Farmers Market at the Cathedral

I've seen the farmers market a few times now set up by the cathedral. I bought some very nice bread and scones and the free range eggs are cheaper than the supermarket

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!

It's chip week!

All this week is chip week (that's 'fries' to our American friends!). I must say that Winchester lacks a proper central chip shop (sorry, but I am far too lazy to go all the way to St Cross for my chips!) I like chips, with lots of salt and vinegar, but I hardly ever have them to be honest. When stopped by some tourists in town and asked where the nearest chip shop was the only place I could think of was this place in Jewry Street...

Caracoli

This is a new coffee shop that has just opened in Winchester. Despite the recession apparently the owners had to wait 2 years for a vacant unit in the High Street. The previous occupants Shakeaway have recently moved round the corner.

The cafe also serves lovely cakes I'm reliably informed that are made down the road in Twyford.

Yummy!

This is watercress and cheese bread or loaf (can't remember exactly what they were called) that were on sale last week at the Hampshire Farmer's Market. They were absolutely delicious! This area of Hampshire is renowned for Watercress - we have a Watercress Line (a vintage trainline), a Watercress Tour & Watercress Festival and even Watercress itself! Although this bread was delicious when I think of watercress it always reminds me of school dinners when I was sure it was just some kind of clover they'd pulled out of the school playing field!

Crafts at the Library

At the library/Winchester Discovery Centre there are a number of craft groups, there's a Knit & Natter group once a week during the day and a weekly craft group in the evening. Here are some of their creations, knitted cupcakes and a chocolate chip cookie!

Tea or Coffee?

A snap from the cafe at the Hospital of St Cross

Tea Tales

Until 11 September at Winchester Discovery Centre (formerly know as the library!) is the Tea Tales exhibition. Hampshire County Council's Museum Service is displaying their finest china, oldest tea pots and fanciest tea gowns, to tell the fascinating history of tea. There are also a number of tea related events are being held, including a tea dance, afternoon tea and a Mad Hatters Tea party for children.

Ice Cream

I featured an ice cream van a couple of weeks ago on the blog, and the other day I saw this more traditional looking ice cream seller outside the cathedral. If you look closely you can see he has a bell instead of the ice cream tune to attract attention!

Ice Cream van

Summer is on its way, I'll have a 99 please

In the UK these ice creams with a flake are often called '99s' - according to the Internet they are called this because many ice cream sellers in the fifties were Italian. In the days of the monarchy in Italy the King had an elite guard consisting of 99 soldiers. Subsequently anything really special or first class was known as "99".