SANDY LANE FARM, TIDDINGTON

Over the weekend we got the chance to visit Sandy Lane Farm in Tiddington. Thanks to British Food Fortnight they are hosting a plethora of events over the next two weeks and I'm sure Hannah and I will enjoy the benefits (we may even go to the Seasonal Supper!).

As we walked into the main court yard of the farm on a rather chilly Saturday morning I knew we were in for a treat.

With the farm house tightly nestled between ancient wooden barns and new born piglets running around a spacious pen as their enormous mother idly slept certainly re-enforced for me, the family's commitment to providing local organic vegetables and pasture raised animals bred in an ethical manor. 

As you can imagine it was the perfect farm for any member of the Paleo community to visit and makes this whole journey worth while as finding these little patches of perfection takes time and effort, and to find one 30 minutes from my door was so gratifying!

We also had the pleasure of buying their freshly picked produce direct from the barn and I happily filled a box with various squashes (its finally squash season!), potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, apples and of course some pork chops and a huge chunk of pork belly! I was a child in a candy shop, touching everything, enjoying the mix of scents emanating from the ancient wood, freshly turned dirt and perfectly ripe veggies.

Thankfully our day wasn't over as we joined Farmer Bennet  for a tour of their organic fields and an introduction to the larger scale methods of organic farming on an 8 year cycle starting with 2 years of nitrogen building and followed by differing vegetables depending on their needs. Super interesting as it certainly opened my eyes to growing sustainable on a larger scale with their 25 acre plot split into 8 sections meaning they are always producing differing vegetables for market.

Remember the pigs I mentioned? Eggs LOVED them, I'm convinced he thought they were frenchies and was desperately trying to get under the fence to run around with them, or whining incessantly with his tail in the air just hoping one would escape. It was adorable on both accounts as the piglets would get more brave until Eggs gained an inch and they would scurry off only to return two minutes later trying to discern what this black storting animal trying to play with them was.

BLUEGRASS BBQ, HIGH WYCOMBE

Bluegrass BBQ has been on Hannah and I's radar for a few months after Hannah saw the Ten Mile Menu guys tweeting about a new BBQ joint opening up in Wycombe, we patiently waited and followed along on Facebook & Twitter until Tuesday last week rolled around and their doors opened.

As we walked in and took our seats I was struck by the décor, a simple retro American theme with custom decorated wall panels throughout helping set the scene for a genuine American BBQ joint and with the place settings and simply presented sauces I was reminded of my last real BBQ experience at Grillstock in Bristol. Also, the restaurant was surprisingly busy for 7pm on a Tuesday night, who know Wycombe was screaming out for good independent restaurants? Oh yeah, EVERYONE! (micro rant, over.)

I went for a pulled pork & brisket whilst Hannah opted for a simple pulled pork. The meat was perfectly cooked, still juicy and very tender, in fact I'd have to say it out did Grillstock for me and I'll definitely be going back shortly to try some more of their sauces and sample a few other items on the menu.

I didn't sweat about the non Paleo fries, sometimes life gives you BBQ and who would I be to say no?

P.S - Please go and support another indie restaurant in Wycombe - Mom's Diner. They are going through some tough times after their fire last year and need our support to get back on their feet. I'll be popping in for a coffee sometime this week!