Out and about – Bangers & Mash

My Upfest gallery

July 27, 2016January 14, 2017Posted in Out and about, ReviewsTagged bristol, graffiti, street art, upfestLeave a comment

I realise it’s all been a little quiet on the blog in recent weeks, but anyone that follows me on Instagram will know that the family and I have been thoroughly making the most of being back in the city since our return to Bristol in February.

This last weekend has pretty much summed up, for me, why I’ve longed to be back here, in this creative powerhouse of a city – albeit one of the most chilled out, laid back powerhouses you could wish for. For this weekend, street artists from around the world descended on Bristol (and indeed our very own patch of Bristol, Bedminster) in their hundreds for Upfest, Europe’s largest street art and graffiti festival. And the people followed in their thousands. Continue reading “My Upfest gallery” →

Welcome to Southville

March 28, 2016Posted in Eating out, Out and about, ReviewsTagged bristol, north street, southville4 Comments

We’ve been back in Bristol for just over a month now. The children are gradually settling into their new school, we’ve unpacked nearly everything, and we are finally falling into our new routines.

We loved our time in Somerset. For ten years we lived in the lush Mendip countryside between Frome and Radstock, where we’d see deer from our bedroom window, play pooh sticks from the bridge over the stream at the bottom of the village and build dens in the woods behind our house. It sounds beautifully idyllic, the good life in every way, and yet I’ve always missed the city. I am a city girl at heart you see, and have yearned to be back amidst the hurly burly, hustle and bustle, grease and grime of life in the metropolis. So thank you Somerset. You’ve been very good to us. But now we’re back in Bristol and ready for a whole new adventure. Continue reading “Welcome to Southville” →

Review: The Little Table of Delights

November 2, 2015November 2, 2015Posted in Out and about, ReviewsTagged children, theatre, theatre damfino, yeo valley1 Comment

Playing with food has always been something I’ve encouraged at Chez Bangers, so there really couldn’t be a more appropriate theatrical experience for my little ones than The Little Table of Delights, which we were lucky enough to be a part of last week at the Yeo Valley Canteen.

Created by Bristol-based Theatre Damfino in collaboration with chefs Matt Williamson and Claire Thomson (The Five O’clock Apron), this brilliantly interactive show tells the story of what we eat and where it comes in five acts, taking us from bread and then beetroot, through to spices, eggs, milk and honey. Continue reading “Review: The Little Table of Delights” →

Win family tickets for Yeo Valley’s ‘Little Table of Delights’

October 22, 2015November 5, 2015Posted in Competitions and challenges, Out and aboutTagged children, giveaway, theatre, yeo valley6 Comments

We’re very excited. During half term next week we’re off to the Yeo Valley Canteen in Somerset for a very special picnic. And we’re rather hoping you might like to come too! Continue reading “Win family tickets for Yeo Valley’s ‘Little Table of Delights’” →

Homemade soda bread and butter inspired by a trip to River Cottage

October 4, 2015October 7, 2015Posted in Bread, Out and about, Recipes, VegetarianTagged bread, butter, buttermilk, organic, river cottage, soda bread3 Comments

River Cottage. What a wonderful place. I could make myself at home there quite happily. I’d wash the dishes and clean the loos in return for bed and board and perhaps the odd cookery lesson. Although I’m not sure my family would be too happy about me deserting them. Unless there was room for them too of course. And the two cats. Yes, dream on Vanesther…

I was recently the guest of River Cottage, along with a host (a herd, a pride, a smorgasbord… collective noun anyone?) of other food bloggers for a very special day of cooking, feasting, photography and foodie conversation. For once I wasn’t the only one rearranging the table and photographing my meal before the first bite. Continue reading “Homemade soda bread and butter inspired by a trip to River Cottage” →

Out and about in the North East: Beamish Open Air Museum

September 11, 2015September 11, 2015Posted in Out and about, ReviewsTagged beamish, children, durham, edwardian, museumLeave a comment

The children are back at school. My oldest finds herself in her final year of primary school – where on earth did that time go? And life is quickly settling back into the old routine again. But before the school holidays become too much of a distant memory, I thought I’d bring you a few highlights of our summer break up in the North East.

I’ve been chomping at the bit to take my family up there for several years now, keen to revisit lots of the places I so loved growing up there. But, to date, sunny, beach holidays have always won out – until this year, when I finally managed to get my way.

It’s a long drive from the South West to the North East but well worth the effort. I’d forgotten quite how beautiful the region is and how varied the countryside. From the craggy, purple-heather cloaked hillsides and lush green pine forests to the vast, serene, sandy beaches. Just breathtaking.

Our week in the North East started with a couple of days in County Durham, where I lived from the ages of about five to seven. I have extremely fond memories of visiting Beamish Open Air Museum when I was little. I was even on the local TV news there. I can’t remember what the occasion was but my class got to dress up in old fashioned clothes (I loved all those petticoats) and play with the toys of the era, like spinning tops and hoops. My first taste of fame and I loved it. Continue reading “Out and about in the North East: Beamish Open Air Museum” →