My Dad’s gorgeous garden, and The Icecreamists’ raspberry sorbet

My Disreputable Dad and his other half have been away on holiday this week (to the same place in the South of France that they go every year, to eat at the same restaurant every night – he’s a man who knows what he likes)….  I was left in charge of the garden, which basically meant I had free rein to go in and nick all the strawberries and raspberries.  While I was in there pilfering I took some pictures. It really is an extraordinarily beautiful garden, and he has a skill with roses that I’m sad I haven’t quite inherited.  There are entire beds of the same coloured, ruffled peach roses, and deep scarlet ones too… and around every corner a surprise – a trellised gate wound with delicate pink climbing roses that leads on to a hidden part of the garden with apple trees already groaning with baby fruit (I’ll be back for those)…. and, of course, those raspberry canes – protected with fake birds of prey, painful when you’re collecting raspberries and one bashes you on the back of the head, but they do the trick.

 

Charlie and I crept in one lovely evening and gathered an enormous punnet of raspberries.  Back at home with our spoils, we decided to make raspberry sorbet.  The recipe is adapted from The Icecreamists (out now priced £16.99, published by Octopus Books) - a wonderful book which, when you look past the ‘I’m mad, I am’ over the topness (breast milk ice cream, anyone?) contains some amazingly clever and easy to follow recipes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made ‘Glastonberry’, a seasonal berry sorbetto, and jolly nice it was too.  Scoffed in the garden, watching the sun go down, and wishing my roses were as good as Dad’s.  There’s always next year…

6 Responses to “My Dad’s gorgeous garden, and The Icecreamists’ raspberry sorbet”

1. Debbra Dunning Brouillette says:

   July 28, 2012 at 4:14 pm

   A jolly hello to you, Becky! I love to read your posts in general and loved this one as well. Your witty words and gorgeous photos made me wish I could have a tour of your dad’s garden. When I one day make it across the pond, you must have some raspberry sorbet waiting for me, and then we’ll go in search of bloomin’ roses. To see such beauty at the end of July, when we’ve been in such a drought here, is a welcomed sight! Best to you always…
   • English Mum says:

     July 28, 2012 at 5:17 pm

     Well hello lady! After oohing and ahhing our way round the gardens of Tenerife together, I know that you would love my Dad’s garden. When you make it over we’ll visit Waddesdon Manor’s gorgeous rose garden together and then have afternoon tea! x
2. Johnny says:

   July 28, 2012 at 9:13 pm

   I live in Spain,when I see the delight of an English garden feel quite homesick…
   • English Mum says:

     July 28, 2012 at 9:16 pm

     I know what you mean. When we lived in Ireland it was the little things like pictures of a cricket match, or an evening down the pub which brought on the homesickness…
3. Fiona Stokes says:

   July 28, 2012 at 9:52 pm

   You can’t beat a bit of weeding, always helps after a bad day at work or frustrating day with kids. Looks like your dad loves his gardening. I tend to be a bit hit and miss with mine. When I lived with my mum and dad I remember groaning at Gardners World. Guess what I now watch now ( and my kids groan at ) Think Monty Donn is gorgeous too!
   I have never grown roses but I love the peach one. May try and find it! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
   • English Mum says:

     July 29, 2012 at 2:56 pm

     That’s so funny, Fiona, because I’ve got about 6 Gardeners’ World episodes recorded as I’m never allowed to watch them! Must try and find the name of the peach one x