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Hanami at Brogdale






We had a Japan-esque experience yesterday in Faversham, Kent when we went for the Hanami event at Brogdale Farm.  Jixian first suggested it last week after our SG Day and I loved the idea of it immediately.  We were hoping for great weather so we could have a picnic outdoors under a canopy of cherry blossom trees.  Indeed it was!

 


Faversham is about an hour's drive from our place, and together all 6 of us went in two cars.  We met at Brogdale Farm and before the tour started, we left all our picnic food with the reception lady who would then drive it to the picnic area for us when the tour ended.  Our walking tour guide was Ann, who explained to us the different types of trees and orchards in their 150 hectare farm.  The main reason for this farm is for research purposes, such as cultivating apples in the global climate we have now, how to grow bigger, sweeter apples or pears, etc.  However some of them are for sale, since this farm is huge.  March is the flowering season and so we were greeted with flowering fruit trees.  I have to say not everything is not in full bloom yet but it was good enough for us :)  It was an informative tour.  There are at least 300 different types of varieties of apples on this farm.  Did you know the average life of an apple tree is 80 years?  And pear trees can live for more than 100 years.  In fact they have a few really, really old pear trees that "just keep going, and going" according to Ann.








Finally the tour ended and we were brought to our picnic area which they have already provide a blue canvas mat on the floor for us, and strung a few pink lanterns for us.  How cute!  Our food were soon delivered and yes, the hanami picnic officially started!  It was sunshine (and breeze - which we didn't need actually cos it was like 16deg, not exactly super warm weather).  Forward thinking me actually brought a throw with me and the other girls were envious of me hehe.





Had to bring our SG Day complimentary picnic mat.  Really retro calendar of this March 2014 and I kinda like it!

We shared our stash of food - fruits, breadsticks and dip, sandwiches, crisps, juices… there was such a spread!  The conversation went on and on, and we were there for over two hours.  We decided that lunch was over and someone suggested driving down to Whitstable.  Ahh Whitstable - do you remember me blogging about it?  K and I have been there twice now - the first was 2 years ago the day right after he proposed where we were both kinda dazed with happiness, and the second time was with the Geesons last summer where we visited both Herne Bay and Whitstable.

Typical seafront houses

Wheelers Oyster Bar is the all famous restaurant and like every trip we would buy some fresh oysters and eat outside the shop cos it is always full.  Rongxuan was telling us to book a table here you need at least a week in advance.  And considering this is a small coastal town, this speaks volumes.  I am so tempted to come back again with a dinner reservation with K for a special occasion.


Swears by this rule

We walked around in hunt of shabby chic shops for Rongxuan and me (we are massive fans).  But unfortunately most shops close at 4pm in this town so we didn't get to see much (nor buy much to K's relief).  Finally it was 5-ish and with nowhere to go, K suggested the group of us come back to ours and he would cook his speciality - beef steak for everyone.  I have to say I was surprised (in a good way) because he has been the driver for the whole day, and to drive more than an hour back and start cooking for 5 people is no mean feat.  He proceeded to go to a local butcher's to get some beef steak and then some vegetables as sides and off we went - back to ours.

Chef Ong whipped up his mean steak with oyster sauce (yes for real, oyster sauce is his secret marinade) for us, and everyone was both thankful and impressed at the same time.  I think this is what I love about him.  Being generous and kind to friends without any second thoughts.  And right after everyone has left our place, before I could volunteer to wash up the dishes, he went straight for it.  Hurray for a good hubby!

The chef and his happy diners


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