Fakenham Races 22nd October

On Friday the Drove Orchards truck was to be seen trundling ‘midst the tweeds at the Fakenham Races.  A chilly morn’ fast dissipated to bathe racegoers and Drove apples alike in glorious autumnal sunshine.  Racegoers were quick to assail the bounty spread before them, elbowing in to snatch up bags and choose their apples, at “eight for a pound”, a bargain. It seems the English love for the apple is awakening from a long, drowsy sleep: many were interested to discuss the varieties, others to sing about the long-lost apples of their childhood.  Punters were quick to pick their favourites, the plummy Spartan, a near indecent pink-white fragrant flesh beneath its purple skin, the nutty Russet, “you can near taste the tree it grew on”, marvelled Sarah, our prestigious neighbour in the Picnic barn, of Brays Cottage (yummy) Pork Pies.  We look forward to the next Races on 16^th November to spark up our mulled apple juice and wintry apple cake… BYO slug of whisky and the races will be a very jolly affair – forget not the hip flasks – until then!