Saturday 4 July 2015

The Places I Go . . .


 photo title_zpsg9rc5wdt.jpg


I have to say that I am living the most amazing life.  For a Canadian Girl, daughter of simple folk, born, bred and having grown up in simple circumstances and from humble beginnings . . .  my life is truly TRULY an amazing one.  Each day I feel like I have to pinch myself to see if I am dreaming because I just get to do and see the most amazing things.  Just living and loving in the homeland of my childhood heroes (Haley Mills and the Beatles) is amazing enough for me, but to have been able to experience all the extras I have since being here is just over the top for me.  I could die tomorrow (I sincerely hope that I don't) and I would die knowing I have lived a fabulous life.

On the 1st of July I was invited to travel to Crewe to experience the "Mornflake Seed to Bowl Event,"   being held at the Mornflake Mill.  Todd was also invited to go with me as I don't like to travel alone these days because of my arthritis, etc.   He wasn't complaining.   He loves to travel and he loves farms, so this was a bonus for him!

I was really looking forward to this excursion actually.  Crewe isn't very far from Chester.   I don't like the events where I have to travel all the way down to London, and I will admit now that I turn all of those down.  It's just not worth all the hassle for just a few hours.  (Overnight is a different story.)

 photo MORNFLAKE-Full_Colour_Landscape_Logo_with_keyline_zpsvlnqva1l.jpg

I am no stranger to the Mornflake brand of oats.  They have been my oats of choice for quite a while now.   I am very fond of their old fashioned Rolled Oats.  I like the big flakes and chewy nutty texture.  They've been milling oats in the South Cheshire countryside since 1675, making them the longest established miller of oats and cereal in the UK, having handed the business down through fifteen generations of the Lea family.  As one of the few remaining, independent, major, family-owned British cereal businesses they are passionate about what they do.   Mornflake is actually one of the few cereal brands which selects, mills and packs everything into each box of cereal that is sold.  They are comitted to Provenance and take great care to ensure that only the finest blend of the Oat harvest is included in every box of Mornflake cereal and that each box can be traced with exactness right back to where it originated . . .  in a field.

This promised to be a very exciting day for us indeed.  And to top it off, it was the hottest 1st of July on record!

 photo Welcome_zpsdivvhoc6.jpg

It was a very quick and simple train journey to Crewe from Chester.  (Crewe is actually very close.)   A coach was waiting for us at the station and we were driven to the Mornflake Mill, where we were warmly welcomed with teas/coffees/water/juice and all of the bloggers were able to get acquainted with each other and Maria (that's their PR girl in the apron at the front) filled us in on what  our itinerary of the day was going to be.   Maria was my contact with Mornflake throughout this whole experience,  and I have to say, she was a real gem.   Very friendly and helpful every step of the way.    I think the Mornflake people are really blessed to have her on board.


 photo Breakfast in the Oatfield_zpsshbfwiie.jpg

After the welcome etc. and once everyone had arrived we were all taken in a coach to one of the nearby farms (Rushton Farm, owned by Liz and Hartley Rushton) which  grow some of the Oats for Mornflake for a beautiful breakfast in an Oat Field.   (They have oats being grown all over the UK, including Gluten Free Oats on a remote Island in the North of Scotland.) Being treated to breakfast in an oat field was a first for me.   A pathway had been cut through the oats leading to a Marquis right in the middle of the field.  We were in for a real treat!


 photo 2_zpsb291s6vg.jpg

There's Maria leading the way and if you look really closely, you can see Todd just behind her shoulder in his iconic ball cap and stripey shirt!


 photo arriving 2_zpsktwbqunp.jpg

Lots of cameras at the ready and smiles for the day we were about to begin to enjoy in earnest.

 photo seed to bowl_zpssav3xzon.jpg

Our welcome sign.  Very well appointed.


 photo table setting 2_zpsnj2lynmq.jpg

The table inside the Marquis was beautifully set, with place cards and everything laid out in such an attractive manner, breakfast menu at the side and a small sheaf of oats garnishing each place setting.


 photo breakfast is served_zpszalmgqph.jpg

It truly was gorgeous and we were treated to a lovely breakfast which began with a lovely little pot of Bircher Muesli, which was made with Mornflake Organic Oats and served with local Cheshire Strawberries and fresh cream.  It was topped with a sprinkling of chopped Pistachio nuts and was absolutely delicious.   I really enjoyed it very much.   I was actually sitting next to a blogging friend Helen Costello that I have known for a while now and this was our first time meeting in person!  Another bonus of the day!


 photo snapping food_zpsryzqpycl.jpg

Everyone was busy clicking photographs and chatting away.    It was great fun.   We were also treated to bowls of Mornflake Oat-bran Nuts & Seeds Granola, served with honey made on the Rushton Farm, fresh fruit and Greek Yogurt, and Mornflake Homemade Oaty Soda Bread served with a delicious selection of homemade local jams and marmalade.  It was all very, very delicious!


 photo farmer_zpscnrzmehv.jpg

Hartley took us through all the ins and outs of growing oats.   We learned from him everything there was to know about the process from the seeds going in the ground to the harvest.  He was very informative and willing to answer all of our questions.


 photo Learning more_zpszxtiplif.jpg

I, for one, really learned a lot.   That is one aspect of these trips that I really enjoy.   I love knowing how the food I eat is grown and getting to learn a bit about the people and farms that grow it, and I am especially interested in the Provenance of  the things I eat.


 photo table setting_zpsqwg8jxfg.jpg

After breakfast we were taken back to the Mill where we were priviledged to learn more about Oats itself and the history of the Mornflake Mill given to us by the present generation of the Lea family.  It was really very informative and I also enjoyed this part of the day very much.   We were also treated to a lovely luncheon/tea with all sorts of finger foods/sandwiches/cakes, etc.  We were really treated royally and I was so interested in learning more about Oats in general and some of the things which go into the production of a cereal I really enjoy.

After that we were all kitted out in protective gear so that we could have an actual tour of the Mill itself and experience what goes into the production of their cereals right from it coming from off the delivery lorries and into the mill . . .  and down into the boxes and packages which land on our grocery shop shelves.

Cameras were not allow in this area due to safety concerns.   Lets just say that it was hot, very informative, noisy and I never walked up so many flights of stairs in my life.  I finally had to give up after about 12 flights because my arthritic knees would not go any further, but what I did see was very interesting and Todd finished up the tour for me.   A very kind employee took me back down and escorted me back to the headquarters, and would have stayed with me for the duration, but I wouldn't have it.    I didn't think it was necessary for him to have to babysit me and let him off.  ☺

What followed was goodbyes, presentation of goodie bags, group photos, etc.  and before we knew it we were on the train heading back to Chester, after having had a truly fabulous day.

 photo oats_zpskwukjhk0.jpg

I have to say that this was one of the nicer blogger experiences I have had, second only to the Turkey Awards (and I don't think anything will ever top that!).   We were treated with such courtesy and genuine appreciation for what we as bloggers do.  It was informative and just a really top, top experience.    Every detail was well planned and organized and Todd and I both just really, really enjoyed our day!

Many thanks to the people at Mornflake  for providing us with what will in all likelihood be one of the highlights of our 2015 summer!  With special thanks to Maria, for all that she did to make it happen, and happen so smoothly!  You're a treasure!


 photo DSCN2216_zpsje7jqkdo.jpg

This is another highlight of our 2015 summer and will eclipse all the rest!  Look at what arrived yesterday in the post!  Squeee!  (Did I just say that?  Yes I did!)  Our official Missionary Badges.  Now we can not only be Missionaries, but LOOK like Missionaries!  So excited!  I can't wait to put mine on and go out and about on Missionary work!  So proud to be serving the Church in this capacity.  I've been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time and I am so blessed to be able to do it with my very best friend of all.  ☺

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day . . .


❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥
"It is by faith that you can lay hold upon every good thing. 
Just as you are marked as a target by the enemy of righteousness, 
you have been protected and watched over by 
your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They know you. 
They know all the forces and individuals around you. 
They know what is ahead of you."
~President Henry B Eyring
❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥.¸¸.✿¨¯`❥✻❥

I love knowing that I have angels watching over me . . . to help to hold the enemy at bay.

 photo DSCN2133_zpsoz2uppy3.jpg

There's something tasty and cool brewing in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Peach Melba.   Tasty tasty!


Happy Fourth of July to all my American family and friends.   Happy Saturday to everyone else.  Hope it is a good one!  Don't forget!


═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════


And I do too!

PS - I have my second great nephew on the way as I write this.   Praying all goes well for Ben and Krissy!

PSS - Atlas has landed, 7 pounds six ounces, mother and baby doing well and dad over the moon.


8 comments:

  1. Good Morning Marie,

    That was an amazing experience. How wonderful to have your breakfast in an oat field. It sounds delicious.

    Enjoy your fourth party. I hope the missionaries have the best time possible.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Suzan, I am sure they will enjoy themselves! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations to you all. A new baby is such a treasure.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you Suzan! It sure is! xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a wonderful experience that must have been for the two of you. I'm glad that Todd got to go with you ! I do love oats and use them in lot of things besides the cereal I eat. We do tend to take things like that for granted until we see what it takes to make them. Hope you have a lovely 4th there too !

    ReplyDelete
  6. Marie your pics are GREAT!
    Fun fun fun..

    this post is just full of happy..
    you know ..you could have been a midwife on CTM..and I know you will beam w/ pride wearing the badges.
    Again have fun today..and congrats on the new babe in the fam:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks Pam! I don't go anywhere now unless they are willing to take Todd along with me. We now come as a pair! And that's how I like it! I got to try Bircher Muesli which is muesli which has been soaked overnight with fruit Pam and it was perfectly lovely! Happy 4th to you! xoxo

    Monique, it was such a hot day, we were all literally glowing from heat and exhaustion! It was very hot under the marquis. I did not think I would ever feel cool again! Seriously, but it was a really fun day irregardless and we were treated royally! New babies are always fun! I am happy for my sister. This is only her second grandchild. Her first grandson is already 18 years old! So she has waited a very long time. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy that great nephew arrived safely; sweet.
    I enjoyed reading about your tour. It does sound so interesting. I love oats too. A favorite stable in our diet. However, this sounds like such a yummy brand and learning how it goes from seed to cereal is fun.
    I am so excited for you to put those badges on and do this great work. I had the hardest time when we got released not wearing the badge anymore. Our mission was such a great experience. My husband is retiring in August and we will apply for another mission.
    Sending love and hugs your way~

    ReplyDelete

Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!