Most peoples idea of a picnic is lying in some sunny meadow eating dainty sandwiches and sipping something cold. No you guessed it, that’s too obvious for us, instead we were in the breathtaking, autumnal sunshine and wind on a bend in the Beaulieu River, wrapped up warm and enjoying the play of light on the water and the fantastic colours of the trees and grasses at Buckler’s Hard. The main event was some italian inspired stuffed bread, which disappeared faster than the plastic picnic plates in the wind! We followed this up with a fab Apple and Blackberry Pie with Cream, tricky without spoons, but not impossible, and mopped up the remnants with the “Scone Master’s” Raisin scones with homemade Strawberry Jam.
We all had a trip of some kind on the water, the “Scone Master” demonstrating that he’s not bad with a Topper either, he was the only true “Sailor” we saw today. We rambled and enjoyed the country side and wildlife – excellent sighting of two Buzzard directly over the picnic table, and a Lapwing by the shore – and managed to collect sloes for another batch of gin.
All in all, a good day.