Day Out: Newby Hall

Newby Hall is a grade 1 listed house with beautiful herbaceous gardens just a few miles away from our home and although I think I visited the garden regularly as a child with my grandparents I haven't been for ages. Mike and I are trying to do some of the local tourist destinations. Don't you find you never do the things that are right on your doorstep? We decided that was bizarre so we made a list and on free weekends we pick one local spot and become a tourist in our own city for a day. 

So last weekend was Newby Hall. It was a beautiful day and despite being slightly held up by a tractor rally that was taking part on the house grounds we made it and on the other side of the wall we we're met by a beautiful house and gardens. Unfortunately, but understandably you can't take photographs inside the house so if your ever in the local area you will have to check that out for yourselves. The hidden doors and history is worth the tour price. I love looking around stately homes and getting an insight into how the other half live. 

If your there with little ones there is a huge outdoor adventure park to keep them entertained for hours. 

Lemon Drizzle Cake

You can't beat a lovely piece of lemon-y lemon drizzle. The secret to a good lemon drizzle...? Lots of drizzle!

175g  margarine

175g  sugar

3 eggs

175g self raising flour

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lemon

85g sugar

Whisk sugar and margarine until fluffy, then add eggs and whisk, then the self raisng flour and lemon zest.

Bake at 170 C for 50mins

Mix lemon juice and sugar, skewer cakes all over and pour over drizzle while cakes are still hot.

Bike ride and a picnic

Since arriving back of holiday a day early we were desperate to keep the holiday feeling going a bit longer, why should the fact that we are back home stop us from having some fun?!

Some of you may have seen my previous post on my up-cycled bike. It is a complete travesty that this bike has not been ridden for nearly a year since its up-cycle! This was its day to show me how much fun a 1970s town bike can show me... and it didn't fail.

Wearing my most suitable attire (a vintage culotte play suit and my new converse) I packed a delicious light picnic of cous cous salad, olives, apple juice, orange juice and blackberries and raspberries, and off we wobbled...(I haven't ridden a bike in years and was a little nervous).

...But I had nothing to worry about apparently riding a bike is, well, like riding a bike...

We rode up to Studley Royal, a local beauty spot, laid out our picnic and read a book, what better way is there to end a holiday?

Quick Salmon and Creamy Greens

This is an incredibly fast and healthy dinner, it's perfect for midweek. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and cook.

 

You will need (per person):

A skinless salmon fillet

Chilli powder (mild or hot depending on your preference)

A courgette

Large handful of washed baby spinach

A heaped table spoon of garlic and herb light soft cheese

 

1. Using a vegetable peeler, ribbon the courgette and put in a wok or large frying pan with the spinach

2. In a bowl sprinkle chilli powder over one side of the salmon

3. Heat some oil in a frying pan and when hot add the salmon, chilli side down for about 3-5 mins

4. Turn the salmon (if it's blackened that's ok, it won't taste burnt)

5. Heat the courgette and spinach until the spinach wilts and stir in the soft cheese

6. Cook the salmon to your preference (I quite like it almost raw in the middle but some people don't)

7. Spoon the veg onto a plate and (here's the Master Chef bit) place the salmon on top

 

Okay, mine doesn't look quite 'Master Chef' but it is incredibly delicious and under 500 calories (that's not exact but according to 'My Fitness Pal')... See, told you it was quick!

 

Enjoy!

Emily x

La Roserie

We are very lucky and have a family home in the South of France that our mum bought about 8 years ago. It's a perfect place to unwind and has the added bonus for us of being a home-from-home. I love it best when it's full of our family as don't get to be together that often. As you know from Hatty's recent posts she didn't make it to France this time and our other sister, Rebecca, wasn't coming either... but we still had a really lovely time. I had forgotten how peaceful and beautiful it is, plus I've not been since before I got pregnant and there have been a few changes in the house since then. Please excuse the plethora of photos but I found it hard to edit them down!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not forgetting the wonderful rose garden which gives the house it's name...

 

 

The house is available to rent at times - search for 'La Roserie' on Facebook and like the page if you'd like updates on when there is availability. 

 

 

Missing it already!

Emily x