Autumn is for Apples: Killerton Apple & Cider Festival Rings in the Season

Exeter's local National Trust property, Killerton House, is ringing in the harvest with their annual Apple and Cider Festival. On Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 October, visitors to their Sparrow Park orchard will be treated to food, drink, song, and yarn bombing at their annual event.

Along with the cider festival, they're laying on a hog roast, morris dancers, live bands, a magician, wood crafts, archery, cycle tours, cider press demonstrations and more. Not to mention the fact that it's all going to look blooming magical with all the leaves changing colours.

This epically autumnal event is in honour of National Apple Day and Killerton's truly epic apple collection. With over 500 acres of traditionally managed orchards on the Killerton estate, they are growing 100 varieties of old English apple including the Killerton Sweet and Killerton Sharp which originate there. Killerton's wardens and volunteers produced an award-winning cider using a 200 year old farm press, as well as apple juice, apple chutney and orchard honey. And because they use traditional methods, the apples are grown without any chemicals, fertilisers or pesticides.

I was lucky enough to get a hold of a box full of some of their summer harvest and have been whipping up a few recipes to countdown to the event and celebrate this fabulous fruit. In the weeks to come, I will be sharing them here on the blog, so keep an eye out for tastiness.

Macmillan Coffee Morning Comes Harry's

Coffee at Harry's

The world's biggest coffee morning is popping up in lots of Exeter venues but Harry's is bound to be the best. The Longbrook Street eatery is best known as a casual yet classy place for an evening meal with a nice wine list and a very big pud to finish. But on 26 September they are celebrating their 5th year Macmillan Cancer Trust coffee morning with an event everyone can enjoy.

Doors open at 730am and there will be stalls, a raffle, cake, entertainment, and even breakfast. Things should wind down by about 11 and hopefully they will have made a few bob for the trust by then. 

 Harry's is wheelchair and push chair accessible and should be a lovely morning all around.

Restaurant Review: Byron Brings it Proper

Byron Proper Burgers

Don't let the sleek lines and clean design fool you, Princesshay's newest restaurant, Byron: Proper Hamburgers, is definitely about the food, and they're not messing around.  You see, the guys behind Byron are into American burgers - like really into them - and they've done their research. They've drawn from some of the States' finest establishments and most indulgent bun based cheekiness to inspire a menu with a few across-the-pond nods that you won't see at most other British burger joints. Delivered with style and ease, Byron is a welcome addition to the city centre dinnersphere.

Me and my meat eating wing man hubby popped in for an indulgent lunch, taking advantage of the best summer since 2004, for a little al fresco dining. Our friendly server greeted and seated us, and we got down to business.

Byron in the sunshine

We kind of went for it, starting out with the Tortilla Chips which came with a lovely fresh tomato salsa and a guacamole that might just be the best in the city - no really - both chunky and fresh. For the mains, I had the Veggie Burger of Portobello mushroom, goats cheese and Mediterranean veg with an order of courgette fries, and a glass of cloudy lemonade. And my carnivorous comrade had the Smokey burger with a portion of skin on chips and a side of macaroni cheese all washed down with a Brew Dog pale ale.

Lunch for two at Byron

For little old vegetarian me, my veggie burger was as good as any I've had, but the courgette fries(!) are something I only seen in the states and Byron were in fact BETTER than what I've had there. They were crispy, crunchy, perfectly seasoned and really worth the visit on their own.  My lemonade was just like mom used to make and, for research purposes, I sneaked a taste of the mac n' cheese and can attest to it being as rich as any of Uncle Sam's offerings. Vegetarians & vegans can also try the avocado salad or mix up the veggie burger with additional/alternative sides like sliced avocado, crispy fried onions and jalepenos as well as a selection of cheeses and sauces. 

The summer special: The Smokey

My partner also had high praise for his Smokey burger, saying that it fully lived up to its name with the taste of well...smokiness, coming through every bite.  All that smoked cheddar, smokey barbecue sauce, crispy bacon and crispy onions perfectly complimented his medium rare Scottish beef patty and made for some very happy dining. His beer was a light, deliciously malty, day time pale ale called Dead Pony Club by Brew Dog, part of a collection of quality craft beers available for on site.

And for puds, I had the brownie and he had the cheesecake. My brownie was hot and deliciously gooey and topped with a scrumptious drizzle of chocolate sauce. My husband's white chocolate cheesecake was an entirely different affair. This chilled cheesecake on a biscuit base, was decadently rich and well accompanied by the blueberry sauce.  A perfect end end to proper lunch.

And the kitchen were so quick as well.

Inside it's like a film noir set. Love the backlit factory windows.

Check Out Exeter's New Library

Exeter's Newly Refurbished Library

Exeter's newly refurbished library has been open for just over a month and to put it bluntly: it's fantastic. The team behind it have well and truly hit the nail on the head.

It is a space that does everything a library should in the 21st century. The cafe with al fresco seating in Rougemont Gardens is welcoming and open. The general lending area is clear and easily accessible. The children's library is lively and engaging. And whole space is so light airy and uncluttered that I could easily spend all day there.

Add to this their ample wifi, free web access, solar power and the awe inspiring Fab Lab and there are definitely reasons to be cheerful about your next check out.

Cafe Opening onto Rougemont Gardens at Exeter Central Library

I've visited twice so far and can't wait to get back - hopefully before my books are overdue. They seem keen to fill place with activity and get away from the traditional hushed environment. The first time I popped in, there were about 50 parents and children singing to their hearts' content in the children's library. When I went back the following Saturday, the Fab Lab was open with robots play with, a 3D printer to explore, and I even got to play with a homemade theremin!

New Children's Library

Friendly Robots at the FabLab

Closed for refurbishment for what seemed like eons, Exeter's Library has now become a place for discovery. Exactly what a library should be. Well done you lot. And thanks very much.

Some books at the Library

New entrance at Exeter Central Library

Summer has Landed at the Exeter University Outdoor Swimming Pool

Exeter Outdoor Swimming Pool
Source: University of Exeter

With all of this lovely sunshine on the go I decided to take a little dip in the pool over the weekend. Just a quick stroll off Prince Charles Road and I arrived at Exeter University's outdoor pool. A delightful oasis on a lovely sunny day in the city, the 25m pool has a lane swimming section but most of its visitors are just in it to make a splash. Families in waders and students catching rays, it's relaxed friendly and an easy alternative it you haven't gotten up early enough to make it to Exmouth for the day.

If you're planning to go on your own, travel light as they have changing rooms but no lockers.  The cost of a single swim is just £3 for adults and free for under 5s if you're not a member -which is petty good, because you could easily stay all day. There are picnic tables and a shop next door if you fancy a bit of lunch.

All in all a good day out.

Cornwall House Swimming pool is open daily from 8am-8pm, from now until 21 September 2014. 

7 facts about 9 places in the world also called Exeter

(Souce TonyBaldasaro)

Exeter, Devon may be the originator, but we've got tribute acts all over the globe. Let's meet some of our namesakes.

1. Exeter, Rhode Island is a small town in the smallest state in America. It's claim to fame is as the site "one of the best documented cases of the exhumation of a corpse in order to perform rituals to banish an undead manifestation", the Mercy Brown Vampire Incident of 1892. I know, it's a little crazy right?

2. Exeter New Hampshire, is our largest and famous twin. In fact it in inspired a book after two Exeter police officers, Eugene Bertrand and David Hunt, and a local teenager witnessed a bright red UFO at close range in 1965. The sighting attracted national press and the US Air Force admitted to the three men that it had been unable to identify the strange object they had observed. It is still considered to be one of the most impressive UFO sightings on record. Locals have even started putting on a festival in honour of the event.

3. Exeter. CA is apparently the 'citrus capital of the world'. Suck on that Florida!

Exeter Loves Mural (Source BostonPL)

4. Exeter, Canada calls itself, the 'Home of the White Squirrel' and has an annual festival in honour of this furry creature. They also have a town mascot by the name of 'Willy the Wonder Dog', who goes to the town rodeo. Why don't we have a rodeo?

White Squirrel in the Place (Source: Conrad Kuiper)

5. Exeter, Illinois is the smallest Exeter with only 70 people. That's right the entire population could fit onto the dance floor at The Cavern. In fact, they could join the good people of Exeter Tasmania, pop. 389,  and Exeter nr Adelaide, Australia, pop. 397 in the visitors stand at St James Park, with room to spare.

6. Exeter, Pennsylvania - not to be confused with Pennsylvania, Exeter - is a former mining town which was devastated after the Susquehanna River broke into a 150 ft hole in the roof of a neighbouring mine.  The whole network of anthracite mines was flooded during this Knox Mine disaster of 1959.  Approximately 10 billion US Gallons of water poured into the gaping hole, twelve workers died and it was the end of an industry for the town.

7. Exeter Nebraska, got it's name because some of it's settlers were Exeter, New Hampshire but mostly because the railroad needed a town with an 'E' name for their alphabetical railway line. So it sits between Crete and Dorchester to the east, and Fairmont, Grafton, Hastings, Inland, Juniata, Kenesaw and Lowell to the west.

Local folk at Gregs Market in Exeter, Nebraska. (Source: USDAgov)

Exeter's Most Romantic Destination?

photo: © Helen Lisk 2013 -4

I asked Exeter based portrait and wedding photographer, Helen Lisk to name the most romantic spot in the city. Her answer was resoundingly clear: Exeter Quayside. Helen has been doing beautiful wedding photography all over Exeter and Devon for years, so she certainly knows a thing or two about romance.

So what makes the Exeter Quayside such a romantic place?

I started a love affair with Exeter when I moved here ten years ago. We’ve always lived near to the Quayside, and I absolutely adore this area. Whereas there are endless beautiful places to enjoy near Exeter, from beaches, to moors, to the beautiful river valley and countryside, Exeter itself is just so lovely that we often don’t choose to go anywhere else. I love the openness of the river, the way that you can walk from the quay, along the river bank and feel like you are outside of the city in minutes. We love to hire a bike from Saddles & Paddles and explore the paths around the river and canal, head up to the Turf Locks for a pint of beer in the sunshine, watch the estuary in the late afternoon light. I love browsing through all the quirky little shops at the quay, or wandering across to The Welcome Café for coffee and cake in its lovely rooms. So it should come as no surprise that my idea of a romantic evening in Exeter would be based in this area.

When I first moved to Exeter with my lovely other half, Ian, we’d often go for a wander around the Quayside in the evening. So my ideal romantic evening would start here, with a walk along the riverside, the sun setting over the city, watching the swans nestling down for the night. I love to be reminded of what a beautiful place that we live in, and every time I walk around this area, I do just think how lucky we are to be here in Exeter. We would then have to head up the hill to the utterly wonderful Hour Glass Inn. Our first home in Exeter was just around the corner from this fantastic pub, and we have spent countless happy hours there over the years, tucked away at one of its little tables and sampling delicious local beers. For a special evening, I’d want to eat here as well, as the food is utterly delicious. Probably finishing with one of the lovely single malts on offer behind the bar and a quick game of Bananagrams on the pub table.

Photo: © Helen Lisk Photography 2013 -2

On our first New Year’s Eve in Exeter, we walked from the Hour Glass and shared a bottle of champagne with friends at midnight, standing on Colleton Crescent and watching all the fireworks going off over across the city. This would be the perfect end to my evening – maybe without the champagne and probably no fireworks in the sky this time, but to stand there, snuggle up with my husband and look at all the lights twinkling across lovely Exeter… perfect!

© Helen Lisk Photography 2013 -11

See more of Helen's work on at www.helenliskphotography.co.uk, or follow her on Facebook and Twitter at @helenliskphoto.