Even though the British summer has been predictably unpredictable, the patchy weather hasn't put us off pitching our tent and spending some weekends under canvas. Our favourite, family-friendly campsite within easy driving distance is Palace Farm, near Faversham in Kent. Among its many plus points are the wide open spaces between tents for kids to run around, the various farm animals (goats, chickens, etc) that children find fascinating, and for adults the chance to hire a fire pit and enjoy some al fresco BBQ food, marshmallow toasting and cheap red wine drinking under starry skies.
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| Ruth keeps the home fires burning |
Another favourite camping spot of ours is the Plantation, a magical clearing in the woods on Ruth's Grandad's farm that has become home to an annual gathering of the clan. The Plantation has an extra special place in our hearts as it was home to our wedding reception in August 2005, when we arrived on the stubble field by helicopter and enjoyed a wonderful evening in a marquee with 150 people.
This year, after Ruth heroically spent an hour strimming the grass while I set up camp, we all enjoyed a beer on the stubble field in the evening sun, with Rosie holding court. Once Rosie had settled down to bed in the tent, I took over BBQ duties from Ruth's brother Sim, inexpertly flipping chicken, sausages and Mexican spiced pork for 9 people. As ever, we were blessed with an evening of great food, a roaring log fire, huge starry sky, red wine & whisky. Pretty much perfect.
We also took advantage of our proximity to the Norfolk Broads, with a boating trip along the River Yare from Coltishall to the Rising Sun pub in Wroxham. We didn't quite make it all the way as Rosie got a bit too restless in the canoe, so after a picnic on the riverbank we walked the last leg and met the rest of the party at the Rising Sun pub, where a pint of Woodforde's Wherry was in order. Despite some menacing clouds we managed to stay dry, although a local rained our parade with a whinge about us pulling out canoes on community-owned land, which raised the ire of some members of our party. Norfolk can seem very parochial at times.
That evening a familiar procession of BBQ, beers, marshmallows and whisky ensued, but this time we ate in a huddle overlooking Stiffkey marshes, following a spot of cockling. We also enjoyed presenting Sim with a Sainsbury's Basics hamper for his birthday. On the Sunday, we had a wonderful 3-course lunch cooked by Ruth's cousin Zoe and friend Suman, starting with cockles, mussels and samphire, followed by a joint of beef with roasted veg, and finished off with tarte tatin. Rosie also enjoyed hanging out with her great-grandfather and Willy the dog, but soon it was time for goodbyes, and we were lucky to have a sunkissed and traffic-light journey home to London.
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| Rosie dines on the stubble field |
This year, after Ruth heroically spent an hour strimming the grass while I set up camp, we all enjoyed a beer on the stubble field in the evening sun, with Rosie holding court. Once Rosie had settled down to bed in the tent, I took over BBQ duties from Ruth's brother Sim, inexpertly flipping chicken, sausages and Mexican spiced pork for 9 people. As ever, we were blessed with an evening of great food, a roaring log fire, huge starry sky, red wine & whisky. Pretty much perfect.
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| A beer to celebrate 6 years of marriage |
We also took advantage of our proximity to the Norfolk Broads, with a boating trip along the River Yare from Coltishall to the Rising Sun pub in Wroxham. We didn't quite make it all the way as Rosie got a bit too restless in the canoe, so after a picnic on the riverbank we walked the last leg and met the rest of the party at the Rising Sun pub, where a pint of Woodforde's Wherry was in order. Despite some menacing clouds we managed to stay dry, although a local rained our parade with a whinge about us pulling out canoes on community-owned land, which raised the ire of some members of our party. Norfolk can seem very parochial at times.
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| Rosie chilling by the Rising Sun |
That evening a familiar procession of BBQ, beers, marshmallows and whisky ensued, but this time we ate in a huddle overlooking Stiffkey marshes, following a spot of cockling. We also enjoyed presenting Sim with a Sainsbury's Basics hamper for his birthday. On the Sunday, we had a wonderful 3-course lunch cooked by Ruth's cousin Zoe and friend Suman, starting with cockles, mussels and samphire, followed by a joint of beef with roasted veg, and finished off with tarte tatin. Rosie also enjoyed hanging out with her great-grandfather and Willy the dog, but soon it was time for goodbyes, and we were lucky to have a sunkissed and traffic-light journey home to London.
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| Paul mans the BBQ at Stiffkey |
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