Somerset

Hello lovelies!

As promised, a rather tardy post about my lovely (if somewhat watery) break in Somerset. It involved...

- Reading: "Toast" by Nigel Slater. 

One of my all-time favourite things about visiting my Aunt & Uncle (besides the food and, you know, them) is their collection of books. Shelves upon shelves of novels waiting to be picked up and devoured whilst curled up in front of a roaring fire, hearing the rain hitting the windows and drinking cups of proper coffee. Heaven. 

I'd already seen the film, and found the book to be even better. I found it to be a very nostalgic read, despite the fact Slater's childhood was definitely more my parents' era than mine. And, let's be honest, a book divided into chapters based around food was always going to be a winner for me, wasn't it?!

- Exploring: Linmouth and Linton
We stomped around Linmouth to warm up our feet in the very wintery weather. I felt rather sorry for Linmouth, in it's ramshackle state at the edge of the sea. 

We risked life and limb to photograph the incoming tide, which came in much more quickly than we'd anticipated! Thank God for wellies!

Linton is joined to it's twin sister town Linmouth by cable car, and hugs the crumbling cliff-top for dear life. 

Linton sits so high up, it seemed to be stuck in a time warp (bearing in mind it was February...)

- Baking: Mary Berry's Lemon Fork Biscuits 

A super simple recipe from Mary Berry's Baking Bible, with only four ingredients. They were pretty tasty, but nowhere near as good as the oaty ones my aunt made; they were like the superhero alter-egos of HobNobs. Nom.

- Adventuring

We visited several places during our week away, but the hands-down favourite (and my new favourite National Trust property of all time) was Knightshayes Court. An incredible homage to Gothic architecture, crammed with stories of mystery, discovery, and hilarity. We spent hours exploring every nook and cranny open to the public, and spoke to some truly inspiring volunteers and staff working there. 

Big, fancy house

There were lots of cool wicker sculptures dotted about the grounds, made by a local artist. 

This carrot in the kitchen gardens reminded me of Sideshow Bob. 

My best ninja sneak-attack

Trying to steal a super fancy plant pot. My Pretend Heavy Lifting face is the only reason I have yet to enter Mr Universe. It wouldn't be fair on the other contestants if I won every year.

- Self-Portraiting: With Tom's new camera kit 

It's very rare for us to be able to snap a picture of us together that isn't an arms-length, weirdly-stretched-cheek affair, because one of us is normally behind the camera. We made good use of Tom's new self-timer on this trip and snapped plenty of pics of our silliness; sitting on the wall at the end of Linmouth harbour. 

Having a dance. I spend most of my time having a dance to be honest.

- Eating

Steaming bowls of porridge topped with stewed plums and raspberry jam. Mountains of home-made quiche. Rustic salad with balsamic vinegar and walnut oil. Halloumi-topped veggie lasagne, risotto packed with a whole forest of mushrooms, and piles of cheese-smothered chilli. Hearty bowlfuls of Moroccan rice pudding, ice-cream scooped onto rhubarb & date crumble, and at least six types of breakfast. Deep-fried halloumi and chips, plate-sized Yorkshire puddings with puddles of gravy, and squares of midnight black chocolate..... 

Needless to say, my jeans don't really fit at the moment, but it was totally worth it. 

- Discovering

Old-fashioned steam railways, steep-as-can-be cliffs, and magical rivers (where some of us pretended to be garden gnomes....).

- Drinking: Home made Sloe Gin

Why did no-one tell me that Sloe Gin tastes like plum wine (which, in turn, tastes like boozy Dr Pepper)?! It's the only reason I go to Wagamamas!! 

A delicious mocha at Hundred Monkeys Cafe in Glastonbury (our stop-off on the way)

Have you been to Somerset? Or are you lucky enough to live there? We'll definitely be heading back so please do share your favourite places to go!

Katie xxx