Laura's Hen Do!

As one of her bridesmaids, I organised Laura's hen do last weekend. I'm thrilled to say it was a fantastic weekend and went off without a hitch. And importantly, that it was a fitting farewell to Laura's single days!

On Friday night we all arrived at the impressive Wysdom Hall in Burford (Cotswolds) in time for a light supper and a few bottles of wine to ease into the weekend.

We had an early start on Saturday for our foraging expedition. Our instructor Kevin showed us all things edible and medicinal in the nearby fields, woodlands and along the roadside. We picked blackberries, plums, even a wild raspberry, and the edible parts of vetch and mallow (and lots more weeds I can't remember the names of). What I do remember vividly is preparing our wood pigeon for lunch. Shot for us earlier that day, we removed the two breasts with our bare (and subsequently very bloody!) hands.











For lunch we had the wood pigeon stir fried with a plum and blackberry sauce served with potatoes seasoned with grand fir leaves and wild mint, and blackberry damper.



Once descended into the main reception room in the evening, the girls - all frocked up - enjoyed champagne and gin and elderflower cocktails and party games. All being attended to by our Butler in the Buff, Owain. Well and truly in good spirits, we had a feast for dinner of roast chickens, summer lasagne, salads and vegetables, and Laura's Mum's trifle. Dinner was followed by hours of dancing in the dining room and another of the sitting rooms to Jaimee's pop playlist.













A cooked breakfast and a few hours lazing in the sun-filled, pretty gardens on Sunday was a perfect end to the weekend. Hopefully one Laura will remember well into her married years!



(Thanks to Natalie & Aziza for most of the photos)