The foodie group met today to sample recipes of rice and grains. We sampled Nasi Goreng, an Indonesian stir fried rice recipe made with chicken breast ; Help yourself tuna rice salad, a dish which the family can dip into whenever they wish; Old fashioned rice salad; a slimming world recipe full of vegetables and other delicious ingredients, and Cranachan; a traditional Scottish dessert of oats, cream, whisky, honey and raspberries, which is a delicious alternative to trifle. Although we only have “tasters” I doubt many foodie group members eat lunch after our meetings! Our topic next month is “pies” so forks at the ready!
Author Archives: marken86
Walking Group: Cheshire Waterways
13 members of the walking group had a great walk today, completing 10.5 miles along the banks of the Cheshire canal, the Weaver Navigation and the Trent and Mersey Canal. Setting off from the Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich we walked along canal banks and across meadows and were lucky as it was an ideal day for walking.
Wine time at Scatchards
40 U3A members attended at wine tasting last evening led by George Birchall. Visiting “Wine Time at Scatchards” on Great Howard street, we were treated to an array of Italian wines, mostly from the region to be visited on the next wine tasting holiday. Two whites, a rose and three reds were accompanied by a selection of chorizo, cheeses and olives. Thankfully transport had been arranged as the measures were far from mean and there may well have been a brush with the law had anyone been foolish enough to drive! The evening was a great success and everyone is looking forward to the next event in a couple of months time. Thanks to George and Mo for organising everything.
Pedal Pushers : Field Of Hope
Following the usual tradition the Pedal Pushers cycling group rode to Sefton Park, Liverpool yesterday to visit the Field Of Hope. This expanse of different cultivars of daffodils was originally planted as a fund raising venture for the Marie Curie Hospice in Woolton, which is only a couple of miles from the park. People could purchase a daffodil bulb for £1 which was then planted in the park. Over the years the bulbs have increased by natural spread. The display is much later than usual this year, due to the poor weather we have had, but nevertheless, the display is beautiful and well worth a visit.
Walking Group visit 3 parks
21 members of the walking group set off from St Michaels station this morning in beautiful Spring sunshine. Given the awful weather over the last few days we were delighted to see the clear blue sky and feel warm sunshine giving us a welcome dose of vitamin D. During the course of the walk the layers came off, with many of the group finishing the walk in short sleeves! Following the path from the station we walked up the very cosmopolitan Lark Lane with its eclectic mix of bars and restaurants, and made our way to Princes Park. Continue reading
Foodie Group: Desserts for our delectation
The Foodie Group met again today and, as you can see from the slideshow, were treated to a veritable display of delectable delights which we demolished! Rounding off our 3 course menus the focus was on desserts and we certainly had a great time Thankfully, oops sorry, regrettably, quite a few usual members were missing, so those who attended had to were able to carry out the Oliver Twist tradition of ” please sir, can I have some more”! Thanks to everyone who served such a fine table of food. Our focus next month is pasta dishes, which, hopefully, will be slightly less calorific !
Pedal Pushers: Sunshine at last!
Following weeks of bad weather on a Wednesday, illness and holidays, the Pedal Pushers managed to get an almost complete group on the ride today. Using the Cheshire Lines cycle way we rode out from Maghull, did a circuit around the lanes and paths of Lydiate and Aughton before a coffee stop at Hartleys, Then following the cycle lanes, and avoiding the debris left by the hedge cutters, we rode back to Maghull. Just under 8.5 miles, but enough to get the joints going again. Hopefully we’ll get a longer ride next week on our annual Spring trip to Sefton Park to see the daffodil displays.
Walking Group: 12 challenge the beast from the East!
12 members of the walking group took on the challenge of “the beast from the East” and tackled a 7 mile walk from Maghull to Aughton today.Using the canal paths and byways, the first part of the walk was actually quite pleasant, walking alongside the Leeds Liverpool Canal, watching skating ducks and enjoying the brief glimpses of weak sunlight. Leaving the canal we headed across open farmland in Lydiate when the wind really started to blow. Continue reading
Walking Group 1st March
The next walk will take place on Thursday 1st March. The short walk has been changed slightly because of the conditions underfoot. The walk will still be 5 miles but will now be a walk in the Ormskirk area, rather than Aughton. Please meet at Ormskirk railway station at 10am. Suggested transport is 9:40 bus from Maghull Square or 9:45 train from Maghull. Lunch can be taken at the Royal Oak pub, Aughton after the walk.
The long walk will be approx. 7 miles. Those wanting to do the longer route meet at Maghull Square at 9:30 . We will walk along the canal to the Weld Blundell in Lydiate. Anyone wishing to join the walk there should be at this point at 10am. (The 31 bus leaves opposite the Square at 9:40). We will walk onwards over Clieves Hill and will end at the Royal Oak in Aughton for an optional meal. Both walks may be muddy so please wear appropriate footwear. Also due to the predicted low temperatures next week wear plenty of layers and walkers may wish to bring a flask for a warm drink enroute.
Foodie Group: Gone all Scandinavian
Several members of the Foodie Group, family and friends, dined yesterday evening at L20 restaurant, the hotel school of Hugh Baird College. The 3rd year students had recently visited Oslo, visiting Michelin starred restaurants, fish and vegetable markets and on their return created a menu of Scandinavian cuisine. We had the opportunity to taste cuisine combinations that we had not tried before and were all suitable impressed. Service, as ever, was impeccable and we were delighted when one of the young chefs came out of the kitchen to enquire whether we had enjoyed the evening and what we thought of the menu. Needless to say praise was heaped on the students, and, as an OFSTED visit was planned for today, took the opportunity to leave written feedback for the students’ portfolios. A Summer foraging menu is being planned for May and we have already signed up to revisit then.