After buying three more large bags of compost from Ferndene Farm Shop we drove north to Hockey’s Farm Café for brunch.
Beckley Common Road was just one of the many dappled lanes we traversed.
On this hot and sultry day the staff of Hockey’s Café – all seven rushed off their feet – remained their usual friendly and welcoming selves. Apparently they had been non-stop all morning, which is how they like it.
It is a family run concern also provide animal feed and other such stores and operate a shop selling home produced and other naturally grown provisions, which may be consumed in their plentiful meals on comfortable seating. During the winter blankets are draped over each chair should extra warmth be required – not that there was any call for that today. An aviary of exotic caged birds; specialist chickens, geese, donkeys, ponies, alpacas, and even two wild boars discovered in the forest, all entertain visitors, young and old alike.
Having lunched here for a number of years we have each settled on
firm favourite meals, Jackie’s being called ‘Laura’s Favourite’; mine ‘The Hungry One’ – to which toast had not yet been added when I photographed them. The quality of the ingredients is apparent. Jackie’s choice of cheese in the thick wedge of toast was Blue Vinny; given a choice of salad or chips, as is customary, she chose the fresh salad. I drank tea, while my wife drank latte coffee. The delicate, elegant, cup and saucer add to the homely cottage ambience. It is very good value for money, although the various extra items like hessian bags, pictures, and teapots tend to be priced for the tourist market – but we are no longer simply visiting the area.
Apart from the restrictions during Covid lockdowns the quality of Hockey’s food has remained consistently nourishing, well cooked and presented to an expected consistency over the years. It wasn’t that much of a hardship to receive breakfast in a bun wrapped in a paper bag with disposable cutlery to eat alfresco on tables at a social distance. That they kept going is to their credit.
A cricket match at Hyde provided six Spot the Ball competitions. The gallery enlargements are helpful. Entrants earn a bonus point for the first.
The first five pictures of these donkeys and foals outside the Fighting Cocks pub are mine; the next six, Jackie’s.
A young girl thoroughly enjoyed photographing and stroking a sleepy donkey foal under the gaze of its proud mother and was delighted to be photographed doing so.
On the opposite side of Roger Penny Way several ponies grazed with their foals. It is fascinating how the mothers, when latched onto by their offspring remain negligently necking their own nutriment.
A heavy horse towing a trap raised other photographers’ interest.
As I made my way back to our car I noticed what appeared to be a Classic Jaguar convention beside the Modus.
Jackie was close enough to produce more pictures and to hear the discussions featuring how and where each owner sourced vital bits and pieces.
Our last foal of the day was being taught the game of disrupting the traffic on Tiptoe Road.
This evening we all dined on spring rolls; tempura, salt and pepper, and hot and spicy prawn preparations on a bed of Jackie’s tasty vegetable rice with which she finished the Bangla and I finished the Appassimento.
What a lovely day. It looks like your donkey foals have the same shag cut when extra long fur on the forehead is rubbed off by sticking a nose between fence slats like Emmett and Vroman have or had.
Yes, they are very similar, Pat. Thank you very much
I love the donkey and pony photos, Derrick, they are so cute! I like the old cars too, my dad has had antique cars in his collection for decades. Great post! ❤️????????????
Thank you very much, John
I love this! What a brilliant review of Hockey’s.
You were right about “gone are the days when I just write about where we’ve dined!” And you know exactly what I’m going to ask for in a a couple of weeks.
Graham loved his classic cars and would have enjoyed this convention.
What a super set of images, I love the sleepy little donkey.
Thank you so much, Sue. It will be my pleasure to comply.
between point’s knees?
Yep. Well spotted, Geoff. Thanks very much
Between the fielder’s legs.
Yep. Well spotted, Tootlepedal. Thanks a lot
My favorite is the girl stroking the sleeping foal. It looks like such a tender moment.
Yes. She was lovely. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
On a cold and rainy Sunday morning, your collection of donkey photos brightened up my day Derrick …
Cheers, Ivor
I always enjoy seeing the ponies, donkeys, and foals. Those mamas know they gotta keep munching to make milk for the babies.
Exactly, JoAnna. Thanks very much
A lovely day out. Thanks for sharing.
Cricket is a perfect example of a human activity understood only by a few. (Brits, Indians and Pakistanis. Australians “mayhap”?).
Mind you, Baseball is not quite understood anywhere outside of Boston…
Thank you very much, Brian
A lovely day out with good food, animals and scenery. Ferndene Farm Shop sounds just like the kind of place I would like to visit! The donkey and pony foals are adorable, as always. My best to you and Jackie. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. ❤️
Thank you so much from us both, Lavinia X
Love the classic cars. Thanks for sharing, Derrick.
Much appreciated, Jill
COVID did a lot to alter business practices, eh?! I was pleased when I found favorite restaurants here slowly, surely re-established themselves to pre-COVID levels of service so soon after restrictions were lifted. On the other hand, one served me slop at old prices, making me stay away. The hardest part here, probably there, has been finding people to work low-paid service jobs. Minimum wages just don’t attract people and many people aren’t looking to return to the job force if they can work at home.
Thanks very much, Doug. Our major effects of the financial problems are the number of strikes those who can are subjecting on those who can’t – wanting to return to pre-Covid salaries
Heree, jobs are going unfilled at the old pay rates and employers are having top raise their rates or figure out how to do the same with fewer people.
Summer always has these games of local cricket every Saturday or Sunday. I suppose they must have leagues and cups to play for!
I played every Saturday and Sunday. Thanks a lot, John
I thoroughly enjoyed this post, Derrick. Ferdene Shop and Cafe seems like such a wonderful place. I love the china cups with the hearty meal. It’s great they managed to maintain standards and survive lockdown–so many places here have not.
I love all the animal photos–particularly the young girl with the donkey.
What a wonderful day you had–and a delicious dinner at the end!
Thank you so much, Merril
What a lovely spread of food, and those donkeys mingling with humans….beautiful.
Thank you very much, Arlene
What a glorious day and such a beautiful assortment of photos. I loved seeing the old cars.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re most welcome, Derrick.
A lovely day together. It is so satisfying when the food in our favourite places remain good as ever. Playing cricket is a scene which we see here often 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much, Lakshmi
Oh my, your day just kept getting more and more delightful! Good for you, Derrick – you captured so many beautiful scenes! And Jackie’s additions were wonderful, too. Thanks for sharing a day in the life of the Knights! We thoroughly enjoyed it. Wish we coulda popped over!!
Thanks very much, Jan. Maybe ons day beaming up will be possible 🙂
Good, reasonably-priced, family-run establishments where everything is “fait maison” should be cherished.
Thank you so much, Sheree
Pleasure Derrick
So many lovely Human-Beans and other creatures enjoying life!
I especially like the photo of the little girl so lovingly and gently spending time with the donkey foal!
(((HUGS))) ❤️
PS…I enjoy all your restaurant reviews! I like supporting local, and family owned/run, restaurants wherever we have lived.
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
A day full of various rewarding experiences and photo opportunities.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are most welcome, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
What an interesting outing.
Thank you very much, Lindsey