Tickety Boo Beer Gardens

Dear chaps, Spring is most certainly upon us and if one is lucky enough to be enjoying the warm weather then why not take advantage of the Great British Beer Garden?

George and I have listed a few suggestions of the great and the good Beer Gardens:

The Ship, Noss Mayo, Devon
Set in one of the prettiest villages in Devon, The Ship’s garden sits surveying the town quay. The view takes in bobbing boats, hungrily circling seagulls and a gentle estuary bordered by forested hilltops. If one arrives by boat one can tie up outside. The food is simply tickety boo and the beers are well kept. 
- Find out more

The Bell, Aldworth, Berkshire
The Bell is everything one could hope for in an English village pub! The interior is creaky and quirky and excellently kept ales are joined by guest brews. But it’s the quiet, old-fashioned cottagey garden, evoking a gentler England that makes it truly spiffing.

- Find out more

The Windsor Castle, Kensington, London
This super pub is rightly known for having one of the best beer gardens in London. Enclosed by lofty, ivy-cloaked houses, it feels protected and removed from London’s chaotic rattle! Chin chin fans!

- Find out more

Manchester Attractions!

Myself and George absolutely love the super spiffing city of Manchester. We love it so much that we thought we’d share our top 5 tickety boo attractions with you our dearest fans.

5. Urbis- One can fill one’s thoughts with culture, art and local history at the spiffingly designed Urbis Museum. George loves Museums...it’s like he’s on a terribly exciting school trip.

4. The Arndale- Shoppers of the world unite in this super shopping centre. All the shops you can think of under one roof- sounds practically heavenly doesn’t one agree?

3. Spinningfields- For those chaps who like the finer things in life- Spinningfields is the perfect location of luxury shops and restauraunts. Australasia is mine and George’s favourite- try the pork belly...divine!

2. The Northern Quarter/ Afflecks Palace: This is a dream location for lovers of vintage clothes and all things terribly alternation. One can find many hidden gems in this thriving urban hub of the city.

1. The Old Wellington- George and I utterly love a good old trip to a British public house. One cannot simply find better than the oldest pub in Manchester- The Old Wellington. Chin chin to that! 

Top 10 Spiffing London Attractions

10. The Houses of Parliament- One simply can’t miss the terribly grand Houses of Parliament in London Town. There is so much history associated with this tickety boo landmark that it is definitely worth a look chaps.

9. Leicester Square- George and I love a super time at the flicks so when in London why not try to catch a spiffing premiere and mingle with the stars- rather exciting is it not!

8. Portabello Market- if one has an eye for a bargain, Portabello Market has everything you could ever need on offer! I simply love picking up a dress from there and George bought some spiffing braces!

7.Madame Tussauds- Wave with The Queen, hug David Beckham, and steal a kiss with Robert Pattinson...actually George...one thinks one should go my own to this attraction! 

6. The London Eye- I say, one of London’s newest and most recognisable icons is perfect on a clear day where one can see across the whole city.

5. London Bridge- It does make one feel awfully patriotic to see London Bridge in all its finery- however George does keep humming ‘London Bridge is falling down’ which is getting frightfully annoying now.

4. Natural History Museum- a great outing for nature buffs like George and I!

3. British Library- If you are quite the book worm, one is sure to be enthralled with The British Library! Culture, history and knowledge all in one magnificent building- super!

2. The Tower of London- Heads will most certainly roll at this momentous British landmark! From Guy Fawkes to Anne Boleyn, there is only one building to house so much ticketyboo drama!

1. Buckingham Palace- As one should know already, George and I love the Royals! Buckingham Palace in an unmissable sight and if one is awfully lucky, one might even catch a glimpse of Wills and Kate! I say, how spiffing!

I say, it's National Pie Week!

As it’s National Pie Week this week, one has conjured up a super ginger pie recipes to try! George and I adore a good British pie so no doubt we’ll be awfully busy in the kitchen this week!

APPLE - BERRY GINGER PIE

3/4 c. apple juice 50ml Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer 3 c. (12 oz.) cranberries 1 1/3 c. sugar 1/3 c. cornstarch 3 med. cooking apples (McIntosh, Jonathan), peeled, cored, chopped (about 3 c.) 1 tbsp. snipped, crystallized ginger or 1/2 tsp. ground ginger Soak cranberries in Crabbie’s overnight. Cook cranberries and apple juice, uncovered, over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes or until cranberries pop, stirring. Combine sugar and cornstarch; stir into hot cranberry mixture. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in apples and ginger. Set aside to prepare pastry. ORANGE PEEL PIE PASTRY: 1 1/4 c. flour 1 1/4 sticks butter 1 orange rind, shredded 1/4 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. sugar Mix; spread in pie pan. Pour in Apple Berry Ginger pie filling. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. Cool; decorate with orange peel and cranberries.

Can one handle the heat?

Dearest fans, George and I know you like a touch of spice but how much heat can one handle with their delicious Crabbie’s?

Ginger is a tickety boo ingredient that can be a mellow hint in one’s curry to a full-blown spiffing taste sensation!

Marvellously Mild: Crabbie’s over lashings of ice

The scrumptious gentle heat of Crabbie’s is totally spiffing over lashings and lashings of ice with a slice of lemon or lime for those super chaps that like their spice mild.

I say, that’s rather spicy: Crabbie’s with extra ginger

If one would like a little more gingery heat with their Crabbie’s, George and I grate a touch of raw root ginger into the glass for a an extra Crabbie’s kick

George, get the fire extinguisher!: Crabbie’s and a curry

George and I love to settle down in front of the box with a jolly good curry! George is quite the dare devil and loves a root-a-toot Vindaloo to compliment the heat of his Crabbie’s. Crabbie’s is the perfect accompaniment for spicy food so stock up on those chillies and chin chin!

Our Top 10 British Loves

I say, George and I are putting together a spiffing list of all things we love about Blighty ahead of Tuesday’s Brit Awards. Here’s to everything tickety boo on this super island- chin chin to that chaps!

10) The great British roast dinner.

The familiar smell of a roast dinner on a soggy Sunday afternoon is unmistakably British- George makes the most scrumptious roasties...

9) Queues

Us Brits find something so terribly comforting in a nice orderly queue- it’s enough to make one feel awfully patriotic

8) The Queen

When one thinks of Britain- one immediately thinks of dearest Lizzie herself. George often compares one to royality but personality one doesn’t see it what what.

7) Fish ‘n’ Chips

Yet another spiffing British culinary delight! One cannot beat a delicious bag of fish and chips chaps does one agree?

6) A cup of tea

One cannot underestimate the superific power of a cup of tea- it’s almost as scrumptious as a glass of Crabbie’s!

5) Stephen Fry

The dandyish dress sense and darling accent- Stephen is a fine chap and don’t tell George, but I think he’s rather dishy.

4) Rain

One always grumbles about the awfully dreary British climate, however when George and I jet off on our jollies there is nothing more awfully British then coming home to the comforting drizzle.

3)  Coronation Street

George and I simply love opening a refreshing bottle of Crabbies and settling on the sofa to a spiffing episode of Corrie. As soon as one hears the theme tune it brings a tear to one’s eye.

2) Horse Racing

George once took one to Royal Ascot and we had a rather super time at the races- it made one feel extremely proud to be British

1)      The Sea Side

Nothing says ‘by jove Britain’ more than the British seaside. Strolls along the promenade, ice creams on the pier, Punch and Judy- what is more quintessentially British than that? Rather!

Romance is not dead in the capital!

We’ve been asking some of you fine chaps about your views on romance ahead of Valentine’s Day and it appears that London is the most romantic city in the UK! I say, George and I had better pack one’s bags and head down for a chilled Crabbie’s tomorrow!

Here are our official findings from 2,000 of you totally spiffing fans:

·         London is the most romantic region this Valentine’s Day.

·         North East couples are the least traditional with only 1 in 10 set to take their partner for dinner.

·         The women of London are twice more likely to propose this leap year than Midland’s brides to be.

Valentine’s Day sees lovers expressing their feelings with flowers, chocolates and greeting cards, but a candlelit dinner tops the romance charts this 14^th February with nearly half of the nation (47%) claiming it to be the perfect Valentine’s tradition.

To prepare for the looming romantic date on Tuesday, a survey conducted on behalf of Crabbie’s revealed an interesting insight into the nation’s Ps & Qs at the dinner table and highlights what both sexes believe makes the perfect partner on a cold winter night.

The research revealed that if you come from London or Northern Ireland you’re twice as likely to wine and dine your partner (20%), than those in the North East (11%). Good news for shy grooms-to-be is that 8% of the nation’s women will take a leap of faith this year with a Valentine’s proposal.

With Valentine’s Day falling on a Tuesday this year, 1 in 5 men would rather eat an early supper, leaving more time for romance. However, over a quarter of women dream of a relaxing three course meal with wine and their loved one to accompany the food (27%). Unfortunately for 15 per cent of the nation’s wives’ and girlfriends’, romance is officially dead as their men would be more than happy to have their dinner served on their lap in front of the television!

The Crabbie’s poll also found that traditional dinner table etiquette is under threat, with only a quarter of well-mannered males (27%) ensuring they chew quietly with their mouths closed when dining in or out with their partner. The survey also revealed that half of women find their man lacking in manners, with the number one pet-hate being when their partner starts to eat before she has even finished plating up her own dinner! But 1 in 4 women are most offended when their partner adds salt or pepper before even tasting her home-cooked meal (25%).

Al Cross, of  Crabbie’s, commented: “With so many traditions slowly disappearing from today’s society, we were keen to look into which will be most missed this Valentine’s Day and also the values that the true gentleman still hold close compared to their other half.”

To celebrate Valentine’s Day in true traditional style this Tuesday 14 February, accompany your romantic dinner with a measure of Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer. Carefully selected real ginger is steeped for up to 8 weeks with citrus, herbs and spices to create a truly indulgent accompaniment to any special occasion.