So Now I Want to Make Jam, Have Ducks and Get a Dog!

This post includes collaborative links 

We’ve just got back home after a brilliant day out at Countryfile Live, thanks to the lovely team at Blacks.
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Countryfile Live

The sun was shining as the crowds completely descended on Blenheim Palace. I’d heard traffic had been bad leading up to the show, so we’d set off early, but all seemed to be well for us today, phew.

Now if you’ve not been to this, it is HUGE. We were there for five or six hours and we did not see everything. We could have easily spent a couple of days there and we’d still have left without seeing or doing everything. I feel like we barely skimmed the surface. There were shows and demonstrations taking place in so many different arenas and stages throughout the day, as well as something different to do at almost every turn.

For my son, it was all about the food. He’s been to a couple of food festivals before and has a thing for tasting jams! He knows that various foods are there to try, and so he loved diving in and checking out all that was available. There was so much on offer, we could have spent a fortune. With temptations such as hearty meaty pies, raspberry gin, jams galore and cakes, so many cakes, it’s a wonder we even moved passed the foodie area. Though we did indulge and buy some flapjacks, jams and meringues. We had no choice.

Flapjackery

Meringue Girls

There was so much to see, from tractor displays, scurry driving, dog agility, polo demonstrations, falconry displays, galloping acrobatics (the woman was dancing, leaping and balancing on a cantering horse, a brilliant show!) amongst so many other things, through to the many activities dotted around for kids to enjoy, wildlife area, livestock zone and the village green with a classic fairground feel.

village green

Interspersed amongst everything was shopping, shopping and more shopping. I checked out the roses, Little Man found a toy shop, whilst Boo had her eye on a tractor!

John Deere tractor

I found myself getting seduced by the stands, the shows, the lure of the good life.

The jams and chutneys had me wanting to make my own, bake more, grow my own vegetables, keep my own chickens!

I watched border collies herding the most adorable runner ducks – yep, I want those now. And maybe the dogs, too? Well, if I’m honest, I don’t have it in me to keep up with a collie, and having had a very lazy basset, I think the step up in activity would be too much for me. Maybe a cross somewhere in between, just like the Pomchi? Fast forward a decade and before I know it I will be booking walking holidays for dogs, checking out the best dog food for senior dog and picturing them by the fireside – I don’t even have a fireside!

In any case, there were dogs everywhere as they were very welcome to come along and visit the show, and I felt a bit lost without one. There are a couple of breeds that I have my eye on so perhaps one day.

So yes, next time you see me I’ll be wearing my Hunters and walking my dog in my Barbour coat. Maybe….!

In any case, we absolutely loved our day there and are already talking about going back next year. A sure sign of a great day out.

Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets, and this post includes collaborative links

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19 thoughts on “So Now I Want to Make Jam, Have Ducks and Get a Dog!”

  1. That sounds like a delightful day out, I was more than a little distracted by your cake photo, mmmmm, I could so easily do the country life, grow my own have my own animals, it would be a dream come true….sadly there is not one single member of my family who agrees with me 🙁

  2. Just checking in to see whether you enjoyed it and am pleased you did. You are so right about there being a lot to do. I missed those bites to eat for example.

  3. We visited and commented on the amount of dogs too – did you see the 13 week old puppies over by the dog arena? Could easily have smuggled one home 🙂 The traffic seemed to be worse in some directions than others. We came along the A34 and got in and out pretty quickly but I heard of others having 2-3 hour waits on Sunday!

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  5. Oh it looks amazing, I love the country file, in fact we all do in the Christie household. It is almost part of country living. I love your pics they are amazing and those meringues omg x

  6. It was such a brilliant day out. I took my Mum and I think it was a bit busy for her, but, Stella, who I was expecting to be flagging, loved every minute! Lots of inspiration and food, literally, for thought!

    A long drive and a very long day but worth it I think you’ll agree 🙂 x

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