Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!
– Robin Williams
Oh, how I agree Mr Williams. Now that we are truly in the midst of Spring Awakening the joys of this season are everywhere, if you look for them. Whether it be the height of the dawn chorus this past Sunday, trees treating us to their soft blossom & beautiful sticky buds or crops of Asparagus quickly making their star turn for the year.
A time of year to really start those tastebuds tingling for the fresh flavours of Summer we have all been missing. And as ever at this time of year the Larder’s mind has turned to picnics.
The journey of picnics coming to be part of the Larder’s repertoire was a very organic process and perhaps foolishly so, not something that was planned during conception of the Larder offer. When I look back now I can’t quite believe that I didn’t initially connect the dots.
Of course we should offer picnics!
And why I hear you ask?
Well I’ll tell you!
I love picnics, a million memories of picnics throughout my life from idyllic beach scenes, to damp tables, covered in a rain poncho at a theme park to service stations on the way to Grandmas. I think its something we all share in Britain particularly, the tradition of packing a picnic and taking it on an adventure.
There was a really charming spot in Henley, quite wonderfully referred to ‘Mum’s Bum’. Andre, Olivier and I shared several lovely picnics there as a trio and with friends. I remember in particular heading there on my birthday during Lockdown and feeling that level of love and care and joy in the putting together of that picnic and then the enjoyment of eating it of course!
Perhaps it was then that picnics really came into focus for The Henley Larder, this has only just occurred as I write this.
And while the offer has evolved over time and indeed is different once again this year one thing has remained the same. The use of delicious produce from the Larder collection. Not all picnics are created equally and I have often questioned my sanity when I have been painstakingly making fingers sandwiches or getting up at 5am to handmake tartlets but ultimately to me it’s worth it. Good food is always worth extra time and effort. And what’s even better? I can give you the service of doing that hard work for you :)
So with our Henley Regatta picnic offer for the Friday and Saturday of the event already up online to order – get ordering - I am now deep in thought about picnics to have over the Summer in Bideford.
Due to the nature of having a small shop I need to get creative with how I can provide the best picnic possible from a small space and also create a picnic that serves the purpose needed for here. Namely to be the best beach picnic ever! So what does that look like?
A customer came in on a day that I was selling or now infamous Friday muffins and watched as I wrapped it in a parcel of parchment paper. “Just like the Famous Five” she said. Now you’re talking! I was a huge fan of the Famous Five as a child and its only just really occurred to me that many of their adventures were here in Devon & Cornwall. Lots of rock-pooling and searches for Timmy the Dog in caves.
Sandwiches tied with string, lashings of ginger beer and rock buns.
I think I feel a picnic concept coming along nicely. Nostalgia, mixed with high quality ingredients, mixed with joy.
As another nostalgic blast from my childhood TV watching past Pa Larkin from the darling Buds of May would say – “Perfick!”
So watch this imminent space. I hope to have it planned out within the next week.