Lemon curd like custard.

Hello dear readers! Me again! Time for a country show, show-and-tell.
I gave this post the title, 'lemon curd like custard' for one reason, a flippant reason really, I love the word 'custard'. When I think of lemon curd, I think it sounds custardy. Lemon curd has a smooth consistency, like custard, and it's a similar sunshine yellow, maybe a bit brighter. There is something reassuring about custard don't you think?  I can eat a bowl of custard on its own, easy peasy. I mention Lemon curd, because there was a lemon curd category, on display in the industrial tent, at the agricultural show we went to, last Saturday.

My favourite section of the industrial tent displays was easily, no competition, winners hands down, the 'flowers stuffed in a jam jar' category. Sheer and utter bliss, because that's my all time favourite way of displaying flowers, stuffing them in a jam jar. The knitting section was o.k. I disagreed with the winner of the knitted top section. I thought the Fair Isle tank top should have won. A cardigan won, and I felt slightly aggrieved on behalf of the owner of the Fair Isle tank top. (Just in case you're thinking I'm biased,(!), I didn't knit it myself, and I don't know the person who knitted it.)
There you go, lemon curd entries in the mosaic above.
I took so many photos of things at the show, I've had to put the majority of them into mosaics.
Knitted baby garments there as well, I loved the old-fashioned look of the highly commended piece. (Again, a little bit at odds with the  judging there).
There was a section where people could enter a single stemmed flower, just the one stem, in a jar or vase. I thought it was so charming, and easy for anyone to break a flower off a plant from their garden, (or their neighbours plant alternatively, not that I'm suggesting this was the case...........), before heading off to the show and entering it into that single stem category. No hassle, just a bit of fun, you wouldn't have to be a whiz of a gardener to go in for that competition, very democratic don't you think?
And the ice cream image? Well, I always have an ice cream at these events, and I thought the ice cream cone, in the mosaic above, was rather nicely painted.

All the single stems were displayed against the backdrop of  blue fabric. I thought the resulting colour combinations were lovely.

That yummy hot pink of the Dahlia (love Dahlias) and the bright red of the Fuschia, against the blue! Delicious!

Many of the pots of homemade jam on display didn't have gingham covers, which I thought was a shame. If I was a judge, the pots with gingham covers would sway my vote a bit.
We obviously weren't to be trusted, judging by the chicken wire enclosing all the displays. I must admit, if it wasn't for that chicken wire, I would definitely have walked off with one of the manky, dry and stale looking, half eaten dishes from the 'light lunch category' on display. Or the huge floral display that noone would have noticed me dragging out of the tent. Maybe the organisers of the show surrounded everything with high-security chicken wire, because there were scandalous thefts of  peoples prized 'light lunch displays', in previous years events.

We were allowed to touch the bulls and cows, also the Alpacas, tethered up in various other tents. If you're not a farmer, which I'm not, there is something very, very exciting about being able to stroke a grumpy looking bull, or doe eyed cow, on the head.

This fellow, in the photo above, was my favourite. Isn't he splendid? Looks so 'cuddly', but flinched when I stroked his top-knot. The farmer had one word to say about him. Grumpy.

There's something about cows that I find fascinating. I tend to anthromoporphise animals, probably unavoidable, my being a children's book illustrator, but still, cows, they are adorable and beautiful, and look like they might ponder life and it's little difficulties. Like having annoying strangers like me, big grin on my face, thinking they're cuddly.

By the time we saw the Alpacas, they had been shorn, so we got to see them looking a little disgruntled and skittish, after their no doubt demeaning shearing session. When they saw our two miniature wire haired dachshunds, they were fascinated. Their dainty heads, swivelled round on their long knecks, their huge eyes staring in disbelief and curiosity at the two mop like creatures staring up at them. I have never seen any creature, man or beast, so pointedly fascinated in our doggies.

I always think sheep should wear pink or blue twine, that looks like ribbon, round their necks. So fetching, don't you think?

What a wonderful day that was. We hadn't been to this show, the Border Union Show, for a couple of years, so were seeing it again with fresh eyes.

I shall love you and leave you now, it's getting late. Till tomorrow dear readers! Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Isabelle (France)]

Hi Vanessa! So interesting! We are going on holiday to North Yorkshire next month and will be near Rosedale when the show is on. I did not know what to expect but have a better idea now thanks to your lovely pictures. I hope we don't have to dress as smartely as the girls on one of your pics! :o)
Bonne soirée! Isabelle x

[Lucy]

What a splendid day you had there. Am definately with you on the fair isle tank top - it was robbed!

[Kate Bruning]

The chicken wire is hysterical and I can't help imagine the person who decided it (I paused there for a moment to imagine...). The colours are gorgeous and I have to agree with you on the voting. Maybe there were a few long-standing grdges swaying the judges. Lucky you weren't on a tv show as a murder might have happened over the winning knitting entrant.

[Bobo Bun]

I always enjoy the pasta made into floral sculptures at our county show. Anything that nasty deserves a look. Wish I'd come along your show looks great. Intense zinginess of the flowers colours reminds me of some 1950's flower coasters I had.

Lisa x

[Nicola]

How do you get the colours so intense in your photos? Do you use a fancy camera? Or maybe play with the colours on your computer?

[Hen]

Oooh, that was brill, right up my street, thanks so much for the virtual visit, and I agree with you on most counts: fair isle tanktop, grumpy bull etc and I just LOVE lemon curd, probably more than jam (golly, better not admit that too loudly in my jam obsessed household).
Hen x
P.S. Boden have their new season range on the website, (well the weather is pretty rubbish), and there is a fabby fair isle tanktop!

[driftwood]

looks like an amazing show, the chicken wire is just hilarious! xox

[Menopausalmusing]

Wow! Full on colour post to read on very wet and miserable day.That fairisle top just stands out amongst the others, doesn't it? I would have loved to have gone to that show. x

[The Curious Cat]

Gorgeous photos as usual! Looks like you had a lovely time at the country show! The alpaca's look funny shaven! xxx

[simone]

Such a lovely post. The alpacas shorn necks look like ribbed socks! I would love to have seen the expressions on the alpacas faces when they saw your doggies! I love these sorts of shows but the judges are always out of touch with the rest of us! I would love to own a Fair Isle tank top especially worn with a crisp white shirt! x

[melanie galloway]

I love your blog Vanessa, it cheers me up so much! xxx
I'm putting a few extra things in your swap parcel, to say sorry for the delay, will post it as soon as I can leave the house. xxx

[Lalabibaby]

Ooh Lemon Curd ....lovely .... I made some yesterday with eggs from our chooks .... it was so much more yellow than shop bought eggs .... we had it spread on homemade Scotch Pancakes and I love Lemon Curd & Greek Yoghurt together .... mmmmmmmmm

[anne]

Oh, those alpacas! They look like they're wearing cabled knit turtlenecks! Too funny.

Excellent photos! You have a great eye.

[Pernickity Witch]

What a gorgeous day you had! It's our County Show soon, but don't think that we will get such glorious sunshine.

I think someone stole it. Investigations are in progress!

[Louise]

Wow..what a huge show..nothing like our annual village event. I too love that 'grumpy' bull..lol

Wonerful colourful blog!

[kitschen pink]

You capture it all so beautifully! the raspberry jams look like heaven! Our neighbours run an alpaca farm and they are the most delightful creatures - so sociable and the babies are very cute!
Now, I'm a bit concerned that the exhibits are behind wire - rough neighbourhood you live in? t.x

[melissa]

Love those dachshunds too!!! I have a mini red-smoothie named "Happy" who thinks she's human.

[Jennyff]

I must admit when I put knitting into our local show I always worry about it being in the hall all day and only relax when I get it back. Maybe I should suggest the chicken wire?

[Shameme]

Hello,
Can anyone knit out there?, if so please email me [email protected].
Thanks!