Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory

Whilst in the Black Country travelling around we went past that bastion of Pie making "Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory" in Tipton. Unfortunately on this trip we were unable to sample their wares, which currently include..

Wham Bam, Thank You Lamb Pie

Hen Pecked Pie

Bob Marley Pie

Kebab Pie (Have you tried one sober?!)

Posh 'n' Becks Pie

and the 4lb Desperate Dan Cow Pie

Also noticed whilst passing they have accommodation available for the serious Pie eater to rest up between meals. Their refreshingly honest sign refers to their rooms as "Nearly" en-suite !!! Can't wait to try their Pies.

Tribal Gathering

Following from our travels down south the Pie tribe went down to the sunny Black Country to meet up with the Viking and Tipton tribes for the first time in a while. First though we stopped off for a visit to see "Doris" the Cadbury cow in Bournville. Much rejoicing from the female members of the Pie Tribe!

Saturday evening saw a fanatstic tribal feast combining Indian and chinese foods. Chat, liquid refreshment, guitar playing, old photos (!!!!) and laughter were the order of the evening. What an excellent time.

Sunday saw the gathering head en masse to the Country & Western festival in Stourport. The Dad Police unfortunately stepped in to ensure that certain members of our party did not join in the massed line dancing taking place.

Everybody chilled with the sun breaking through and the rain staying off long enough to enjoy the fair, town, river, canals, festival, ice cream, floral gums, walking, go karts, pinball, singing, dancing (nearly) ....... and each others company.

Many thanks to our hosts the Tipton Tribe and can't wait to do it again.
PS. P Villa were lucky

Duck Pasty

Whilst staying on Exmoor we decided one day to sample a bit of local life by going to The Exford Show. A miniature sort of County show with show jumping, Sheep shows, Dog shows, Antler competitions (?), various displays and country activities including the fascinating and hugely comical terrier racing. Held up on the top of the moor the day proved to be time well spent and the sun was shining.

One tent in particularly caught the eye of the Pieman, the local Produce and craft marquee. Making a bee-line to a vast collection of foods to try and purchase. One particularly stand drew us near and we found a Duck Pasty, a new one for us. Not cheap at £3.50 a pop but in hindsight well worth a punt. Very rich and with quite a bit of potato in it, it was very satisfying nonetheless feeding 2 of us because it was big and packed. Definitely worthy of an 8/10.

Exmoor Pasty

From Kent the Pie tribe moved across the country to a stay on Exmoor on the Devon/Somerset border. On a trip out one rainy day we headed to Dunster Castle a national trust property near Minehead. It was a pretty grim day but started to pick up when we walked down to the nearby village finding bookshops, floral gums and pasty.

The excellent Dunster Village Shop & Deli, on the High Street, serves up an Exmoor Pasty. Which seemed to consist of minced beef, oregano and spuds, carrot swede, onion and other things?? It was pretty good and filling, we would give it 8/10. Leaving Dunster with pasty consumed the sun came out and the day just seemed better.

Square Pork Pie

Early August saw the Pie Tribe to Kent for a holiday and the search of Pie. An excellent week was kicked off by a visit to brother Kenny in sunny Bromley for a swim and excellent barbecue.Various trips around the county kept us busy and amused. Particularly interesting and worthwhile was our trip to Chartwell (Winston Churchills home) which led us on to the lovely Tonbridge Wells for walks, books and Pie.An otherwise damp day just kept getting better and better.

Well noticed by the younger members of the Pie Tribe was  the "Peter Speight" delicatessen in Chapel Place serving an array of worthwhile tasty looking pastries. We chose their own square Pork Pie. The owner seemed a little indignant when asked if they made them themselves !! A lot don't. As to the pie itself it was very good, a little on the dry side but still very edible - 7/10. The shop would be well worth a visit.

 

Rock Chick Goddess

Went to see the another concert this week as part of the Chester Music Festival in the company of Rock Chick Goddess, Nanny Pie. She was under strict instructions not to throw any knickers onstage as this was no Tom Jones performance and she behaved admirably.

The concert was at St Marys Centre, near Chester Castle and what a lovely venue. The group we went to see was Aquarelle, a guitar quartet and they were excellent. Technically mesmering the sound they produced was captivating. A mixture of classical with dance flavoured tunes from around the world with samba, rumba, salsa, flamenco affected rhythms and styles.

Penguin Cafe

Last night Mr & Mrs Pieman headed for the Town Hall in Chester to see The Penguin Cafe. Who are for tonight anyway are a ten piece group led by Arthur Jeffes, son of original Penguin Cafe Orchestra leader and creator Simon Jeffes.

Extremely difficult to describe as they encompass many styles, genres and rhythms to produce a beautiful, beguiling, bopping and absolutely brilliant sound. Often starting slowly with a particular instrument to the fore the rest of the ensemble join an ever growing cacophony of sound to get your feet tapping, lifting the spirit and putting a smile on your face. The only disappointment is the end!

The group starts as pianist, Percussionist/Drummer, Viola, Violin x2, Cellist, Double bass, Cuatro, Ukulele, Guitar but quickly this evolves throughout the performance with a roundabout of movement on stage between songs. A wide variety of instruments are taken up by the group during the performance including a harmonium  for a rendition of "Music for Found Harmonium". They are clearly accomplished musicians and their obvious enjoyment on stage is infectious. 

The venue was ok (very Hot) although the acoustics were not brilliant. I can't recommend the group highly enough, I won't pass up the opportunity to see them again.

Halfords Tour Series

With the Tour De France starting today (3rd July - Rotterdam) an excellent opportunity arose to see some high speed cycling as the Halfords Tour Series came to Chester. With 8/9 teams racing for team honours over a short (Criterium ) course around the city centre the racing was fast and furious with intermediate sprints along the way.

The race lasts an hour and five laps with three sprints along the way. Breakaways, tactics, sweat, very loud music, speed, an open pie shop and an enthuastic crowd made for a good evening only slightly marred by the two large crashes on the last corner of the last lap!

Winner for the evening was Kiwi, Jack Bauer from the Endura racing team. Overall team Series leaders remained Motorpoint Marshall Pasta team.

Pie Day

Big thanks to the Pie Tribe girls who made Fathers day that bit special. Pie for breakfast and Pie for tea! The day started well with Pork Pie for breakfast, a basket of edible goodies and a limited edition shirt from the team that matter.

Taking advantage of the wonderful weather we headed into sunny Wales and the Ceirog valley. From Llanarmon DC we went on a circular walk of nearly five miles without meeting a soul. Apart from the lady who subsequently was to serve us Pie at the excellent West Arms Hotel back in Llanarmon DC, not that we knew  that then.

Tha walk was excellent and the Steak, Mushroom and Herb Pie was an excellent way to end the day, along with a pint of very cold cider!

Smash and Grab

At Plot 109a we have to contend with various pests and invaders. Some are two legged, four legged, no legs and some are known to fly. Mice, rats, pheasant, ducks, various insect, slug, snails and the dreaded Wood Pigeon who treats the allotments as their own personal late night take away smorgasboard.

But now we have bi-peds of a different order who steal plants, tramp over beds, uproot plants ...... They took my whole clump of chives, one Onion (?), lettuce, strawberries.......

So if you see any furtive individuals knocking about carrying one onion let us know!