There are some fairly horrible things going on in the world at the moment, and once again children seem to be caught up in it. Everything's future depends on our subsequent generations so surely: children = nurture. Not children = violence, destruction and abuse.
Looking out across Robin Hood and the surrounding countryside on this beautiful morning I am reminded, once again, how lucky I am.

CRUMBS!

CRUMBS!!
                    If you'll pardon the pun, it's ages since I blogged. We've been to Skiathos again since the last blog. Oh well back to the grindstone and nose firmly placed upon it. Nothing much has changed here except you will notice that the quality of our home baked bread has improved. This is because I am doing ALL scone and bread baking now, moving on soon to sultana and fruit cakes, tea cakes etc. Jacky is loathed to admit that my bread is better and says it is because she taught me how to do it!!! Ha ha!! Come and see us soon to sample all the Tea Rooms fayre. J.

So it is now 1 week since we returned from the beautiful island of Skiathos and we have already booked our next holiday.....to the beautiful island of Skiathos. We shall be back there in September and I will post dates later. We have above some boring holiday snaps 1. Jacky with Leica 2. John with Leica 3. The view from my sunbed, all taken on Achladies beach where Leica lives. Now, in order for us to pay for our return trip we are now in the serious business of selling teas, coffees and soups and cakes!!
The Union Jack is flying today to mark the Diamond Jubilee of 60 years of our Cool Queen being on the throne. She is fantastic and we are all so lucky to be around to see Her celebrations. On this very (slightly damp) British Day come and have a great British cuppa and cake.

If it aint broke why change it?

Having recently mastered my blog publishing page some dolt at google or wherever has changed this blog composing page. Boil them in oil, put them on the rack, put them in the stocks, slam the iron maiden closed on them. There is a wonderful chapter entitled "The Overhauler" in "Three Men on the Bummell" by Jerome K Jerome on the subject of altering things needlessly. I will read it to this numb nut while he is impaled on a spike.

Well, despite the grotty weather we are getting lots of enquiries and bookings from people intent on staycationing in UK this year. Certain dates are proving very popular eg: Bank Holidays, Jubilee Weekend etc. So the moral of the story is, as Fred Pontin used to say, with a cheesy grin, in that dreadful 1970's advert, "so don't forget.....book early" .....

Nonagenarian Birthday Feast.

    So, it's howling down with rain on a Thursday in April, and you want to spend a special day with your mates. For his 90th birthday all Digger wanted to do was go for a walk, stop off for a "brief" pub lunch and then top it off with a Cream Tea with us. Once again, somebody very special makes us feel so honoured that they wish to come to our Tea Rooms. Happy Birthday from John & Jacky.

Welcome to our Dutch Guests.

       Part of the warm welcome we give to our guests from overseas is to have their National Flag flying on their arrival. This weekend we have two gentlemen from Holland one of whom (wait for it) lives in a windmill. So my essential purchase for the week was a flag for them. I now have lots of flags (once again much to Jackys annoyance) and am looking to increase my range. So: Overseas Visitors welcome!



                                                                                      

 Today is the Birthday of Her Majesty Queen  Elizabeth II, so I have apologised to our Dutch friends and      run up the Union Flag, just for today.

We're not JUST open at weekends! Business Lunch?

Don't forget that our Tea Rooms at Robin Hood are open Wednesday and Thursday as well as the weekends. All Jackys usual treats are avaiable mid-week as well as some new specials. Today one of my (many) favourites: Jacket Spuds! Looks like the weather for it as well, but don't let that put you off; the fire in the dining room is lit so all is warm and cosy. Usual popular fillings available with the Spuds so all a very healthy part of your 5 a day (plus loads of butter and salt if req'd!) Supplemented with a large pot of tea and perhaps rounded off with a cake? What better way to spend lunchtime, whether on a work break or social trip. Come and see us soon!

You can't beat a bit of crumpet!

Jacky has made fresh crumpets again today! Delicious........special offer today Crumpet and Butter 60p each! Just use this code "ooooooh Matron" to get your crumpet. The hens and ducks are laying like crazy so £1.00 per half doz on hen AND duck eggs today! Also bread and butter pudding, but I don't want to sell too much of that 'cos I want some for tea.

Strange things are hapnin'.....to me (and the weather).

After the beautiful weather we had in March with t-shirts and sun stroke whilst pressure washing the patios, we have had a brief return to Winter as you can see from the snowy gentleman lurking behind the daffodils. Our thanks to the 2 young men staying at End Cottage last week for leaving frosty with us for a while. And now it's Easter weekend, End Cottage full again with many more enquiries than Easters available! Also a pleasure to welcome back returning guests to the B&B. Also a pleasure to have had grandson during the week and now 3 x granddaughters this weekend!!

Award from our cyclists.

    We are very proud and honoured to have been awarded 2nd place again in the Sheffield and District Cyclist Touring Club Most Popular Cafe 2011. One of the most gratifying and interesting parts of our job is meeting people from many different places, from all over the world, all with so many different interests. Walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers, nature lovers, motorcyclists, regular customers or those just passing through. Many of our cycling friends have been coming to us from the start. It is always a pleasure to see and serve you refreshments on your travels and we thank you very much indeed for this award.

Hot Summer (Spring) Days!

This beautiful weather is making us very busy, for the time of year! So we are gradually catching up with all our spring cleaning. Here we have a photo showing tables and chairs cleaned and painted and the terraces all pressure washed and clean ready for our customers.

Harley D's hit Robin Hood!

1. What a fantastic day at the Tea Rooms today! Bang on time this morning the peace was shattered at Robin Hood by 35 Harley Davidson motorbikes arriving. Many thanks to Ian Jennings from Robin Hood Harley Davidson (no connection except by name!) www.robinhoodharleydavidson.com/ for bringing his group up to us for a pit stop for all riders to partake of tea/coffee and scones. They all seemed to enjoy their break and we were proud and honoured to have them here and there fantastic machines all lined up outside, gleaming in the glorious sunshine. You were all very welcome and we hope you can call back to see us again. PS thanks for the T-shirt Ian, & I hope Oakford Cottage Tea Rooms at Robin Hood can supply Robin Hood Harley Davidson with refreshments again in the near future!


2. Also a fantastically busy day for us today. Many thanks to all customers who were so very patient and kind, and a very big sorry to all those who couldn't get in today while we closed to regroup and wash up. It is sometimes difficult for just the two of us to cope with the tremendous patronage we are so lucky to enjoy. We do so hate having to say "sorry we are full" to you on these lovely sunny weekends, especially those who are on foot, but at times we regret we have no choice but to clear up and have a breather!

Our New Website & MOLES.

Many thanks to everyone sending enquiries via our new website. It is very encouraging to see a very marked increase in enquiries coming in for the B&B and End Cottage. If anyone needs a word of recommendation for the outstanding service offered by Dina and Pat (my very patient website ladies) at http://www.derbyshirebusinesshelp/ , just come to me.
My bad back has put me a bit behind on gardening and cleaning up outside ready for the better weather, but Jacky has been helping by cleaning and painting/staining the outside tables and chairs. Many thanks to Pauline (Truffles Mum) for the gift of some more tables and chairs.
First cut of the lawn today. My back is holding up really well. A similar recommendation to the above goes to the expertise and kindness of Rachel at Qi to health in Crich for my osteopathy treatment. The lawn feels really lumpy, possibly my sensitive back, more possibly MOLE subsidence. If anyone would like some MOLES, I have plenty, free for collection.

Oakford Cottage Blog: Mothers Day ideal gift! Look at our cake plate sta...

Oakford Cottage Blog: Mothers Day ideal gift! Look at our cake plate sta...: Mothers Day is this Sunday the 18th March, come to us for morning coffee, light lunches or afternoon tea. An ideal gift for Mothers Day is o...

Mothers Day ideal gift! Look at our cake plate stands!

Mothers Day is this Sunday the 18th March, come to us for morning coffee, light lunches or afternoon tea. An ideal gift for Mothers Day is one of our Cake Plate Stands, many to choose from in our selection of 1,2 & 3 tier china AND glass plate and bowl stands. Look at our website http://www.oakfordcottage.co.uk/  on the Tea Rooms page or Special Offers!

Happy Birthday Jacky

Jackys birthday today, so had a proper day off rummaging around junk shops looking for tat to put in the house. I got a dead cool crumb dustpan and brush, no good waiter should be without one. So if you find me sweeping crumbs up around your plate it means you've overstayed your welcome, especially if I do my Basil Fawlty and get you across the knuckles with it!! Don't mention the war.

HAL 9000 Series Computer

"Alter the time on the blog clock please Hal"
" Sure thing Dave, Nooooo Problemo, but I'm not going to open the pod bay door"

Time and Tide

21.14

At the 3rd stroke

20.55

Stupid o'clock.

Up at silly o'clock today, lots to do. Beautiful day yesterday and lots of new faces coming to the Tea Rooms, the "Secret Cafe"! So many people say "we never knew you were here"..... Soups sold out, scones nearly all gone & my back held out ok!

Tea & Coffee offer this morning!

Just look at the beautiful view this morning from the terrace! We are so lucky to live and work here, one of the reasons for us doing what we do is to share this with our customers. Mention this blog and get a standard tea or coffee for 80p this morning and sit and enjoy. J&J.

Upright

Feeling better and am far more upright. I think that my osteopath has made me an inch taller. More importantly I am able to serve customers in the Tea Room. Nice to see so many today, especially some summer customers coming to check their caravans prior to the holiday season. Still lots to do here to get ready for the summer and we are catching up! Clocks go forward soon, daffodils coming out, Derbyshire coming into its best. J&J.

Spineless

Quiet day, for me anyway. I am about as much use as a chocolate fireguard with my back like this, ho hum. Jacky has done all the work and customers have been lovely asking if they can help.

British Pie Week 5th - 11th March

Another slovenly day due to this wretched bad back. Thanks to Keri 1 for being patient during my music lesson, Ceri 2 for hoovering round me and thanks to Dina & Pat at http://www.derbyshirebusinesshelp.co.uk/  for further instructions on updating and upkeeping or brill new website. Have just noticed it is British Pie Week soon,  mmmmmmmmmmmm, pies, must get Jacky to do one of her Picnic Pies!

Testing Food

As the proprietor of a B&B it is my onerous task to have to visit local establishments to test the evening meals on offer in order that I am able to recommend them to our guests. A burden that I must shoulder once again this evening as we go to test the cuisine at The Cliff Inn at Crich. Will report back later once face has been stuffed. J.

Bad Backs and Websites

Confined to barracks by my wretched bad back I have just about finished the website and would ask you to read it if you can as I would appreciate new pairs of eyes to pick up on mistakes or poor construction etc. Thanks, John.

Tea Rooms getting busier.

Todays spring-like weather has brought people out of hibernation and the Tea Rooms has been busier today. Jacky is now just about caught up with baking after her holidays, so stocks are improving, apart from a raid by the Phantom Cup Cake Muncher! Karl and Lilli visiting tonight, Karl working out estimates for further maintenance and improvements on the Cottages, it sometimes seems never ending!! Also lots of cleaning, pressure washing, creosoting etc. to do, so busy period now as we get ready for the holiday season. Add to this a mega amount of flute practice ready for my Grade 4 and an imminent concert, so busy, busy.

Sunny Saturday!!

A beautiful sunny day here today, Derbyshire coming in to its best as Spring approaches! Daffodils starting to poke through, won't be long till the wild garlic starts to come up and then Jacky will be doing Ramson Soup. Need to know more? Watch the news page for details of when Ramson Soup is available!!!!!

Oakford Cottage Blog: Our Peacock at Oakford cottage in Robin Hood, Wha...

Oakford Cottage Blog: Our Peacock at Oakford cottage in Robin Hood, Wha...: We hope you will agree - Beautiful, come and see for yourself at Oakford Cottage . Whether for a cup of tea, a stay over in our Bed and B...