Helicopter in Barley Field

Short walk down to and along Beech Bottom dyke then through Soot Springs wood where we again saw this helicopter parked in a field of barley by the wood.

Childwickbury Rhododendroms

A circular walk from Batchwood Hall car park across the golf course and around he wood to the footpath that goes through Hawkswick Lodge fruit farm and out left along Harpenden Road, then along School Lane to Childwickbury.

School Lane is lined with enormous Rhododendron bushes which were covered in flowers - white mauve, purple, pink and red.

River Ver at How Wood

Another hot day to enjoy How Wood and to walk along the River Ver.

There were clumps of yellow Iris growing along the river and edging the ponds

Marsworth Grand Union Reservoir

Tuesday 19 May was a beautiful hot day and we weren't the only people to visit the Tring Reservoirs at Marsworth.

Since last year a lot of  undergrowth had been cleared, leaving open views of the lakes, but taking away mystery and surprises given by glimpses through breaks in the vegetation.

Weekend Wines

Friday 15 May
with penne, cherry tomato & basil sauce with crispy grilled aubergine slices and mixed salad 
2018 Casa Vinicola The Wine Society's Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Italy, Abruzzio)
bought from TWS.

Saturday 16 May
with Waitrose southern fried chicken goujons, boiled potatoes and home made spicy baked beans
2016 Del Gatto Estates Pinotage Odyssey (Canada, Ontario, Prince Edward County VQA)
Bought from winery


Sunday 17 May
Aperitif
N.V. Pongrácz Methode Cap Classique Cuvée Brut (South Africa, Western Cape)
Bought from Amazon.

with roast beef, roast parsnip and potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, steamed cauliflower, carrots, & brocolli, and gravy
2013 Ernie Els Proprietor's Blend (South Africa,  Stellenbosch)
Bought from winery.

We have TWS Montepulciano every time we have pasta, which is most weeks.

Pongracz comes in a lovely shaped bottle that won’t fit in racks or stack on its side. In the Cape we buy half-bottles for aperitifs from the winery. Unfortunately this year the winery restaurant was closed and will reopen as a pizza and Italian, something which there is no lack of in the Cape. Shame, we enjoyed going there. Every table is set with Champagne glasses because the wine list has about 15 sparkling wines and only one token still red and white wine from another winery. Luckily we can get bottles here from Amazon.

Another disappointment this year was the Ernie Els winery was still closed, sadly they are changing the tasting room and installing a new gourmet restaurant with a ‘name’ chef. The 2013 Proprietors Blend blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Shiraz, 5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot

Footpath to Nashes Farm

Good lockdown walk through Jersey Farm Woodland Park, joining Jersey Lane then across field to House Lane then up hill on this sunken footpath to Nashes Farm, before coming down again, through Jersey Farm Open Space and home via Jersey Lane.

Last walk on Batchwood Golf Course

Golf courses can open from Wednesday 13 May as part of the gradual lockdown lifting, so we took the opportunity for a last walk over Batchwood Golf Course. The day was brisk but beautifully sunny and as the afternoon wore on the wind dropped.

View over countryside from golf course

Weekend Wines

Friday 8 May

shared with neighbours at VE-75 street party. We all brought chairs to the pavement outside our house while the kiddies ran around squirting each other with water pistols

N.V. Hush Heath Estate Balfour 1503 England, Kent
Traditional method & grapes, bought from Majestic.

with plaice, boiled pots, peas and mixed salad
2019 Ara Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand, Marlborough
bought from Waitrose.

Saturday 9 May

with Waitrose southern fried chicken goujons, boiled potatoes and home made spicy baked beans

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2017 Le Vin De François (South Africa, Stellenbosch/Tulbagh)

Sunday 10 May

Aperitif
N.V. Antoine de Clevecy Champagne (France, Champagne)
Bought from Sainsbury

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with roast chicken, roast parsnip and potatoes, steamed cauliflower, carrots, & pointed cabbage, and gravy
2018 Once & Future Wine Zinfandel Oakley Road Vineyard ( California, Contra Costa County)
Bought from TWS.

Weekend Wines

Friday is International Sauvignon Blanc Day so a savvie  (well would have had it anyway) and a sparkling savvie on Sunday.

Friday 1 May
with plaice, boiled pots, peas and mixed salad
2019 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin (New Zealand, Marlborough
bought from Majestic.

For the weekend all the wines come from South Africa.

Saturday 2 May

with Waitrose southern fried chicken goujons, boiled potatoes and home made spicy baked beans
2011 Spier Pinotage 21 Gables Private Collection (South Africa, Stellenbosch)
bought from winery

Sunday 3 May
Aperitif
N.V. Steenberg Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc (South Africa, Western Cape)
Traditional method, bought from M&S

with roast lamb, roast parsnip and potatoes, steamed cauliflower, carrots, & broccoli, mint sauce and gravy

2001 Vergelegen Vergelegen (South Africa, Stellenbosch)
Bordeaux blend, bought from Tesco many years ago