Gail's Blog

B&B off the A303

Here we are offering Bed and Breakfast accommodation just of the A303, in fact as the crow flies we’re probably 500 yards from this major road and yet we have no noise from the A303.  And the reason is Castle Hill, on of the major landmarks in our small town. This small image shows Castle Hill on the right and the town…

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Breakfast recipes

For a long time I’ve thought how much I’d like to cook my way through ever recipe in a cookbook and somehow this year I’m being a bit more organised and might accomplish this dream.  Lunch finds me eating healthly and working my way through Harry Eastwood’s – A Salad for All Seasons.  And then I…

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Autumn newsletter

I hope you like this photograph of Longleat House and Grounds, taken from my phone whilst out walking at Heaven’s Gate, Horningsham At the end of each summer and as the quieter time for me here in Mere begins I’m finding time to write an autumn newsletter.  We’ve enjoyed a glorious summer and been busy with…

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Pink Grapefruit Marmalade

No matter how much marmalade I make in January with Seville oranges it always seems to run out towards the end of the year.  In order to keep being able to offer home made perserves at breakfast I end up making a second batch of pink grapefruit marmalade.  I do have to thank Nigella for this one, its delicious. Place a saucer…

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Autumn Fruits for Breakfast

Personally I love fruit for breakfast and in the summer its easy, a bowl of cherries looks lovely, everyone enjoys strawberries and melon is always refreshing.  However a little more effort goes into the fruit on the breakfast table in autumn and here are a couple of recipies I’m making at the moment. Baked apples with…

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Plum Jam

A friend has a plum tree in her garden and came round to see me with a carrier bag full of delicious purple fruit.  We were about to go a way for three nights so that evening I made a batch of jam and here’s the recipe. Plum Jam – makes 3 lbs 900g or 2lbs ripe plums, washed halved and stoned.  900 g or 2 lbs of…

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Jams and Preserves

The summer is always so busy for us here at Castleton House.  Mainly because we have so many visitors coming to stay while the days are long and the unpredictable English weather is most likely to be better behaved; and also because our garden keeps us on our toes.  Not only do we have the garden at the back of the house but…

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Stourhead House and Gardens
Accommodation near Stourhead

  Here we are offering <accommodation near Stourhead>, one of the National Trust’s most visited places and despite often visiting ourselves I’ve never thought about looking into the history and importance of these gardens in any depth.   But as I so often find myself suggesting to guests that they visit the…

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Spring Newsletter 2013

Easter is finally upon us and I would like to think that we’ve come out of hibernation however the winter seems to be dragging on, even late in to April if the forecasters are to be believed. As our location is some distance from any major business centre we tend to have a fairly quiet winter season.  This however gives me a…

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Autumn Newsletter 2012

Autumn 2012 Newsletter If you like a good read now the nights are drawing in then our local Literary Festivals might be of interest I’ve rather been neglecting my blog this summer despite all my resolutions in January not to do so.  Perhaps it’s because we’re always so busy during the summer both with having guests to…

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