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      Only in England

      June 10th

      Official merchandise from WETF
      I'm tempted to jump in the old jalopy later this month and steam north towards Lincolnshire and join in the fun and games that are to be found there.  I won't be wearing my Sunday best though in fear of ruining my pride and joy nor will I wear my favourite comfortable clothes in for fear of never being able to wear them again.  What is this you ask, it's the World Egg Throwing Federation day on June 26th, mark it in the diary, book your flights, fill the car up with fuel and let's head over and see what it is all about.  World Egg Throwing Day  Some of the races include:

      Egg Throwing. 
      Egg Static Relay.
      Egg Target Throwing
      Russian Egg Roulette
      Egg Trebuchet Challenge

      It's all good fun and several categories are held as you can see with strict rules to be adhered to, I especially laughed at the Russian Roulette idea.  I love how bonkers and versatile this country can be. 

      This week will see the UK celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday and up and down the country there will be garden parties, picnics and many different celebrations of people coming together in the name of the queen, but actually it's more like in the name of community.  Anything that brings people together for happiness gets a huge thumbs up in my book.  Our village will be having one huge picnic in the park with traditional Punch and Judy, ice creams and fair rides.  It's a day of coming together.  A snippet of photos of the Queen through out her reign can be seen here:  Elizabeth II Time line  I shall be decorating my porch and the garden with bunting and appropriate flags to show we are game on in this house for parties and fun.  Photos next week.

      On a very local level again only in England, unless you tell me otherwise, our local farmer has caused quite a stir.  A field minutes from my house suddenly grew giant marshmallows over night, want to see...


      Giant marshmallows?


      Pink silage bales promoting Brest Cancer Now


      Dave the farmer at Mays Farm in Oxfordshire decided to wrap his silage bales in pink wrap to promote Brest Cancer Now campaign and a just giving webpage was set up.  It has as I mentioned caused a lot of talk in our area and makes people wonder and smile as they drive past.  Well done Mays Farm.  Below, if it works, (hopefully) is a short clip showing how the silage is wrapped in pink.

      Video clip

      
      Intriguing sign on the road side





      This brings me to my fourth UK snippet to share with you and again is local to my home.  It is still a mystery as to who wrote it or indeed who Lukas is, there are as you can expect a few rumours flying around...






       
       
      And finally the sun began to shine in our neck of the woods which sent me in a kitchen frenzy to make very English food and drink...
       
       
      I donned my summer apron and summer shoes
      for making and baking in the kitchen

      
      First up was elderflower cordial, my summer
      favourite drink,  so easy to make
       
      For instructions on how to make this wonderful drink, see elderflower-cordial
       
      And then I tried my hand for the first time on Gin & Tonic cake.  Oh. My. Word. Is all I have to say about that.  Needles to say it went down an English storm and will become a firm favourite in our house.  Will post up the recipe this week end if anyone fancies a lovely moist lemon drizzle type cake with the added English benefit of gin!
       
      
      
      Gin and Tonic Cake, delish
       
       
      Sharing as always on a Friday with Amy do pop and see what others are sharing today. 
       
       
      ♥  Anyone for a G & T?  ♥
       
      PS  I still cannot seem to comment on any WordPress blogs, I do read them promise, but cannot make comments, so very sorry.
       
       
      PPS My Instagram is not updating on the blog since June 1st, it's still all there on IG but not transferring across, if anyone knows how to fix this solution, I would be very grateful, I'm tearing my hair out here! 

      44 comments:

      1. Your post has really made me smile - is it just English eccentricity or do other nations have their foibles too? The pink bales are fabulous. What a fantastic idea to get people talking about breast cancer and raise money too. The gin and tonic cake sounds perfect and I know a number of people who would be queuing up for a slice of that!

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        1. Annie. I'll post the recipe here on the blog over the weekend

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      2. Ha! I had to laugh at your title. Both of my parents are Irish and I used to hear this said a lot when I was little. I cannot help with your Instagram issue sorry, I hope you get it sorted soon. Have a great weekend with all your activities and enjoy the Gin & Tonic cake xx

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        1. Glad I made you laugh Lisa. Can imagine that any Irish family would say the same!!! Hee hee

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      3. It's the sun, we're just not used to it! It makes people do daft but interesting things. Have a great celebration. x

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      4. What a great post! The 'marshmallows' and the sign both made me laugh out loud. Thanks for sharing!

        Have a fun weekend

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      5. It's that time of year when people get up to fun things out of doors, but then we have the typical English weather too. Let's hope it holds out for the celebrations. The elder flower cordial sounds wonderful as does the G&T cake. Love the marshmallows:)

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      6. Fun post! From egg tossing to a G&T cake! Love the pink bales -- a very special farmer. I bet the sign does have folks talking! Enjoy the cooking!

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        1. Thanks Snap. There's even an online chat to work out who write the sign and who it is about...

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      7. Good five, don't think I'll be joining you for the egg tossing though, lol

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        Replies
        1. No Janet I shan't be going either really but it just made me giggle what people get up to

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      8. Such a great post that made me smile. I really want to know about this cake with Gin...

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        Replies
        1. I'll post the cage recipe over the weekend. It's so moist it's lovely

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      9. Bring on the G & T cake!!! I love elderflower cordial, so refreshing on these lovely warm days. xx

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      10. Oh bummer, I have a Wordpress blog. Another blogger I know of can't comment either. I have no idea what the problem is. Sheesh now I would love a gin and tonic. Lately my Dear has been adding fresh cucumber to it and it's quite lovely. I would love to try your G & T cake so I look forward to that recipe. I'm laughing at all the fun events and the buzz in your community over that sign. Too funny. Have a great weekend.

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        1. Elken I think it's a problem at the blogspot end not with Wordpress. I will keep trying to see what I can do. But rest assured I do read your posts x

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      11. Egg throwing day sounds like quite an event doesn't it!! I love the pink bales, how great is that! They do look like great big marshmallows don't they. We call the normal ones snails, but these are definitely mallows! Thank you for taking part in Five On Friday. I hope you have a great weekend! xx

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      12. Such a Fab Five.
        Well done Mays family, pink hay bales is a fantastic way to raise awareness and funds.
        Glad to see you used Gordons in the cake! Very British!
        We have tons of elder trees in blossom right now, I have never made cordial so perhaps I'll try your recipe this week. Thanks.

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        Replies
        1. Oh Maggie I hope you give it a try. Let me know if you do

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      13. Oh this has made me smile this morning. What a wonderful way to celebrate the Queen's birthday. I have yet to hear of any celebratory events near us. Elderflower cordial is deliciously refreshing isn't it? I must confess, however, I cheat and buy it from a local farm shop. X

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        Replies
        1. What a shame there is not anything local to you Jules. Maybe have your own family tea party instead?

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      14. What a marvellous post. I love that the farmer has covered his bale in pink instead of black as it becomes a talking point and then an awareness raising one around breast cancer. I love your apron too. I'd be very curious about the lukas signs too, unless its to to with the Heart Foundation! I've never had Gin and Tonic cake and would love to make some some day. I was hoping to go foraging today as I want to make some elderflower champagne. The last time was when I lived in Scotland. Fingers crossed. PS Thank you for your honest and war comment. I don't think I would be able to read Shame either xx

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      15. Happy Birthday to the Queen!! And after reading...I must say this was such a delightful post. I enjoyed it. Love the pink silage bales for Breast Cancer awareness, but wondering how they got them pink? [Just wrappers of some kind?] Oh and got any cake leftovers?

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      16. Hi Selma,
        Laughed at the marshmallows! and I like the sound of the cake!
        We went to buy Citric Acid today, first chemist didn't have any and suggested we try another nearby, when we got there the assistant laughed, and said "Elderflower Cordial?" Apparently they have been having quite a run on Citric Acid today! Anyway, my back is playing up at the moment and DH has kindly gone to get some elderflower heads for me, so ours will be soaking tonight. Have a great time tomorrow!
        Barbara xx

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        1. Hope your back is better soon Barbara. Yes our chemist always gives a knowing smile here too x

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      17. Greetings Selma, sorry for my delay in commenting. Looks like you have a fun and busy weekend planned. I loved reading about all the festivities. And, the sign is very intriguing indeed. The gin and tonic cake looks so yummy; I'll need for look for a recipe. Have a wonderful night/day! Hugs, Pat

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        1. Thanks Pat. Always good to hear from you. Xxxxx

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      18. Hello, again.
        Do you see me smiling to you! It is fun. Enjoy cooking and Happy day for you!!

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      19. Such a fun post, you poms have some wonderful traditions and celebrations. I have seen white hay bales but never pink, what a great way to promote awareness.

        Diana

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        1. I agree Fiaba. Now local and national press have got hold of this story. Remember you read it here first ! Hee hee

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      20. BlogSpot is acting up so probably the problem lies with them. the cake looks wonderful so will be back to read up on it. Egg throwing? How fun. Take pics please!

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        1. Hi Sugar. Think Wordpress has decided I am a spammer and it would seem all my comments go firstly to spam!!! Very sad

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      21. The cake looks yummy, but oh, those red shoes - ooh la la! Dorothy has nothing on you.

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      22. Ha! That's great Patsy. Ifbonly I were as young and slim as I remember Dorothy to be

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      I will always read all comments and will try to reply but it may take me a couple of days, do please pop back and lets get a conversation going...