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Rank: Level 12: Royalty
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Given the pleasant weather we have had over the past couple of days I think it is amost time for picnics!! What do you think makes the perfect picnic? I love to sit by the river not far from our house, watching the children and our crazy dog tearing round. The food is probably less important to me than the location. 
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Rank: Level 11: Knights who say Ni
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Yes, there's definitely got to be a shallow little river. Somewhere comfortable to sit, preferably in a meadow full of wildflowers, with a shady tree and no flies. There would be a skylark singing overhead and cows and sheep mooing and baaing, but not in the same field. There would be nobody else about, just a cottage café open selling tea at 25p per cup and ice cream cornets for 50p. We would take plenty of crispy salad in cheese topped bread buns. I don't want to take a watch so a church bell would be handy, chiming out the hours. Grandchildren would be nice, but no I don't want to have to keep my eye on them, just relax. I'm just waiting for someone to take us. 
http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/4330/all
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Rank: Level 12: Royalty
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There is indeed something really calming about sitting on a river bank with a picnic. Good food and a bottle of wine do help I think. This is one of my favourite ways to enjoy the English countryside
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Rank: Administration
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also helps if you have a fishing rod 
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Rank: Level 12: Royalty
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I am looking forward to some nice English strawberries with my next picnic. When do they come into season it must be soon? 
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Rank: Level 11: Knights who say Ni
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Hi Katie
Our local farm in Enfield opens their doors for strawberry picking at the start of next month. Its been our family tradition for the last couple of decades to go there and pick strawberries, raspberries etc. Its a really great day out for all the family, particularly the kids who love to run around in the fields and eat fresh strawberries.
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Rank: Level 6: Local Hero
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I love picnics. Our grandparents always used to take us to the local park when the weather was nice for a picnic and to feed the ducks. At the weekends there would be a live band playing in the park by the lake and deck chairs. It was a great atmosphere. Its funny how its these more simple memories that you remember the most. :)
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Rank: Level 12: Royalty
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Hi MissHoney welcome to the forum. It is funny how we remember the more 'simple' memories. I wonder if the children growing up now will also remember the 'simple' things or if it will be all Xboxs and Wiis? My children certainly seem to enjoy running around in open spaces more than the latest toys etc. (Not that it stops them for asking for them!). Lets hope the weather warms up a bit and we all get to go and pick some strawberries and go on some more great picnics.
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Rank: Level 12: Royalty
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Thanks NicoleCH. I thought it must be soon. I will look out next time I pass our PYO farm.
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Last night we had the worst picnic/barbecue ever! My mother and nephew came down to stay with us for the Bank Holiday weekend (which was lovely) but yesterday evening we thought we'd take our portable barbecue to a nice spot (yes by a river too) and start cooking. As soon as we arrived it started clouding over and before the charcoal had heated it became freezing cold. We spent the whole evening shivering. The funny thing is, it will probably be our most memrobale barbecue for years to come 
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Rank: Level 9: Royal Advisor
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One of my best picnics was in a cemetery. I took my wife to see Kings' Sutton (which I know pretty well) and we went through the fields and lanes looking at the relevant sites and talking to the animals. On the way back from one, there is a supplementary burial ground for the church about two miles away. So we sat on the benches and ate there, just because it was different to everything else we could see. Consequently we paid our respects to the dead too. Worth trying!
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Rank: Level 11: Knights who say Ni
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Hi Varangarian. You have just reminded me of something. When we were small my parents would take us once a year to a really old small church in Colchester. Whilst the service was taking place, my brother and I would sneak outside and try and find the oldest graves. Some of the old churches with their small grave yards can be beautiful peacful and tranquil places.
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Rank: Level 11: Knights who say Ni
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Where has the sun gone? After the beautiful sunny weather we had a few weeks ago I was looking forward to a few picnics
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Rank: Level 12: Royalty
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Don't know where the weather has gone. Looks like eating in might have to become the new picnic!
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NicoleCH wrote:When we were small my parents would take us once a year to a really old small church in Colchester. Whilst the service was taking place, my brother and I would sneak outside and try and find the oldest graves. Some of the old churches with their small grave yards can be beautiful peacful and tranquil places. ...then you NicoleCH would really like The Old Lock Up in Derbyshire. Here there is a converted chapel that you can stay in and it is practically in the middle of a graveyard. I took my wife there for our anniversary a few years back and although she thought I was completely mad when I told her I'd booked it we both had a great time. The other guests were so laid back and they have stayed there for many years!
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Rank: Level 12: Royalty
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Not sure if I would fancy staying in a graveyard. Going back to the picnics though - I was just reading that a farmer in Cambridgeshire has withdrawn his PYO strawberries this year as people were eating too many. Up to £15 a time, some have even taken cream with them!!! 
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Rank: Level 12: Royalty
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crikey - I was wondering whether it will be cheaper for us to go picking our own fruit this year with inflation and all. We certainly are growing more of our own veg in our garden now - food is getting so expensive that even a stop off at the supermarket on the way to a picnic is getting a bit pricey!
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Rank: Level 12: Royalty
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I would say PYO is much cheaper as long as you don't eat too much!!! 
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What's a PYO dude? xo
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Rank: Level 11: Knights who say Ni
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muskovic1369 wrote:What's a PYO dude? xo Hi Muskovic. Welcome to the forum. PYO stands for "pick your own fruit or vegetables". This is hopefully what I will be doing this weekend with my family if the rain stays away, but Sunday looks like a good day.
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