Paul & tess

Fresh from the farm

In anticipation of my Sunday lunch guests, I had walked with Otis down Magdalen Road to get inspiration from the little shops that dotted the street.  Shops such as, Budgens grocer, St. Leonard’s Bakery, Bon Gout Delicatessen, Smith’s Wine & Spirits, Ben’s Farm Shop, The Common Beaver Coffee shop, Magdalen Cheese & Provisions & Gibson’s Quality Fish Mongers.  Honestly, the street is my heaven.

I decided to put together a cold lunch of charcuterie style plough-mans fare: artisan salami & cheeses, fresh fruit, good crackers, nuts & devilled eggs + I made a lovely pasta salad as I had an abundance of fresh basil leaves & needed something hearty as Paul isn’t a small man & I hated for anyone to go hungry.  Bustling around the kitchen that morning had me glowing.

Paul & Tess arrived just before noon & again, it was just like I met them both for tea last week.  They brought a cooler packed full of goodies with them from their farm!  Yay me!!  Cold smoked bream fish, turkey & duck eggs, fresh baked grainy sourdough loaf, scones with morning fresh clotted cream, smoked mayonnaise & two bottles of wine!  Gee…foodie farm friends make the best friends!  We fell into easy conversation & my highly anticipated guests left after a 5.5 hour visit we sorely had to tear ourselves away from. Our conversation ran the gamut…food, family, politics, farming…never a loss for words.

Brilliantly, Paul & Tess secured tickets to Tuesday’s sitting at The River Exe Cafe lunch for us & they’re swinging around to grab me that day for the one hour journey down to catch the boat out to the seasonal restaurant.  They told me that the custom-built restaurant barge floats well offshore in the Exe Estuary & offers a wide range of locally sourced food & drink with amazing views from the water.  I couldn’t be more excited if I tried!

I’ll let you know how it goes, but Paul thinks there will be fresh shucked oysters! Be still my beating heart!!!