Oh Fiona, this sparks so many wonderful memories..... I'm sure I'm not alone in that either. Our extended family have been gathering in the grounds of Old Wardour Castle, (famously featured in the film Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, and close to where my Dad was brought up), since before I was born.... The gathering was always in August, as my paternal grandmother was a teacher and liked to mark the mid point of the long summer holidays and had her wedding anniversary to celebrate as well.... For as long as I can remember, the picnic fare was much as you have already described.... Dainty egg or ham sandwiches, (though I don't think baguettes featured before the 2000s), sausage rolls and pasties and always a home made light fruit cake and Rich Tea biscuits 'for the children'. And bottles of ready diluted orange and lemon squash. Flasks of tea for the grown ups. No alcohol in those days....
The main difference between then and now is that between the mid 60s and early 90s those items were home made.... I'm pretty sure the switch from home crafted to shop bought coincided with the onset of supermarket deliveries....and turning up with Waitrose branded goodies, (oh yes, delivered by Ocado you know), such a boon for us (then) working Mums with boisterous children to entertain.
These days, it's all about home made sour dough, gluten free and goodness knows what else.... And of course, someone's grandchild will be lactose intolerant or allergic to peanuts.... I have to admit, I have grandchildren of my own, and wouldn't venture out without a bottle or 3 of something sparkling and alcoholic to accompany the bought in a shop, (but definitely not a supermarket), goodies and maybe some homemade coleslaw if I was feeling virtuous. And chairs. No more picnic blankets for me.
Having written it down, I'm feeling very nostalgic for the 60s and 70s....😜 It seemed much simpler then. And of course, the sun always shone.
What lovely recollections Lucy. I'm glad you remember that era too and yes, the bar is set much higher these days! I do still quite like a picnic rug though ...
Just had a great evening watching local cricket in Greenwich Park … my contribution was a pack of olives and a huge flat eggah / kuku / frittata / tortilla sort of thing I made with memories of lots of cookbooks and a fridge / freezer forage … cooked potatoes slightly mashed, fried onion, cooked spinach, parsley, dill, Parmesan and feta … 5 eggs . Cut into squares … proved very popular. Finger food, gluten free and vegetarian.
Scotch egg.Black pudding one. Tebay M6 services have a very good range.Soft egg boiled one is nice, with crinkle cut crisps and a cheese and pickled onion sandwich.Always take a cagoule and overtrousers and insect repellant.If in Scotland,stay inside car and watch the midges desperate to get in.Ah! The romance of U.K. picnics.
I managed a major road trip down the west coast of Scotland a couple of years ago without midges but I know I was lucky. Cautiously approving the idea of a black pudding scotch egg as I like both though it does sound a bit weird 😉
Just what I needed as I’m having a drinks and picnic food in my garden. To remember my partner who would have been 96 on July 13th. Rather worried at what I’ve taken on…. preserving pan will make a good ice bucket
It absolutely will and there's no need for stress. I'm sure your friends won't care a jot about the food and just want to hang out with you and remember him.
Pan Bagnat all the way - has to be heavily seasoned quality ingredients / squashed and wrapped so the EVO soaks the roll - preferably with a chilled rosé or 2 … no ants 🥳
There's a family tale that when I was around 3, I stuffed a whole boiled egg into my mouth! The beginnings of a gourmet (or gannet)! Don't remember the recipe, probably au nature, nor how much stayed in my mouth! I still love a boiled egg (or any egg) and always have a couple when going on a journey, with a tiny jar of sel de Camargue and pepper.
Your delightful article reminded me of my childhood experiences of eating packed lunches whilst driving to our annual holiday destination which was the closest we got to picnics. Typically they comprised scrambled egg and bacon sandwiches from my mother and hard cod’s roe sandwiches prepared by my gran.
I suppose it’s possible but I have yet to meet anyone who has had either of these “delights” inflicted upon them let alone both together.
Actually the egg and bacon sarnies were ok but the awfulness of the cod’s roe ones remains with me still and may go a long wag to explain my lifelong aversion to picnics.
Oh Fiona, this sparks so many wonderful memories..... I'm sure I'm not alone in that either. Our extended family have been gathering in the grounds of Old Wardour Castle, (famously featured in the film Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, and close to where my Dad was brought up), since before I was born.... The gathering was always in August, as my paternal grandmother was a teacher and liked to mark the mid point of the long summer holidays and had her wedding anniversary to celebrate as well.... For as long as I can remember, the picnic fare was much as you have already described.... Dainty egg or ham sandwiches, (though I don't think baguettes featured before the 2000s), sausage rolls and pasties and always a home made light fruit cake and Rich Tea biscuits 'for the children'. And bottles of ready diluted orange and lemon squash. Flasks of tea for the grown ups. No alcohol in those days....
The main difference between then and now is that between the mid 60s and early 90s those items were home made.... I'm pretty sure the switch from home crafted to shop bought coincided with the onset of supermarket deliveries....and turning up with Waitrose branded goodies, (oh yes, delivered by Ocado you know), such a boon for us (then) working Mums with boisterous children to entertain.
These days, it's all about home made sour dough, gluten free and goodness knows what else.... And of course, someone's grandchild will be lactose intolerant or allergic to peanuts.... I have to admit, I have grandchildren of my own, and wouldn't venture out without a bottle or 3 of something sparkling and alcoholic to accompany the bought in a shop, (but definitely not a supermarket), goodies and maybe some homemade coleslaw if I was feeling virtuous. And chairs. No more picnic blankets for me.
Having written it down, I'm feeling very nostalgic for the 60s and 70s....😜 It seemed much simpler then. And of course, the sun always shone.
What lovely recollections Lucy. I'm glad you remember that era too and yes, the bar is set much higher these days! I do still quite like a picnic rug though ...
Your knees are clearly in better condition than mine 😉😉. I still love a picnic though 😜
Just had a great evening watching local cricket in Greenwich Park … my contribution was a pack of olives and a huge flat eggah / kuku / frittata / tortilla sort of thing I made with memories of lots of cookbooks and a fridge / freezer forage … cooked potatoes slightly mashed, fried onion, cooked spinach, parsley, dill, Parmesan and feta … 5 eggs . Cut into squares … proved very popular. Finger food, gluten free and vegetarian.
Sounds absolutely perfect! A friend of mine has been bringing round bags of spinach and chard from her garden so might well do the same!
Just needs cooking, cooling and a lot of squeezing. Enjoy !
Scotch egg.Black pudding one. Tebay M6 services have a very good range.Soft egg boiled one is nice, with crinkle cut crisps and a cheese and pickled onion sandwich.Always take a cagoule and overtrousers and insect repellant.If in Scotland,stay inside car and watch the midges desperate to get in.Ah! The romance of U.K. picnics.
I managed a major road trip down the west coast of Scotland a couple of years ago without midges but I know I was lucky. Cautiously approving the idea of a black pudding scotch egg as I like both though it does sound a bit weird 😉
Just what I needed as I’m having a drinks and picnic food in my garden. To remember my partner who would have been 96 on July 13th. Rather worried at what I’ve taken on…. preserving pan will make a good ice bucket
It absolutely will and there's no need for stress. I'm sure your friends won't care a jot about the food and just want to hang out with you and remember him.
Pan Bagnat all the way - has to be heavily seasoned quality ingredients / squashed and wrapped so the EVO soaks the roll - preferably with a chilled rosé or 2 … no ants 🥳
Preferably not. Good tip about the squishing though!
There's a family tale that when I was around 3, I stuffed a whole boiled egg into my mouth! The beginnings of a gourmet (or gannet)! Don't remember the recipe, probably au nature, nor how much stayed in my mouth! I still love a boiled egg (or any egg) and always have a couple when going on a journey, with a tiny jar of sel de Camargue and pepper.
Absolutely with you there, Angela. We always took hard boiled eggs on a picnic! Impressed by you fitting a whole one in at the age of 3 though!
Loved it. Thanks for bringing back many childhood memories.
Time to recreate them, maybe?
Your delightful article reminded me of my childhood experiences of eating packed lunches whilst driving to our annual holiday destination which was the closest we got to picnics. Typically they comprised scrambled egg and bacon sandwiches from my mother and hard cod’s roe sandwiches prepared by my gran.
I suppose it’s possible but I have yet to meet anyone who has had either of these “delights” inflicted upon them let alone both together.
Actually the egg and bacon sarnies were ok but the awfulness of the cod’s roe ones remains with me still and may go a long wag to explain my lifelong aversion to picnics.