La Cantina

With the younger members of the Pie tribe out of the country or away, Mr & Mrs Pieman took the opportunity to sneak off to the relatively new Italian restaurant La Cantina in Boughton (Oct 2009). What an excellent evening on such a horrible night.

Food was excellent, the restaurant warm and pleasant. Staff were very helpful without being nauseatingly say simpering or insincere no mean feat. Suffice to say we would we go back again no problem.

Pieman got a bit nervous with the portion control as he often does but the food was superb. Interesting discernable flavours , fresh and warm ( Plates were heated - we like this).

They seem to have various events going on, special offers and cooking sessions. Can't wait to go again.

Mud Glorious Mud

Pieman and Piester in Law headed down to the allotment to do battle with the last bit of Plot 109a jungle today. Whilst there we had a visit from Nanny Pie who was up and about after being ill for the last few days after catching a virus whilst doing her volunteer work at the Hospital!!

Everything was going well until the rain came down and down and down. Eventually soaked through and wading through mud like glue we headed back to Pie Towers leaving one unfortunate plot holder stuck in the mud with his transit van.

A change of clothes and the restorative powers of Hoole Indian Takeaway has everyone smiling, feeling good and undoing belts.

Black Gold

Today saw the Pie tribe, minus supergirl pie, head to Cousin Linda's in search of Black Gold and we found it, tons of the stuff! 

She has some lovely horses who produce prodigenous amounts of the stuff. It is really well rotted and doesn't smell, excellent.

Many many thanks to Linda. Can't wait to go back to see Benjy the Jack Russell and the view from the house across the Cheshire Plain which was fantastic.

 

Stokes of Ellesmere

The Pieman and Pink Princess headed off to Chirk and its Castle today for a walk around the house and gardens. Whilst wandering around the rooms we came across a display of medieval food which included Pie! Excellent our kind of history.

Taken from PIES: Recipes, History & Snippets - Jane Struthers

Better still the real thing was too be found in the small but inviting Farm shop with new pies to the Pie Tribe from the company Stokes of Ellesmere. 

Having just scoffed an ice cream we resisted temptation and bought a Ellesmere pork Pie to share. The Pink Princess was not too impressed. The pastry was  a bit dry, no jelly, but the meat was tasty  and quite peppery.

The Pink Princess was even less impressed by the sight of one the many strutting Cock Pheasants around the estate with his beautiful plumage in fine condition rather contemptuously dismissed as a " Fat Noisy Chicken". 

Mike Peters and Friends

As part of the Flintshire Arts Festival 2010 Mike Peters performed at the Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold last night with the Pieman and the Dragonslayer in attendance. As well as Mr Peters and his Guitar , backing and performances were provided by the Abermorddu Primary School choir and the North Wales Rugby Choir.

An interesting collaboration and it worked pretty well. Mr Peters drew from his vast repertoire leaning heavily on classic Alarm tracks which is no bad thing. 

Including (in no specific order) Unsafe Building, Breathe, This Train Is Bound For Glory, No Frontiers, Strength, Where were you Hiding When The Storm Broke, 68 Guns,  Rain In The Summertime, Love Hope & Strength, Right Back (Where I started From), Walk Forever By My Side, Spirit of 76, The Stand..... Also a couple of covers Knockin on Heavens Door and Rocking In The Free World. An excellent night all in all. 

The Alarm are on tour through April promoting their latest album "Direct Action " released April 5th, 2010 catch them if you can for a great night.

Out Of This World

The Pie tribe ventured to Liverpool yesterday to the Philarmonic Hall to listen to the orchestra performing music from "Out of This World". A concert themed around Aliens, planets and Sci-Fi films featuring Star Wars, Star Trek , Holst The Planets and Off World Instruments!

Unfortunately the younger members of the Pie Tribe didn't enter into the spirit of things by dressing up as their favourite characteres instead they came as themselves as pictured below.

One feature of the concert was the massed Dad dancing that took place during the concert actively encouraged by the compare. Oh what a sight to behold. A final highlight of this entertaining concert was the sight of a Pie Daughter being chased around the foyer by a Pig Man. Then off to Parkgate for Ice Cream on the way home on a beautiful sunny day.

Girls are Back in Town

Plot 109a saw the return of the Pieman at the allotment digging and clearing rubbish in preparation for the new growing season. A welcome re-appearance from fricasse,  stroganoff and co within minutes of the first bed being dug over brought a smile to our faces.

We have one area left to convert from jungle to growing area. We are looking for a small shed, scaffolding planks (for raised beds) and horse manure?

Anne Frank

The Pie Tribe went to the Cathedral in Chester today to check out the Anne Frank Touring Exhibtion organised by the the Anne Frank Trust UK.  A taster of the Anne Frank House exhibition in Amsterdam but interesting and thought provoking nonetheless.

How profound for a teenager of no more than fifteen years of age, amazing. If you get the chance give it a visit only half an hour at most not including a video presentation.

Martin Mere

 

The Pie tribe headed for Lancashire today and the Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre not far from Burscough. What an excellent place absolutely fascinating with lots to see and do (if you want).

They have huge areas of mature and developing natural wetlands areas with lots of different hides to sit comfortably from and watch. There is plenty of information and very helpful volunteers keen to pass on information at the drop a hat.

As well as the natural areas there are the sympathetic man made areas around the centre which take you around the world with Wildfowl from many continents in themed areas. The fowl are fairly chilled and easily approachable particularly when armed with food ( not bread and definitely not Pie).

As well the wildfowl they also have some Beavers and Otters. With various talks and feeding sessions you won't get bored. We particularly enjoyed the Swan hides which overlook the mere where many many Whooper Swans congregate and others. 

At approx 3.00pm one of the staff comes along with an overflowing barrow of seed which sends the gathered throng into action. From a amiable peacful existence to bite your head feeding frenzy with many arrivals landing on top of the gathered mass without a care in the world like the Pieman at the doorway of a decent Pie emporium. We look forward to going again perhaps in the summer.

Pie Heaven

Of course the highlight of of our trip to Conwy was a visit to "Edwards of Conwy" Champion Pie makers !!! Located on the high street, our last visit to Conwy ended in tears as they had closed by the time we came back to sample their wares.

No mistakes this time however with ample time to feast our eyes on their wonderful selection and display.

The pieman chose to try out the Huntsman pie for which Edwards had been Champion Pie Makers in 2008. The Huntsman is essentially a pork pie with turkey and a sage & onion stuffing topping .Whilst the  Pie offspring both went for a beautiful looking Steak Pie. 

Upon eating the Steak Pie the Pink Princess was heard to say " I didn't know cow could taste so nice". Reasonably priced, plenty of choice and many standards available. So next time your shooting up the A55 take a few minutes of your time and dive into Pie Heaven.