Ostrich Burgers & Holidaying at Home

A little bit of a random bits & bobs post today. We had planned on visiting Cairn Bay Lodge this afternoon after seeing lots of lovely pics on their Facebook page recently, but we ended up deciding to head their for breakfast/brunch tomorrow instead.

Today instead we took a dander round the travelling fun fair that has been set up in our home town of Bangor all summer. The prices were crazy; we went to pay for both of us to go on both the Ski Jump ride and the Chairaplanes and the woman asked for £9!! For two rides! So we just went on the Ski Jump.

We then took a look in some shops. Michael is getting some teeth out next week so he wanted to check out the Playmobil in Stewart Miller, which will be his being brave reward.

I'd seen someone post exotic meats on Instagram this week, and it was surprised to find they were from Iceland, so we went there to check out what they had. Iceland is somewhere I never shop due to it's location in the town centre of Bangor, and the lack of free parking nearby. So I hadn't been in store in maybe a couple of years, out of it's complicated location rather than any snobiness! 

This isn't a sponsored post of any kind, sadly it haven't been given all these lovely treats free by Iceland, but I thought I would share anyway, as they've some surprising things to choose from. 

And these bubblegum swirl lollies definitely had to be bought! 

Stay tuned tomorrow to see how we get on at the Starfish Cafe at a Cairn Bay Lodge. 

Russian Dolls & Giant Butterflies: Snixy Swoons Autumn 2015 Collection

There are lots of new pieces this week on the  SnixySwoons Etsy stores. I'm going to buy a couple of the large sized butterflies.

Holiday in History at Hanna's Close, Kilkeel

We've certainly stayed in some unique places this summer during our accommodation reviewing season, and our latest location, Hanna's Close Cottages in Kilkeel didn't disappoint either. The exclusive close has ten original buildings, which date back to the 1600s, when the Scottish Hannas settled & farmed right here at the foot of the Morune Mountains. In fact right until today the Hanna Family live along the road from the resort.

Hanna's Close is like a mini version of the Irish Folk & Transport Museum. The ten cottages, which can be  viewed and booked online have between one & three bedrooms. We stayed in the Carthouse, a petite, compact cottage with original stone floors & huge open fireplace. 

You have all the mod cons you'll need, a full kitchen, bathroom with shower, central heating, tv & wifi, but the interiors still retain their rural charm. The decor, doors, floors and rooms are traditional, which makes you feel like you're comfotably at home staying in one of the folk museum cottages. 

As you know I suffer from M.E. so on all our trips this summer, we've turned in quite early, ending up just hanging out and relaxing at where ever we were staying from about 7pm in the evening, and Hanna's Close was a joy for this. We lit a huge roaring fire with the coal, peat, newspaper & matches provided and sat together reading while munching on the wheaten bread they'd kindly left for us to try. 

Should you have any problems, the caretakers are simply at the end of the phone. We had a question about the heating and they were able to talk us through it and sorted it out with very little fuss. The weather was atrocious that night, but we slept like babies, and for the other cottages being stayed in also, there was no noise from anyone else. You'll be well rested should you stay at Hanna's! 

In the morning it was a little drier, so Michael and I went to investigate the wider area. You can head down to the river, and fish if you are so inclined, or simply walk through the grounds that belong to the Hanna's. Should you be brave enough there are two sets of stepping stones crossing the river, however we chickened out and took the bridges!

We really felt at home during our stay at Hanna's Close, and would recommend staying there especially to those from outside Ireland, for a real old fashioned feel of our country. If you've any questions you can connect with Hanna's on  their Facebook page.

(Stay was complimentary for blog review purposes) 

What's New in The M&S Food Hall This August?

As blog posts go, some of my favourites are when I get to visit the huge M&S at Sprucefield in Lisburn, and pick lots of delicious treats to fit the particular theme that time around. I've had posts with their healthy eating Count On Us and Fuller Longer ranges, BBQ inspiring blogs, and picnic ideas, but this visit I wasn't sure what the topic of my foodie haul was going to be. 

As Michael & I perused the shelves of the colourful and fresh food ideas, I decided just to go with 'what's new this August', as there are so many new products to try in every section of the store. 

I featured their wide range of BBQ meats & fish a month ago, but these new ones caught my eye. I love their ranges like this where you get a great cut of meat in the perfect sauce. It's fool-proof to cook and always tastes amazing.  

They are all on 2 for £7, or 3 for £10. 

M&S are well known for their exquisite smoked salmon already, but this limited edition black treacle salmon is to die for. The little seafood selection packets are great for a quick stirfry to change things up if you usually just use chicken. Go a little exotic next time with the coconut & lime dressing, or lime, mint & chilli. 

Again these are 2 for £7, or 3 for £10. 

Some times for me the difference between a healthy snack & a packet of crisps is pure laziness at having to chop the veg for the healthier option, so the preprepared crudité selection is perfect for lazy folks like me! It's £3, but also falls under the deli range offer of 3 items for £6. 

If you're snacking in work there's actually a crunchy veg & houmous pot available in the lunch aisle for just £1.75. I also picked up the new sweetcorn, chilli and coriander dip (£1.40) and a pack of croutons to add to salads & soups (£1). 

M&S have a fab selection of these little vegetable & salad pots all year round, which make for great sides to main meals, or a healthy snack on their own. They usually fall under the 2 for £3 offer too. 

If you are fed up of sandwiches this summer, there are plenty of alternatives like sushi, or a protein pot. The salmon and edamame pot is £2. There are also packs of seasoned & prepared meat that simply need added to bread or a bap for a tasty lunch. The caramalised Apple ham hock was £2.60. In my previous M&S post about picnic items I had tried a roast beef sandwich which included their blacksticks blue cheese, which was delicious, so I snapped up the spreadable version for £2.50.

We haven't had great weather this week, but it's still the summer and these two drinks will at last give you the taste of the season where our climate is falling short. The watermelon & coconut iced tea is £1.80 and the melon, pineapple & passion fruit juice is £1.50. 

The rhubarb iced buns are £1.30 for two and also come in a lemon variety. They are sort of lik a doughnut/bun mashup, filled with jam. 

Lastly a couple of dessert options that are new this month. A healthy treat of strawberries, cream & crumble for £3, a pair of gooseberry custard crumbles in reusable glass jars for £3.80, and a trip of tiny summer traybakes for £1.20.

The Sweet Shop Down Memory Lane, Curious Candy, Bangor. Nostalgic Delights Part One.

This is the first in a series of blog posts reminiscing about nostalgic foods, drinks and meals from the 1970s and 1980s.  

For this post I enlisted some expert help, in Paul the owner of Bangor's classic, traditional sweet shop, Curious Candy. Michael & I had lots of fun exploring all the shelves the compact, but filed to the brim little shop in Bangor's Central Avenue holds.

As well as the nostalgic treats featured in this blog post, the shop has almost every jarred sweet you can imagine, plus a whole section of imported American Candy, like birthday cake flavoured M&Ms. If you don't live where I do, but want to buy any of the products featured, you can visit the Curious Candy online shop  . So without further ado, on to the retro sweeties, which do you remember?

Pink shrimp, sort of foamy, remember them? 

The classic, "get that for you Dad' sweet

Peanut candy

Almost too cute to eat

What about this lot? Any of your favourites? Sherbet Pips, Fruit Salad, Alphabet Letters, Fish & Chips, Jazzies. 

Bangor Rock, Midget Gems, Black Jacks, Floral Gums, Cherry Lips. 

So, are there any I've missed that you have fond memories of munching? Let me know on Twitter @rudedoodle, or ask Curious Candy @curcansweets if he has any in stock.  You can also connect with Curious Candy on their facebook.

This was my purchase today, along with super sour Warheads for Michael, as he's watched lots of YouTube challenges featuring them. If you've seen the Bean Boozle Challenge going around vloggers, and want to get your hands on a pack, Curious Candy will be getting a supply of the totally curious candy Jelly Belly beans this weekend. 

This Weekend's Sunflowerfest Line Up Revealed

Only a few days to go until the 6th annual Sunflowerfest, the family orientated festival here in Northern Ireland. Music will kick off from 1.45pm on Friday 31st July and from 12pm on Saturday 1st August and 12.30pm Sunday 2nd August, with exciting headline acts Dreadzone (10.45pm, Friday), Senser (10.40pm, Saturday) and Skinny Lister (9.50pm, Sunday) closing the main stage on each night of the festival.

To purchase tickets to next week’s festival or explore the full line-up of events and activities for all festival guests, visit Sunflowerfest.

This year’s confirmed music line-up is as follows and can also be accessed online right here.

Cactii & Painting-by-Numbers Themed Jewellery Collections? YES PLEASE!

How kitsch and cute are these two collections from  FinestImaginary ? Which pieces tickle your fancy? Photos by Holly Booth.

Hand Drawn Creative at Bangor's Open House Festival

My wonderful blog logo designer and all round, mid-century loving super illustrator Neal McCullough has a free exhibition as part of both our home town's Open House Festival this August. Pop along for the opening night on Wednesday 5th, or visit his website for more beautiful illustrations, including some free classic car tablet & phone backgrounds.