Saturday 15 October 2011

Heresy

Three lovely days spent in the company of two friends from Newcastle.


We crammed in so much. Walking, sightseeing, driving, shopping, tearooms and cafes.

My, how those girls can shop!

And eat.


And fret about their holiday weight gain, and how they might not be allowed on the plane home, and not just because of their luggage allowance. And eat some more.

I so enjoyed their company. Tosca was in heaven having two favourite aunties with us, and Millie enjoyed coming out for walks in a larger gang.



All that running about excitedly and dashing up trees was tiring for little stripy legs, though. A lie-down in the road was required before coming indoors again.



The best part for me was watching the loveliness of this area working its magic, and seeing my friends enjoying the views, the beaches, the beautiful rolling hills, and understanding why I love it so.

Three days wasn't long enough; much more to do and see next time.

But the heresy? Well, I really don't like the much-vaunted cream tea that is such a tourist attraction all over the West Country.


Give me a home-baked scone fresh from the oven and a bit of butter, yes, lovely. Maybe some raspberry jam. But a big, cakey scone with clotted cream and sickly-sweet strawberry jam? Even worse, two? Noooooooo..... (If I hadn't refused this time, there would have been six on that plate!)

I've tried them in several different places, where the home-made cakes look much more enticing, and they have invariably disappointed.

Feel free to disagree....

12 comments:

jabblog said...

Cream doesn't do anything for me, either.

Arthur Ransome said...

I agree about the superiority of a homemade scone every time - but I do enjoy the jam and cream. That is, I did, until recently. I've started a regimen of "sensible eating" - even before the government came out with its scary Podge Is Your Own Fault strategy. And it works! I'm delighted to say that I've lost the weight of at least one of the cats and the difference is beginning to be felt. I do like to look at photos of scones, though.

Shelagh said...

Ah, but put a slice of treacle tart in front of you and it's a different story isn't it. Hmmmm??? :-)

Maggie Christie said...

I have to be in the right mood for a cream tea and home made is better. You're having such fun - all that house-moving angst forgotten now I hope.

Anonymous said...

I like one SMALL scone, with a little bit jam and cream, but given the choice I would have a cheese scone (especially one of yours!!)

Noelle the dreamer said...

Hubby just fainted...Scones, cream, treacle tart...Rachel, homesick we are!
Enjoy your little paradise and hugs to all!

Anonymous said...

I don''t care for them either, I prefer something savoury.

Marcheline said...

I'll go halvies with you. I'll take the home-made heavier scone, with the clotted cream, no jam. See? Now you've made me drool on my keyboard.

dinahmow said...

Heresy? Heresy is the Australian approach. Scones usually warmed in a microwave (!) and I have never seen clotted cream here. At best, whipped cream. And the worst? That polyfilla stuff from an aerosol can.
But at least you have the countryside to walk off the excess! ;-)

June said...

I haven't ever had clotted cream. Nearest I can imagine is cream cheese, but I gather clotted cream is much lighter and fluffier. I like anything dairy . . . how bad could it be?

BumbleVee said...

I prefer home made anything....but, I lurve..lurve my own scones. I just made some the other day with raspberries in them...from a neighbour's garden. She gave me a little baggie of frozen ones and I am hoarding them for scones and muffins.
I don't know what the scones are like over there really....but,most I've had out here are dry and tasteless. I make mine nice and fluffy and don't even roll them out...I drop them in big blobs...and make them rustic looking. If you want to try my recipe check my food blog...and ..hey...send me yours...or print it out for us all to try.....

Anonymous said...

This Aussie is also wondering what clotted cream is. Have often heard of it in an English context. I agree that the microwaved ultra-soft scones we get here can be a disappointment. Home-made/crunchy/hollow-sounding are best, served up wrapped in a checked cloth with butter (never margarine!).

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