Today we went on our annual family pilgrimage to the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. It's one of the three 'Grand Slam' equestrian events of the year along with Badminton and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Although Kentucky is a little far to travel, thankfully Burghley is held in the heart of Stamford and just on our doorstep. I've attended every year, rain or shine, since early childhood.
I woke early this morning bright eyed and bushy-tailed but with a conundrum, there is an annual dilemma on what is an appropriate outfit to wear to Burghley. Although it is essentially stomping around a muddy field, most people really pull out the country-fashion stops and you can expect to be greeted with a sea of Dubarry boots, Ralph Lauren and natty tweed twin-sets. I went for something in the middle of my conservative normal and uniform posh - denim skirt, leather boots, pashima and trilby - my sister declared I looked 'insane' but it was worth it (if a little chilly).
As soon as we arrived in the grounds of Burghley House, a grand sixteenth-century country manor house, we heard the noise of the steward's whistles announcing a horse and rider were about to thunder past. We took our places near some enormous fences and watched the skilled eventers put their mounts through their paces...
The skill and bravery of these riders never ceases to amaze me! It must take a lot of guts to steer a four-legged beast with a mind and agenda of it's own at a five foot wall of solid wood, brick, or, in this case, boat. In my riding days as a child, I remember feeling intense butterflies before the local gymkhana so it really puts the expertise of three-day event riders into perspective.
After a morning watching the horses and wandering aimlessly around the course, we were feeling peckish and headed towards the food court in search of lunch. As Burghley is a celebration of country craft, the food options were plentiful and delicious. Here are just a few snapshots of the cuisine on offer...
Enormous wheels of stinky cheese...
A gargantuan vat of saffron Paella with seafood, rabbit, pork and white flaky fish...
Piles of vibrant, organic summer strawberries...
Mum plumped for the Paella, but I'm a burger kind of girl!
I went for Farmhouse Direct's 'Burghley Special Burger' which consisted of Aberdeen Angus beef, melty cheese, fried onions and a delicious spicy tomato relish. The fact that I didn't take the time to photograph it before tucking in is testament to just how yummy it was.
Followed, of course, by the main event...pudding!
Three delicious crumbly chocolate brownies from the brownie company. We went for peanut butter, salted caramel and pecan (although there were lots of other mouth-watering options) AND a nougat and apricot whorl. All washed down with a cup of piping hot coffee. I would like to say that we didn't eat all of these desserts (*cough* and some non-photographed Tom's cookie dough fudge) but it's my first blog post and I don't want you and I to get off on the wrong foot by lying to you.
The good old British rain had started to set in hard but Page ladies are rarely faint-hearted. In that spirit, we donned our macs and peeped out at a few more of the horses from underneath the shelter of a large oak tree.
The rain did not put many spectators off, especially those who had foresight to bring an umbrella, so we followed the crowds trudging across the sodden turf and watched the last few horses gallop past.
Despite or perhaps because of the gloomy British weather, I decided I required lemonade to bolster my spirits.
The Old Fashioned Lemonade Company does the best lemonade around in my opinion - part citrus sharp, part sickly sweet, the kind of lemonade that evokes memories of the 'good old days' when, as a child, you could mix raw lemon juice with a bucket full of sugar and flog it for £1.50 to any kindly and foolish adult that may stumble across your entrepreneurial efforts.
Tired, soggy and buoyed up by sugar, we decided it was time to head home.
A good time, as agreed by all, had been had and we vowed to return next year and every year. We returned home to a piping hot cup of tea and an enthusiastic greeting from my Springer spaniel Piper. Until next year Burghley!
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