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Picnic

Monday 30 July 2012
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We had a week of blissful summer where the temperature topped 28˚C  (82˚F) for a week. If you live in the U.K, you'll know what a miraculous event that was. Tiphaine, a good friend and I scrambled around and organized an impromptu and simple picnic before she and her family returned to France for their summer holidays. 

It was a rather hectic day so I decided to make sandwiches using freshly baked baguettes from our local M&S (love them!) and filling them with aioli, home made breaded chicken and grilled courgettes. Melons and plums are in season now so they make great dessert without resorting to sugary treats.

Perhaps I'm a little superstitious but I still find it mildly amusing and unnerving that the cemetery grounds around the Cathedral is a local hang-out where people can often be found lying on top of tombstones sunbathing. It's a little like lying near a skeleton with a single slab of stone separating you from touching the bones. Ew....





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The city council has placed two huge screens near the Cathedral for the duration of the Olympic games. It was a once in a lifetime experience to join thousands of others to watch the Opening Ceremony there. What an electrifying atmosphere, cheering the teams as they walked into the stadium. Danny Boyle did an incredible job with the performances. It was funny, touching and unforgettable.

Thankfully, it was still warm enough to warrant another picnic the next day. We headed out to the Cathedral grounds and placed ourselves right in front of the screen. As we sat on the rug nibbling on our dinner, the sun set over the hills and the dusky rays shone on the majestic Cathedral. Life couldn't get any better than this.

How was your weekend? Anyone glued to the Olympic games like I'd been? Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram.



37 comments:

  1. I totally share your thing about lying around tombstones! Glad to hear you guys have better weather this week ;) Chicken looks delicious and I love that tote!

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  2. That top photograph is stunning.

    Oh and I love sitting on tombstones and talking and laughing, it's a mento mori and in away I think it makes the dead part of the living too, they become less forgotten.

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  3. Great pictures and how blessed we are to be able to picnic for a week, I certainly enjoyed mine down the beach last week.

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  4. Oh my please let me join you st the next picnic. It seemed like a beautiful day to be out and yuymmy food make me drool. Believe it ir not, we have never had a family picnic. What a shame. You inspire me to do one when the weather cools down a bit.

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  5. Yum. Food looks delicious and weather looks gorgeous. Don't you just love summer?
    Beauty and Fashion in Seattle | Cheap Makeup Reviews

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  6. Lovely photos and it must have been wonderful to soak up the atmosphere with everyone around. I have actually found myself watching the olympics today strangely enough. Something to do with Tom Daley. I'm not sure I actually fancy him - he's hardly legal - but strangely I feel drawn. Very worried. However, he features in Grazia's COL (column of lust) so I think that must mean it's okay. I watched the ceremony and thought it certainly had its moments of greatness and some slightly laboured bits but altogether a good show. Especially when the cameras panned to the queen who looked a little "bored" by the time the GB team came on. Cue hoots of laughter from myself and hubs.

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  7. Your pictures make me feel like I'm there- so crisp.

    It's been so hot here (too many hundred degree plus days), but I love when the weather is just right for dining outdoors. I've been making good use of my terrace and rooftop. The food looks so yummy.

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  8. HERE IN DUBAI PICNIC IS A TREND DURING THE WINTER AND WE NORMALLY STAY THE WHOLE DAY AT THE PARK.. I MISS WINTER :(

    KISSES FROM :
    A SMALL BLOG WITH A BIG HEART
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES DAILY where Fashion and Food collide!
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.com/

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  9. You have my mouth watering with that delish looking chickypoo! So envious of those temps - send them over to NorCal!Only got a glance at the Olympics but must watch more on the internet (hard to get a chance to get on the TV with my kids around)

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  10. Such lovely pictures and that food looks absolutely delicious, specifically that sandwich looks very yummy! I've been watching the Olympic games a lot this weekend and am planning to watch it as much as possible! Have a great week! :)

    http://www.logomania.nl

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  11. Can't think of a better weekend! We were also glued to the TV - love, love, love the Olympics!

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  12. What a lovely little picnic! Every creation you make sounds so incredibly delicious - you need to come up with your own cook book! ;) That must have been awesome to gather with others to view the Opening Ceremony! I thought Danny Boyle did a great job too - it was awesome! Still getting over some jet lag but had a nice final weekend in Germany! :)

    xxTheresa

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  13. hmm yeah i'm not a fan of hanging out in a cemetary for fun.. i always thought it was weird when ppl picnic'd by tombstones i'd be too scared something might "follow" me home haha

    but your picnic foods look delectable!! especially your roast chicken and those snap peas! delish!!

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  14. These photos are stunning. Love how sharp they are.

    Sheinside GIVEAWAY

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  15. That is one legit picnic. I'd love to be in London right now when the weather is cooperating. Get outside and enjoy it while you can!

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  16. It was a great week for picnics - perhaps not today though lol. I was meant to go to the London screening of the opening ceremony at one of the parks but found out they were charging £55 to sit on a patch of grass - no thanks, ended up watching it at a French restaurant. Im sooooooooooooo excited as I will be attending the Women's Gymnastic Trampoline this Saturday - yey feeling really patriotic at the mo, Britians Male Gymnast team did so well!!! GO TEAM GB!!!!

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  17. Must be fun to be in London with the Olympics on.
    I don't think I would ever sunbake on a tombstone...creepy!

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  18. You've inspired me to have a picnic very soon! Looks lovely, my friend!!

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  19. its great that you´re having great time there!!! i love your picnic style.. because I usually used plastic or disposable plates :(
    i also love your shots.. you always have those stunning and sharp pictures!!! now i really miss using my canon 450D!!!
    take care dear. xoxo, Haus of Gala

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  20. Looks like so much fun!! I wouldve indulged in a nice picnic like that!!! :) I miss you, girl! I have to spend more time in the UK soon so we can go out again! xo

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  21. Looks like an amazing way to spend the weekend, nothing beats a picnic outside in the summer. Those sandwiches look so good too.

    Stay in the Lines

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  22. It's always nice to be able to enjoy a picnic when the weather permits so good on you for squeezing in two. That spread looks lovely and how fun that you can watch the Olympics at the same time.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  23. This looks so lovely! Obviously if I tried to picnic in Hong Kong I'd get ambushed in two seconds flat by the nasty humid weather...!

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  24. Your food for the picnic looks absolutely delicious! I love your Barbous bag too, I need one in my life.

    xx Jenee C.
    http://camomeetscouture.blogspot.com

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  25. seems like you had a wonderful day!!! and the food looks delicious! would you like following each other?
    xoxo
    eve

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  26. what a beautiful day.. and I agree you take gorgeous pic! The chicken looks delicious and healthy. Please share the recipe when you have time:)

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    1. BTW, regarding the recipe for the chicken. It's actually really easy and involves very little washing up. I use corn fed free range chicken. Sprinkle sea salt, freshly ground pepper, juice of 1 lemon, fresh thyme, as many garlic cloves as you can tolerate and enough olive oil to keep the meat moist. Massage them in. Cut the lemon up into quarters and chuck them in as well.

      As for the peppers, I use the sweet pointy ones. Cut them into big slices (they shrink a lot), sprinkle sea salt, freshly ground pepper and olive oil and shove them into the oven with the chicken. You'll have to take the peppers out 30mins later but you'll need an hour for the chicken portions.

      I also use the oil from the roast to stir fry the runner beans. Sprinkle a little sea salt and freshly ground pepper. That's it.

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  27. That looks like a day well spent.
    Your food looks so delish.

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  28. I love your pictures! And I must try and recreate that baguette sandwich, it looks delicious!

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  29. This sounds heavenly!! I LOVE picnics ... and how amazing that they had those screens. The food looks so yummy, and with it being cool, sounds like the perfect Summer day.

    xo everything-pretty.com

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  30. Beautiful photos - and the picnic meal looks delicious!

    (and thanks for following!)

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  31. Your picnic looks so fun! So glad to hear that you are getting some sunnier weather there :)

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  32. what a cute picnic. everything looks super yummy and getting to watch the olympics on a huge screen w other fans is a huge plus!! i wish there was a big fat screen near where i am.

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  33. Your picnic looks lovely!! I'm so jealous that you get to watch the Olympics on a huge screen with other fans! How fun is that!!! I so wish I was in London.

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  34. Such amazing photo's. I wish I was there!

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  35. Such a lovely picnic day :)

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