Farm Stay AGM and Bradley Burn Farm Shop!!

After our big night out on Monday it was soon 6am and I was up and off to the Farm Stay UK AGM which this year was held at Slaley Hall near Hexham in Northumberland. Unfortunately Ive not been to the last couple of AGM's so it was a great chance to catch up with the many friends I made around the UK during my time on the Farm Stay Board of Directors. We had a lot of laughs, an awful lot of food and I wouldnt have missed it for anything.
After a fab breakfast yesterday morning I set off for home. I headed over the moors into Weardale and went along to Wolsingham to visit Bradley Burn Farm Shop. This is the brainchild of the Stephenson family and is run by Christopher and his wife Jill. Christophers Mum Judith was on the Board of FS UK with me and we sat in their wonderful restaurant ,within the shop, and talked for ages. We started off with coffee but were still talking at lunchtime so we had really tasty homemade soup and the most delicious cheese scones Ive ever had!!
If you ever find yourself in Weardale go and have a look in the shop. Its packed with local and regional food and theres a big map on the wall with pins in denoting each of their suppliers locations. They even had Mackenzies of Blubberhouses Bacon!!

Mackenzies Smokehouse

I think Im going stir crazy!! All this snow means my car hasnt moved now for 4 days, which is unheard of!!.This afternoon though the sun came out and I decided I would go for a walk.
I set off through the land and went to see the cattle on the edge of the moor who were all busy eating the silage Chris had taken for them. I then wandered up the hill towards the road, in some areas this proved to be a mistake as the snow was above the tops of my wellies!!.
When I got to the road I went to Mackenzies Smokehouse. Their shop is just wonderful and the choice and quality of food is exceptional. Its great to have it as a local store.
I bought some of their home cured Bacon for breakfast tomorrow and some eggs as Ive promised Chris Yorkshire Puddings for tea, along with Roast Beef from our own farm, and as our hens are on a winter go slow I didnt want to have to go back on my word.
The shop is all dressed for Christmas and looking really good and mouth watering. Im meeting friends there for lunch in the Restaurant next thursday and can't wait.
On the way back I met one of Mackenzies neighbours!! This Highland cow was trying to get a drink of water!