which I actually use to do my ironing!!! Although another one is used as a doorstop. Hope they supply doggy bags :)
Lynn x
Hello Jo - that looks like a really super day out. Really interesting and the meals are amazing. I love lavender as well.
Your quilt in your previous post is just beautiful.
Thank you for your kind comments on my blog - you are very kind. I am going to send with Hermes. Use them recently to send some fabric I had to a lady making items for children in Africa. Anne x
Hi Jo,
You may thought you were late in joining in but I'm just now being able to visit! It looks like you had a great day - so glad you told me what the green stuff is. Being from New Mexico it reminded me of guacamole but I knew that was not right! tee hee. Smashed peas sound good.
If you made it back over the weekend you'll have to share with us.
Hugs,
Kay
It looks like you have had a great day, Jo. Love the lavender pictures and the wood carvings are fantastic.
Have a sunny weekend!
Hugs,
Gaby
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