Degustibus

Degustibus? I know the French word 'degustation' means a tasting, but it always sounds a little too close to 'disgusting' to me! Anyway, I'm sure these breads outside Caracoli coffee shop were very nice. On 'google-ing' I discovered that Degustibus are Artisan Bakers based in Oxfrodshire. Raisin, date and pecan loaf sounds nice!

Keeping fit

I think this is part of the Forces Fit who run outdoor military fitness classes delivered by serving/ex serving members of the armed forces. I needed a nice sit down with a cup of tea after the exertion of watching them!

Mayfest

Yesterday was Mayfest in Winchester, a celebration of traditional and contemporary music, dance and song. In the High Street they had a couple of Morris Dancing groups. I think of it as a very traditional English dance, although it's not something I've ever done, nor anyone I know of! There were some other Morris Dancers I featured on the blog back in December 2010. As you can see from the sky it's been glorious weather here most of the week!

Snow at Winnall Moors?

Over at Winnal Moors the other day the river had a strange coating on top, it almost looked like snow.

Old & New lights in Hyde

This old style street light in Hyde is actually newer than its modern looking neighbour

Kyoto Kitchen

Kyoto Kitchen in Parchment Street is due to open sometime soon, it will be the first Japanese restaurant in Winchester. The restaurant is part of a small group of Winchester restaurants which include Bengal Sage, on St George's Street, and Bangkok Brasserie, on Jewry Street. I'm not sure if I'll eat here as I don't like fish, but hopefully there's more to Japanese food than sushi.

High Street market

There have been lots of debates on the market in the High Street & I've decided that on reflection I don't really like it that much. The stalls block the entrances to shops and make it difficult to walk down the High Street at the weekend because it gets so crowded, some of the stalls sell some interesting things but there is also a lot of uninteresting stuff.

Bunting a-go-go

Winchester High Street was full of Union Jack Flags this morning. A lot of the shops have royal/British themed window displays. This of course is for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee marking 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. The main Diamond Jubilee celebrations will centre around the extended bank holiday weekend of  2-5 June.

As an aside the weather here today was cold, I'm a bit of a wimp weather-wise but I was wearing my winter coat and I was still cold....and it's nearly June!

Union Jacks

Jamie Oliver's restaurant Union Jacks has now opened in Winchester. I passed by yesterday and couldn't get close enough to the menu as there were a lot of people crowding around it (and I didn't have my glasses on me!)

It seems to have created a lot of interest in Winchester. I had a look on their website and it doesn't look too expensive, so I will give it a try sometime.

Trusty Servant

On my recent trip to Minstead in the New Forest I came across The Trusty Servant inn. I know this 'creature' is the emblem of Winchester College and read on a plaque next to the pub a 16th century saying believed to have originated from Winchester College in the days when pupils at the college had personal servants

"A trusty servants portrait you would see
This emblematic figure well survey
The porkers snout not nice in diet shows
The padlock shut no secret he'll disclose
Patient the Ass his masters wrath will bear
Swiftness in his errand the stags feet declare
Loaded is left hand apt to labour saith
The vest his neatness; the open hand his faith;
Girt with his sword, his shield upon his arm,
Himself and master he'll protect from harm"

New Forest

OK, so this isn't Winchester, but the New Forest is a short drive away from city life here and last weekend I went to Minstead in the New Forest. I love the way the ponies (and cows) just do their thing! Wander here, go down this road, stop here to eat some grass, just roaming free!

Long Tall Sally

I haven't ever been inside this shop as I often have to have normal clothes shortened! But I'm certain it has a market & they have some nice things in their window

In bloom

Baristas Coffee House

First visit to a new coffee shop in the High Street. It's an independent which is always good. Slightly away from the very centre of the High Street, much more room inside and not as pricey as the other new edition to the High Street Caracoli. I don't really 'do' coffee, but the tea was nice and other half said the coffee was good and I had a nice slice of cake. There's also free wifi.

Currys closed

It was useful to have a small branch of Currys in the High Street, I bought my laptop in there when smoke started coming out of my old one!

Sorry I haven't posted in what seems like 100 years, allsorts of things have been going at home that have kept me away & I know there's lots of things in Winchester that I've missed too!