Here we go again

Hi all, we're back! We opened yesterday for the start of the new season, with the garden opening officially on Saturday, 30th March. It has to be said this is the first time we have been open in Spring with snow on the ground. I had a walk around the garden today and it is looking very beautiful with snow caps on the yew hedges, Hellebores in abundance and some serious winter pruning in evidence on Bottom Terrace.

Do come and visit us soon, we've some delicious new dishes on the menu and we are looking forward to seeing you all.

Its the final countdown

The temperature, whilst never achieving any dizzying heights this summer, has taken a decided turn down the thermometer. Yesterday morning saw a light frost on the yew hedges (which are currently undergoing their annual trim). The sky was as azure as it could be and the light perfectly dappled through the trees. I love the early morning light at this time of the year and in Spring, so took the opportunity to have a walk round the garden and take some photographs. I have over the years taken so many pictures of Renishaw Hall and Gardens, when I look through them they bring back such lovely memories.

Last weekend we hosted a 50th Wedding Anniversary lunch for Guy and Doris. Guy has been a volunteer here ever since the doors were first opened and has many a tale to tell. Guy very kindly gave us a bottle of his homemade wine which was delicious. He and Sir Reresby used to trade bottles annually and Lady Sitwell even once suggested it could be sold in the shop it was so nice. Guy enters his wine into Froggatt Show and regularly gets placed. If you ever see a drop of Watson's Winery I recommend it to you. Pictured is the table set with Dame Edith watching over proceedings, anyone got a birthday or anniversary they'd like to celebrate with us just get in touch - gallerycaterers@hotmail.co.uk

It's the time of year when there is a glut of lovely homegrown fruit and veg, this last fortnight I have been making runner bean chutney which I think is quite yummy. I've also made some runner bean piccalilli which I shall subject Adrian to over the winter, as I said there's a lot of them around and he did once mention he liked piccalilli!

Yorkshire parkin, that's a cake that brings back loads of childhood memories for me. I remember my mum baking it, generally around Halloween, it was sticky and dark and delicious. As the weather has cooled I thought it would make a nice warming addition to the cake range so a slightly less sticky version is adorning the cake stands and selling well. Could become a regular feature next year. I might subject Adrian to gluten free testing on it. He always says he's in charge of quality control!

Anyway, it's our penultimate weekend and as always it is very sad. This weekend and next all our lovely regular customers appear to say goodbye and wish us Merry Christmas. I'm often asked what I do over the winter - housework should be the answer. There is a need to reclaim the house from the spiders who have slowly moved in over the summer. This year I've asked the question back of those people whose faces we see at the same time on the same day each week - one or two have asked for our address!! Do sign up to the blog by email and we'll be in touch over the winter. You never know we might just open up one Sunday morning - by invitation only of course!

Take care all, do call and see us before the 30th September.

Lou & Adrian

Caution: Man at work

What a lovely month August has been, unless my memory is failing me it seemed to be pretty much wall to wall sunshine. Here's hoping the lovely weather continues well into October. The heavy rain early in the season has done wonders for the garden although its not all good news, my pear tree hasn't got a single fruit on it which I am assuming is due to the rain. I do so love pear and chocolate sponge too. Oh well, there's always next year.

As with all small businesses, it tends to be the case that everyone has to muck in and just do what needs doing. Of course there are certain jobs that we just leave to Adrian mainly cooking (best plan all round) and emptying the bins at the end of the day, conversely there are jobs that Adrian leaves to the rest of us however, I caught him the other day definitely doing one of 'our' jobs, perhaps he is a 'new' man after all despite his years!

Its hard to believe we've only got 3 weekends left of the season. I had a customer wish me 'Happy Christmas' as she left yesterday in case she didn't see me again. How lovely, but makes you realise how quickly time passes, and nudge nudge, you've only got 3 weekends left to visit.

Over the winter break, I hope to develop a full website for the cafe, I'll have the blog on there, recipes and information for individual visitors and groups and goodness only knows what else. Once it is up and running I'll post the address here. So, as the saying goes, watch this space.

Bye for now.
Lou x

Supermarket Tarts

Tuesday evening saw Morrisons closing at 6.00pm to reopen on Thursday morning at 7.00am. Shoppers in Christmas proportions were out and about panic buying and stocking up on those essentials you can't manage one day without - joints of beef and lamb mainly I think.  I couldn't face it "I'm off to Sainsbury" I tell Adrian. "Sainsbury, but we're a Morrisons family", he replies. "I've got a voucher" I mutter. That afternoon Adrian announces he needs Champagne for work but can't face Morrisons. "Go to Tesco" says I, "I've got a voucher". Adrian returns brandishing Champagne, rib-eye steaks and a jolly nice bottle of red wine. "All this for £20" he crows. Yesterday morning I received my nectar rewards from Saisnbury, "You're a bit of a supermarket tart really aren't you" Adrian said as he snatched the vouchers from my hands. Talking of tarts, he does say the sweetest things.

Chocolate Brownie Slice hit the cake stands this week but didn't hang around long enough to be photographed, although I did make another on Friday evening for Dave K (Head Gardener) and his missus oh, and his Lordship of course. Think it might become a regular feature next season along with my mate Dave's gluten free honeycake which is simply to die for. Anyway, back to the here and now I'm wishing my life away.

Adrian on a recent day off

We only have 4 weekends left of this season, I do not know where this year has gone. We've had a good season in spite of the weather, thanks as much as anything to our regular customers. We are very grateful for your patronage particularly when we see so many business premises up for sale and to let. The garden also has benefited from all the rain we've had and is looking lush and lovely. It has to be said though we are very ready for a rest and starting to have some thoughts about a holiday.

Do come and see us before the end of the season, hopefully we're going to have an Indian summer and September will be glorious.

Take care all.
Lou x

Imagine...

Imagine driving up the drive to Renishaw Hall, crossing the cattle grid and being met by the sight of 6 fire engines, a control tent, several smaller vehicles and numerous firemen! Oh imagine.  That is exactly the sight that greeted me on Tuesday morning. Momentarily I was freaked as I could see water pouring from hoses at an angle that looked like it was aimed at the roof, however I was soon pacified by a lovely young fireman who showed me where to park the car and assured me it was just a training exercise.

Imagine the Mercian Vineyards Association hold their Annual Wine Challenge at Renishaw Hall, where they are tasting over 80 wines and on departure leave you a dozen bottles to sample. We were lucky enough to be the recipients of such a gesture of the MVA on Sunday last. We're having enormous fun sniffing, sipping and swirling but, no spitting out. I'm a bit of a wine snob really, believing quite firmly when it comes to wine and food nobody does it better than the French however, one or two of the English wines have surprised me. For example this evening with our cheese we have sampled the Penny Red from the Halfpenny Green Vineyard, it wasn't pleasing my taste buds but add some Camembert and it was rocking. Interestingly Kieron Atkinson, The Vineyard Manager at Renishaw, recently won a Bronze Medal for his still white wine at the UK Vineyards Association Wine Awards - big up to Kieron. This award-winning wine is available to buy in the cafe or the shop at Renishaw.

Imagine living in a country that in the year its Queen celebrates 60 years on the throne it also hosts the best ever Olympic games. Well, no imagining necessary - we do! I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the Olympics even stopping up to watch both the opening and closing ceremonies, which for someone who goes to bed at 9pm most nights is pretty unbelievable.

Imagine the dark days of winter when Renishaw is not open, it's only 6 weeks away - come on, come visit before we close up for winter. I can't promise firemen, but I can promise a warm welcome.

Be good to see you
Lou x

Falling in love again

For the last three years the garden has, to me, felt a little melancholy, almost as if it was missing Sir Reresby - I'm a little fanciful like that - however, I managed a quick walk around the garden this week. Wow! Whether it is the weather or whether the garden is coming out of mourning I don't know, but it really took my breath away and I fell in love with it all over again. I love the opening up of the entry to the garden and there are some beautiful plants in this area, the changes on top lawn give a feeling of a few more acres and the lowering of the hedge in the secret garden to give the view down to the lakes is fantastic and, I have a whole new 'must have' list of plants for my own already overstocked garden. Of course, reality is, that a new owner is breathing new life into her garden and it is wonderful.

A few years ago I went on 5 days of customer awareness training. One day of the course was dedicated to trying to understand why a customer might be a little grumpy. This involved having split peas in your shoes, wearing sunglasses smeared with vaseline, earplugs and rubber gloves with the fingers stuff with cotton wool. The aim of the exercise was to give you some idea of what some of your customers, unbeknownst to you, might be experiencing, which may in turn explain their 'mood'. I think I can say we (and speak for all of us in the café) have had to draw on this training several times in the last few weeks. There have been a number of people with split peas in their shoes. Like the woman who wanted Pheasant Pithivier but didn't want to wait! In the past I have heard people remark in different settings that service in shops/restaurants in the UK is not as good as on the continent, knowing that we all try really hard in the café I would counter that and suggest that maybe as customers we have a lot to learn, staff can have split pea filled shoes too. The customer isn't necessarily always right but customer service training dictates that you can't tell the customer what you're really thinking ergo the customer gets the last word.

The sunshine yesterday brought out lots of familiar faces which was lovely. What a shame the summer is not quite barbecue hot. Fingers crossed we'll have an Indian summer to make up for it. I'm having a day off today and on the top of my 'to do list' is mow the lawn.  Not this week!

See you soon

Lou x

Keep the faith

Several coach parties aside, the next few weeks at Renishaw are relatively quiet with the exception of the launch of Lorraine Botterill's sculpture exhibition in the gardens. The exhibition launches on Sunday 1st July with Lorraine doing demonstrations and talks about her work. for further information contact the office on 01246 432310.

A quick update for those who were informed by Adrian about 'Jar Gate', a package arrived today addressed to The Manageress, Gallery Cafe etc. etc., seems I've had a promotion as Adrian gave it to me to open. Inside were my jars along with an anonymous note saying the contents had been so nice and in such large proportions they had decided to finish them at home. No names no apologies. How very bizarre! This little act has restored my faith in human nature once more and I am again at one with the world.

Cheesecake this weeks is Rhubarb & Ginger and it's selling fast. It is a classic combination, the chutney I made earlier this season has flown out. I've a little more Rhubarb in the garden to go at so might make another batch.

On Monday we celebrated Adrian's 50th birthday with a little trip into Sheffield to see the Olympic torch followed by a few beers and a meal with friends. We were a merry party of 14 and it was lovely to meet up with some customers out for the experience too. We rarely venture into the big city but always bump into customers which is really lovely particularly in the depths of winter.

 Finally, my planned red, white and blue front garden has finally flowered, yes I know the jubilee is now a distant memory but here it is anyway.

Come and say hello, it would be lovely to see you.
 Lou x