I have to do it. I’m sorry but I simply have to talk about the weather. I don’t know if it’s just my Britishness or what, but I do know that without even trying conversation about what the weather is up flows from my mouth almost without any ability to stop it. Thankfully the weather has been glorious and I haven’t yet got to the “oh, it’s a bit hot for me” section of my boring weather chat but it will come of that I’m sure. Instead what we all have to look forward to in the next couple of weeks is small talk based around how good the weather WAS as it seems we are in for a temperature dip. See? I’m still talking weather.

And so to a topic that hinges somewhat on the… you know what – outdoor dining and BBQs. Oh the pure joy of it all. I love everything about sitting outside and enjoying some great food and drink whether at home or out and about. I must confess that even on a grey day you can often find me trying to persuade friends that its brightening so that I can woo them into an alfresco pint of Super Bock at The Square or a glass of wine at The Bull in their courtyard. Snuggly pubs and restaurants have their place but that place is for rainy, cold days. If its dry and the sun has shone at some stage that day – let’s get outside, pop a jumper on it’s sweater weather.

So back to BBQs – I have been lucky enough in my new home in Devon to be located nearby to a fantastic fish counter. Right in the heart of the local docks and where the fish comes in for processing and distribution. They even name the local boat that brought the particular fish in on some occasions on the counter which gives my provenance loving heart a thrill every time.

Andre and I have been enjoying a locally harvested fish here and one that gets great love and care in his home country of Portugal – sardines.

For me the smell of a fresh sardine on a BBQ is simply heaven. They can be done so simply with a brush of oil and a little lemon. Or with a little tomato, onion, basil & olive salsa over the finished fish or as I did the other day using Carlas Rosemary salt – a seasoning that The Henley Larder stocks and hugely versatile. I highly recommend this tasty little fish, don’t be put off by bones because the flavour they pack is well worth a pesky little bone or two – or do as my Mother in Law does and eat it whole.

Another thing not be be missed on or off the BBQ right now is asparagus. We are bang into the season where British asparagus shines and with plenty of local farms to Henley as well as PYO at Rectory Farm and Hildreds you can go the whole experiential hog, so to speak.

A good friend of mine, I won’t name and shame is famed in our group for a chat  up line she once used at Henley Regatta – “I haven’t had a Pimm’s in ages” – reader, it worked nearly every time and a Pimm’s was gifted to her.

Well with that phrase in mind I made myself a Pimms, works just as well (and one for Andre of course).

There are some great Summer Cups out there beyond the world of the most infamous. Reverend Hubert was one I always enjoyed stocking at the Larder both the Summer and Winter Gin and I’m happy to see that The Henley Distillery has brought back the Regatta Cup from last year – what could be a better tipple to head into our Henley season of events.

Or why not do as my dad enjoyed to do and mix your own?

50ml gin

250ml sweet vermouth

125ml sweet sherry or port

125ml Cointreau or other orange liqueur (I like the Luxters Blood Orange)

Pour all the ingredients into a large jam jar and shake to mix. That’s it – serve as you normally would with lemonade, strawberry, orange & cucumber slices and a sprig of mint. And my favourite Pimms tip, borage flowers – subtly cucumber in flavour and so pretty. That reminds me a need a plant in my new place

Oh I can feel Henley Regatta in the air with all this talk of Pimms. Don’t forget I am doing a one week only come back of The Henley larder picnics so get you order in through our website now!

Wishing you a wonderful May, full of Summer awakening and Summer cup.

And wishing Henley a splendid VE Day – all that’s going on looks fabulous, get involved and I will love seeing all the pictures.

Zoë xx