Now our focus shifts fully into summer and there’s plenty to look forward to over the coming months. One of the true signs of the season arriving is the return of the wonderful strawberries from Chew Valley, which are now in full flow and tasting every bit as good as you’d hope. Meanwhile, Kate’s Market Garden here on the farm is beginning to properly come alive. Alongside her excellent salad leaves and herb bags, we’ll soon be seeing tomatoes, peppers and courgettes making their way into the shop and kitchen as the warmer weeks roll on.
Our Pizza Nights are also now back in full swing, with June’s evening taking place on Friday 5th June. Weather permitting, there are few better places to spend a summer evening than on the terrace with a freshly made pizza, a couple of sundowners and the sun slowly dropping over the paddock.
Continuing that summer spirit, we’ll also be hosting our Summer Solstice Supper Club on 18th June. This will be a slightly smaller and more intimate evening, with our chefs showcasing some of the very best produce coming out of Kate’s garden alongside expertly cooked barbecue dishes from the Big Green Eggs. It should be a lovely way to celebrate the longest days of the year.
The Secret Garden and paddock are also looking particularly beautiful right now. Whether it’s a quiet coffee and a book in the sunshine, or a family picnic stretched out on the grass, it’s a lovely place to while away a few hours. In fact, we’ve recently launched our Ploughman’s Picnic Boxes, which can be pre-ordered online and collected fresh from the deli — ideal for an easy summer lunch outdoors.
Whatever your plans are over the coming months, I hope the sun shines for you and that summer gives us all a few opportunities to slow down, gather outdoors and enjoy the simple things well.