This week David and I had a change of scene. We swapped seaside for countryside and visited a fairly new local enterprise…The Laycroft Longhorn Farm Shop at Manor Farm, opposite the picturesque Christchurch, Barnston.

This is a family business based in the converted agricultural buildings of their farm that is dedicated to its herd of rare-breed English longhorn cattle.

At this time of year, visitors can view the longhorns overwintering in their massive indoor/outdoor barn.

The shop has a brilliant range of fresh and preserved local speciality foods and has recently opened a very friendly little coffee bar which serves Adams & Russell coffee which is roasted and blended on the Wirral….a truly local speciality.

I had a lovely Americano and David ordered his usual latte…both top- notch.

He had a lovely chocolate-dipped shortbread cookie topped with a fresh strawberry whilst I opted for a fresh home-made scone with butter…both equally yummy.

We chewed the fat as the longhons in the barn chewed the cud!

Cheerio for now…see you all next week

Well here goes with our first blog!

David and I thought  we’d start today, right at the top corner of the Wirral, where the mighty River Mersey rushes out to meet the Irish Sea. We decided to re-visit the Panorama Lounge at the Floral Pavillion – a beautiful modern theatre complex which overlooks Fort Perch Rock and the Lighthouse at New Brighton.

We arrived at about 12.45pm which was just after high tide. The sun was shining over the estuary and picking out silver streaks on the crests of the waves. The entrance to the river was unusually quiet, as there are normally at least a couple of giant container ships waiting to berth into  the North Liverpool Docks or the Seaforth Container Base..but today not even the Dublin Seacat  or the Isle of Man Ferry was to be seen.

We were, however, not too disappointed with the lack of shipping because the best thing about Fridays at the Panarama Lounge (apart from the coffee) is that  local super-star…Dave Antrobus , sits at the magnificent grand piano from 12.00 noon until 2.00pm and regails us with a stream of melodies, leading us through Ragtime, Syncopation,Tin-pan-alley, Broadway, Hollywood to London’s West End, via Liverpool’s Matthew Street. His range is breathtaking and his musicianship is awe inspiring.

But…if music be the food of love…what about the love of food? Well, at the Panarama Lounge, food is the province of Carrington’s Catering who run a very friendly  service for the Floral Pavilion.

David chose a latte with a slice of lemon cheesecake, whilst I had my usual americano with hot milk, accompanied by a hearty chunk of carrot cake .Mmmmmm….

We ate and drank and chatted and listened…and…all too soon…it was 2.00 o’clock and Dave was playing his finale medley of “Singing in the Rain” and “Raindrops keep falling on my Head.”

On the way out I picked up the first edition of a quirky “freebie” mag called Pick Wick,  produced by some young artists, photographers and writers associated with FACT in Liverpool…well worth a read – it’s brilliant and refreshing…just like the coffee.

(visit:- www.floralpavilion.com)   (visit:- www.fact.co.uk)