#historic houses nature gardens vegetables trees colour birds cooking

[sussex-nature-lover]

Sunday 9th October 2-2022

Bateman’s Gardens in the Autumn

*bold type is an outside link if you click through

We’re still getting very heavy rains, fortunately over the last week or so it seems they fall mostly overnight. So now all the lawns are nice and green and of course everything’s growing like crazy. Yesterday we had Ms NWtE, her husband and their dog visiting and so we took advantage of fine, dry, sunny and really warm conditions to take a nice walk at Bateman’s (see the National Trust link in the header) It was absolutely glorious, didn’t even need a cardigan.

We go so often that we don’t always go inside the house, but yesterday there was a demonstration of spinning with local sheep wool, so we did pop in to watch that and talk to the lady while she was at work. She was taught by a local group of farmers’ wives when she moved in to the area 16 years ago. It’s quite mesmerising to watch.

When you enter into the gardens the first section you come to is the higher level vegetable beds and orchard, with far reaching views and a glimpse of the house lower down into the valley.

Despite the summer’s drought, the vegetable beds seem quite fulsome now, although it’s a slightly in-between period with some going over and some yet to reach harvest.

Above, these were the artichokes

There was some evidence of broccoli, perhaps heading for quiche in the Orchard Tearooms at some stage?

National Trust aim to be benign gardeners - we saw quite a few caterpillars from the large Cabbage White butterfly, having a feast and more evidence of nature helping nature.

One bed had a good amount of healthy looking leeks 

At the bottom of the kitchen garden the pear arch, beside the greenhouse, is a lovely feature. This is from a previous year. I’m looking forward to seeing the new scheme.

One of the things I love about visiting National Trust properties is that whether it’s in the house or the gardens, you always discover something new. Above is the Medlar tree in the orchard, but yesterday I found another round at the side of the house.

Not only is the fruit unusual looking, it has to be treated quite differently too, being stored carefully and allowed to ‘mature’ before it’s fit to eat. This process is known as bletting. I quite fancy one of the trees as they sound delightful and easy peasy to grow too. This is a description and guide through all its stages.

My other link tells what you can actually do with the fruit, which is related to apples and quince. The suggestions are mostly jelly and jam type of thing, but there is a kind of fruit cheese curd, although I do like the look of the tart...realistically I can’t see me ever getting around to the faff with the fruit and then making it.

I just enjoyed the blue skies and the photos I could take. Here’s a new flower on the Magnolia Grandiflora. It’s much later than we’ve had in our garden, but it is sheltered against the stone walls of the house.

Talking of trees, down in the wild area by the river, I did my annual sniff the air test as we walked past the candy floss tree.

Katsura Tree on the far right here  (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

I’ve dried some leaves from yesterday, not quite the glorious colour we spotted last year. It was absolutely stunning and the perfume really is strong. I’m not sure why they’ve taken away the sign because I’m betting lots of people stroll through and don’t even register it. I want one of these too.

Back through the rose garden, which still had plenty of late blooms, we could see that the benches and seats were being well used. It was quite a busy afternoon for visitors walking dogs and enjoying the sunshine. The tea room and outside seating was absolutely packed.

In home based nature news we’re still seeing deer across the lane and the garden feeders are busy with great spotted woodpeckers, starlings, house sparrows, marsh, blue and great tits and the long tailed tits are here several times a day on a flying stopover between their nest areas and the woods. In smaller numbers there are robins, goldfinch, dunnocks and nuthatch, plus the ever present wood pigeons who are displaying - obviously to no avail! The robins have been singing and chatting. They’ve done really well again this year.

Inspector Pritchard has spent a bit less time with us, lured away next door but one by a superior brand of cat biscuits and his very own food bowl. That boy’s treated like a prince, no, a king. No wonder he hasn’t strayed further since he landed on his feet round here.

Garden tree watch: we have a real splash of colour, but apart from that, only glimpses of what’s to come with the oak showing a tiny bit of yellow.

Next door’s willow tree still has all its leaves

And in much neglected kitchen news, the smell of supper simmering earlier was mouth watering. It’s Indian spiced shepherd’s pie. One to eat and one for the freezer. The spices were cooked down and are then mingled with the meat, onions and other veg. It’s very simple but smells like a lot of effort’s gone into it. This is the basic recipe. I haven’t linked to the chef’s own site as she now skips all the spices and includes a pre mixed kit for sale in supermarkets. Years ago I invested in a couple of masala dabbas and so I have all the spices I need to hand, stored so I can see them in the airtight container that lives inside a dark cupboard.  Usually we’d have the recipe as a cottage pie, so the lamb is a change for us - one link remains though, I include carrot, mainly because I’m a big carrot fan, but more veg is good, no?  I’m watching collie dogs hunting for white truffles in Piedmont on TV, but our tastes are much more simple and this is a go-to autumn and winter staple that we never tire of. 

[bechelsea]

The Red Soil of Mesmerising Mathgaon

Kolhapur, a city in the south-western region of Maharashtra, is bound by historical stories and was ruled by one of the best-known benevolent rulers- Shahu Maharaj. The first few things amongst many that strike on reaching Kolhapur are Mahalaxmi Temple, Kolhapuri chappals and the signature Kolhapuri hot chilli cuisine.

This ancient city is situated on the banks of the Panchganga River. A wide range of temples popularly known for their Indian temple architecture is seen in various parts across the city.

Since the city is uniquely located on the eastern side of pristine western ghats, it offers stunning landscapes to explore.

The outskirts of Kolhapur city have small embedded pockets of villages. These villages are still dressed with the scent of the ancient culture, food and historic structures.

To start with, Gargoti starts 50 kms from Kolhapur. This route leads to an even smaller pocket of a village called Mathagon.Surprisingly, this village is nowhere seen or mentioned on any social media platform. And this is where Royal Camping Club has done a stunning job of maintaining the sanity and eclectic village culture of Mathagaon.

This is the kind of place one would visit to skip mainstream and crowded venues and locations.Nestled in the middle of the western ghats, Mathgaon has some exceptional vistas to offer complimented by salubrious environs charming the average traveller.

As the journey starts, leaving behind the chaotic city, heading towards the destination it all starts with eye-catching red soil interspersed on the path. This is also a hallmark feature of the Konkan region which is widely known as an explorer’s paradise.

Pure air wafting through the vast fields of sugarcane, add a much-needed romance of the village life en-route.

Pathgaon, another stretch, comes with a strong and enduring political history.

V.T Patil and Ramrao Benadikar were some stalwarts who have successfully established a tradition for education in and around Mathagaon.

Following the footstep of social reformer and king Shahu Maharaj, the ancestors of Patil clan also emphasised on spreading education which gave birth to ‘Mouni Vidyapeeth’. The message was rightly acknowledged.

With changing times, Patil eventually became the pioneer in the field of education and today DYP university established by Patil stands as a doyen of University education in Maharashtra consistently scaling new heights

On similar lines, Sanjeev Benadikar, successor of Ramrao Benadikar, did not fall behind in extending superlative academic facilities to the kids in the region hitherto unseen in rural India. A small residential school is run by the said owners of Royal Camping Club.

On reaching the Royal Camping Club, the sky appeared spectacularly clear with the stark contrast of red soil creating hues of natural colours. Once we settled in our cottages, we were promptly handed over a two-day itinerary.

The itinerary consisted of a trek through the labyrinthine corridor of tropical trees and bushes. The 3-hour long hike ended at a soul-enriching waterfall where we were met with the dazzling display of a rivulet descending onto weathered rocks. With the sightings of seasonal flora, the forest trail gave us a perfect gateway experience.

As mentioned earlier, the unblemished territory of Mathgaon, mesmerised us with its untouched wilderness. Any human presence was conspicuous by its absence. 

Furthermore, an enticing sunset point was on the check-list followed by coffee and snacks which was intended to provide us with the much-needed succour after the hike.

A canvas of Sahyadri mountain range with the tinge of ombre set the tone for a scenic sunset. A blanket of green cover could be seen laterally spread across the Sahyadri range. It underscored the most surreal sunset one could ever witness. A heady cocktail of adventure and visual treat in the lap of nature was everything dreams are made of.

Retiring somewhat tired to our cottage, our bodies were itching for a power nap but our spirit was vitalized. I was looking forward to the nightly fare that was planned for us.

The Royal Camping Club is impeccable in its outlay. It occupies one’s imagination in its understated opulence. The cherry on top is the extensive kitchen garden.

It boasts of its very own home-grown vegetables. Pluck, cook and eat is the dictum by which the rural folk live here. The cuisine was simple and yet satiated our palates. We were treated to an authentic culinary experience. The aroma of flavours along with the visually gripping platter of the sumptuous food was in full display. It is worth a mention and capped a perfectly spent day. In-house poultry ensured that meat was fresh. One could sense an explosion of various flavours with every morsel revealing the use of a variety of spices blending almost organically with meat and veggies. I have to admit, it’s a meat lovers paradise.

A well-lit bonfire just ticked the right boxed and thus set the tone for one of the most dreamy wine tasting sessions ever.

Laughter and music were the usual suspects which added much fervour to this star gazing affair. In the intimate company of your loved ones, one tends to feel blessed. I admit I must have pinched myself a couple of times to check if this was real. We went to bed, our hearts soothed and our souls nourished.

The next morning comprised of another route for the trek. This patch of the village is where the “Mouni Vidyapeeth” was established. A 100-year-old temple with its rich history leaves you awestruck with its architectural splendour.

Stories of Ram-Laxman carved on the red stones and the shrine of the ancestors speak volumes of the fine cultural heritage this village boasts of.

Continuing the day with a sufficient and well-made spread of local food we trudged through the narrow pugdandis. The chirping of birds and the snapping of twigs beneath our feet transported us to the bygone days of trekking and camping during our school days. This is a place where you see a beautiful and an unmistakable convergence of history and geography.

With nightfall, it was time to pack and reload for our return journey. It was time to bid adieu to Mathgaon albeit with a heavy heart. We left Mathagaon with the sullenness of a lovestruck fool but with a romantic promise to return one day again.

[accorvacationclub-blog]

The 7 Must-See Sights of a Mekong River Cruise

Aboard your beautiful river ship, you’ll discover the exciting and the awe-inspiring. Discover the ancient temples of Siem Reap, be captivated by differences in the Vietnamese and Cambodian cultures or take some time out to find that perfect souvenir among the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City on a Mekong River Cruise.

Explore too, the many colourful local floating markets and share in the charm of a traditional fishing village, to name just a few of the magical sights and highlights. A river cruise along the majestic Mekong River is a soul-stirring surprise to all who make this unique voyage, an extraordinary journey that definitely belongs on everyone’s bucket list.

We suggest you check out these sights and highlights…

Siem Reap – Angkor Wat

Many of Accor Vacation Club Travel’s Mekong River Cruises will start or end in Siem Reap, home to an extensive array of ornately decorated 12th century stone structures. Centrally located and well preserved is the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, a huge temple of undeniable ancient beauty. Keep an eye out for that picture-perfect photograph combining Angkor Wat’s beehive towers with the natural golden glow of sunrise, or stunningly silhouetted against rich reds and purple hues of a sunset.

If you have time to visit the other temples within the vicinity, make your way to Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple (where Tomb Raider was filmed), Preah Khan and Ta Prohm – each a significant example of ancient Khmer architecture.

Phnom Penh

Featuring ancient architecture, religious, saffron-robed monks, and beautiful temples, Phnom Penh is a crossroad of cultures where the past meets the present. A visit to the golden Royal Palace, National Museum and Silver Pagoda showcases Cambodia’s undeniable cultural and historical significance. Or, for a more sombre experience to reflect upon Cambodia’s tumultuous past, a visit to the Killing Fields will serve as a compelling reminder of the still recent Kmher Rouge regime.

Can Tho or Cai Be Floating Markets

Located right inside the Mekong Delta are numerous traditional Floating Markets, ready for the savvy traveller to bargain. This is where locals come to buy and sell everything: from seasonal fruit and vegetables, flowers, drinks as they savour the delicious aromas of freshly caught fish or skewers of succulent chicken cooking over an open grill.

You can also try out a unique gastronomic experience, with tried and tested local dishes such as pho (noodle soup), com tam (rice with meat and various greens), and bun rieu (a meat and rice vermicelli soup). Dig in!

My Tho – Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda

One of the oldest Buddist temples in the Mekong Delta, Vinh Trang Pagoda is a gilded confection of golden temples, intricately designed towers and more than 60 statuesque smiling Buddhas.

The resident monks tend to the two acres of beautifully manicured gardens, as well as maintaining a children’s home for the less fortunate. This peaceful temple area is one of the most popular attractions in Vietnam, is easily accessible and free to locals and tourists alike, although we would encourage a supportive donation.

Tan Chau – Tra Su Bird Sanctuary

Tan Chau is a charming riverside town offering an insight into everyday Vietnamese life, virtually untouched by the rapid progress of modernity and tourism. Known for its superb silk weaving, a visit to one of the nearby villages will inspire you, as will a stroll to local riverside markets, Buddhist temples, and more.

And, if you’re into wildlife photography, you’ll find the many colourful, exotic birds taking flight amidst the serene silence of the Tra Su Forest is simply mesmerizing. Arguably one of the most picturesque places you’ll visit in Asia, here you can step aboard a traditional Vietnamese boat to cruise among sunken cajuput trees (Meleleuca), where the only sound to be heard is the swish of a paddle and a cacophony of birdsong. Simply magic.

Sa Dec

Known for pretty French-colonial architecture of the town’s mansions and homes, and complemented by riverside markets, street food, cafés, and restaurants, Sa Dec should definitely be on your itinerary! A sight to behold are the stunning displays made by nearby villages farming ornamental, traditional, and new species of flowers for the markets of larger towns and cities.

Sa Dec was made famous for its connection to the movie “L’Amant” and French novelist Marguerite Duras’ autobiographical novel “The Lover”, that took the world by storm in the 1920’s. Set in the ancient house Huynh Thuy Le, the story takes many twists and turns as it leads you through her doomed love affair with a wealthy Chinese land owner. As the town’s biggest attraction, this must-see house combines Asian-French style with rich, dark, intricate woodwork, porcelain delicates and a simple, yet timeless garden. Definitely worth the visit.

Ho Chi Minh

Formerly known as Saigon, the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh is hard to beat, giving travellers a dynamic cityscape that combines historic colonial architecture with soaring skyscrapers. Discover the Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral. Immerse yourself in the culture as you enjoy the taste of delicious street food while you explore Saigon Opera House, Ben Thanh Market, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda on a spectacular city adventure

If you’re up for one of the most culturally diverse journeys of your life, and are ready to embrace new, soulful discoveries, then a Mekong River Cruise is waiting for you!

When you’re ready to book, we can find your savings with a simple call on AU: 1800 70 80 90 or NZ: 0800 45 19 97.

[bechelsea]

The Red Soil of Mesmerising Mathgaon

Kolhapur, a city in the south-western region of Maharashtra, is bound by historical stories and was ruled by one of the best-known benevolent rulers- Shahu Maharaj. The first few things amongst many that strike on reaching Kolhapur are Mahalaxmi Temple, Kolhapuri chappals and the signature Kolhapuri hot chilli cuisine.

This ancient city is situated on the banks of the Panchganga River. A wide range of temples popularly known for their Indian temple architecture is seen in various parts across the city.

Since the city is uniquely located on the eastern side of pristine western ghats, it offers stunning landscapes to explore.

The outskirts of Kolhapur city have small embedded pockets of villages. These villages are still dressed with the scent of the ancient culture, food and historic structures.

To start with, Gargoti starts 50 kms from Kolhapur. This route leads to an even smaller pocket of a village called Mathagon.

Surprisingly, this village is nowhere seen or mentioned on any social media platform. And this is where Royal Camping Club has done a stunning job of maintaining the sanity and eclectic village culture of Mathgaon.

This is the kind of place one would visit to skip mainstream and crowded venues and locations.

Nestled in the middle of the western ghats, Mathgaon has some exceptional vistas to offer complimented by salubrious environs charming the average traveller.

As the journey starts, leaving behind the chaotic city, heading towards the destination it all starts with eye-catching red soil interspersed on the path. This is also a hallmark feature of the Konkan region which is widely known as an explorer’s paradise

Pure air wafting through the vast fields of sugarcane, add a much-needed romance of the village life en-route.

Pathgaon comes with a strong and enduring political history.

V.T Patil and Ramrav Benadikar were some stalwarts who have successfully established a tradition for education in and around Mathgaon.

Following the footstep of social reformer and king Shahu Maharaj, the ancestors of Patil clan also emphasised on spreading education which gave birth to ‘Mouni  Vidyapeeth’. The message was rightly acknowledged.

With changing times, Patil eventually became the pioneer in the field of education and today DYP university established by Patil stands as a doyen of University education in Maharashtra consistently scaling new heights

On similar lines, Sanjeev  Benadikar, successor of Ramrao Benadikar, did not fall behind in extending superlative academic facilities to the kids in the region hitherto unseen in rural India. A small residential school is run by the said owners of Royal Camping Club.

On reaching the Royal Camping Club, the sky appeared spectacularly clear with the stark contrast of red soil creating hues of natural colours. Once we settled in our cottages, we were promptly handed over a two-day itinerary.

The itinerary consisted of a trek through the labyrinthine corridor of tropical trees and bushes. The 3-hour long hike ended at a soul-enriching waterfall where we were met with the dazzling display of a rivulet descending onto weathered rocks. With the sightings of seasonal flora, the forest trail gave us a perfect gateway experience.

As mentioned earlier, the unblemished territory of Mathgaon, mesmerised us with its untouched wilderness. Any human presence was conspicuous by its absence. The air was palpable with our reinvigorated spirits

Furthermore, an enticing sunset point was on the check-list followed by coffee and snacks which was intended to provide us with the much-needed succour after the hike.

A canvas of Sahyadri mountain range with the tinge of ombre set the tone for a scenic sunset. A blanket of green cover could be seen laterally spread across the Sahyadri range. It underscored the most surreal sunset one could ever witness. A heady cocktail of adventure and visual treat in the lap of nature was everything dreams are made of.

Retiring somewhat tired to our cottage, our bodies were itching for a power nap but our spirit was vitalized. I was looking forward to the nightly fare that was planned for us.

The property is impeccable in its outlay. It occupies one’s imagination in its understated opulence. The cherry on top is the extensive kitchen garden of Royal Camping Club.

It boasts of its very own home-grown vegetables. Pluck, cook and eat is the dictum by which the rural folk live here. The cuisine was simple and yet satiated our palates. We were treated to an authentic culinary experience. The aroma of flavours along with the visually gripping platter of the sumptuous food was in full display. It is worth a mention and capped a perfectly spent day. In-house, poultry ensured that meat was fresh. One could sense an explosion of various flavours with every morsel revealing the use of a variety of spices blending almost organically with meat and veggies. I have to admit, it’s a meat lovers paradise.

The cold breeze, the rustling of trees and leaves under a thick carpet of clouds with the moon splashing down on a finely curated lawn in its milky whiteness conspired to set the stage for an experience of a lifetime.

A well-lit bonfire just ticked the right boxed and thus set the tone for one of the most dreamy wine tasting sessions ever.

Laughter and music were the usual suspects which added much fervour to this star gazing affair. In the intimate company of your loved ones, one tends to feel blessed. I admit I must have pinched myself a couple of times to check if this was real. We went to bed, our hearts soothed and our souls nourished.

The next morning comprised of another route for the trek. This patch of the village is where the “Mauli Vidyapeeth” was established. A 100-year-old temple with its rich history leaves you awestruck with its architectural splendour.

Stories of Ram-Laxman carved on the red stones and the shrine of the ancestors speak volumes of the fine cultural heritage this village boasts of.

Continuing the day with a sufficient and well-made spread of local food we trudged through the narrow pugdandis. The chirping of birds and the snapping of twigs beneath our feet transported us to the bygone days of trekking and camping during our school days. This is a place where you see a beautiful and an unmistakable convergence of history and geography.

With nightfall, it was time to pack and reload for our return journey. It was time to bid adieu to Mathgaon albeit with a heavy heart. We left Mathgaon with the sullenness of a lovestruck fool but with a romantic promise to return one day again.