Howdy all!
It’s November. I know, I know, but I ‘has to be done.’ Preparation is Key.’ I think… I wrote a note somewhere, but I lost it.
There is an incredible show available free on YouTube called ‘Parts Unknown.’ If you have not seen it and like your food and travel I highly recommend you do. It is not just some celeb on yet another jolly to Italy to discover themselves and cook pasta on a camping hob out on a windy Tuscan hill whilst they sip from a jug of Chianti.
It travels to many places we don’t often associate for their culinary traits. The truth is, everywhere has something wonderful, everywhere has something bad. Are you telling me every single French restaurant in France is 5 stars, every book written a masterpiece? Nope. Bourdain delves deep in to humanity, cultures, people, truth and the darkest depths of comedy and existence.
Why am I bringing up a random travel show? Well. There is one particular episode Season 7 Episode 1, Manila, Philippines where they tell him that on the 1st of September each year everyone goes on Facebook and wishes each other Merry Christmas. Now that… is dedication… that… is preparation. That… is a third of your year dedicated to Christmas. Impressive.
It is also a very good episode. If you have not seen it, give it a go. It focuses on the OFW Overseas Filipino workers at this time of year, far from their families and the gifts they send back, often not seeing their own families for years, many dedicating their lives to raise other families abroad. These workers contribute 10% of their national GDP by working all over the world. It is heartwarming as can be, with a mother singing Edelweiss at around the family table. If you don’t shed a tear then you are made of stone… stone. In my opinion it is some of the finest television ever made, recommended to me by Lily years back, so thank you Lily!
Anyways, enough of my pointless ramblings, watch it if you have not, and if you don’t want to… don’t!
What you should do however is come get a Norfolk grown Christmas tree from our farm shop as well as our fresh and well hung beef. The trees should hopefully be ready to go from Sat 29/11/25 with a range of sizes and types. Just pop in and grab yours, prices will be outside with the trees and in the shop We then will have our last batch of beef in Before Christmas on Friday 05/12/25. The last lot went so very very fast and we know you will be after your bits for Christmas so we thought we would give a heads up. It will be Belted Galloway. Grass fed and utterly delicious. Fish van here on Thursdays, and the shop is full to the brim. The mince pies are a must try! Had a real craving for them the other day. Never used to be my bag, but was very impressed. The lovely Val at Orchard Farm Shop kindly made us a load of sausages and bacon before they closed their doors for good. We have some bacon left in the stand-up Freezer as the rest has now nearly all gone, so if you want a slice of her magic do come get it before it all goes.
Whatever you are, wherever you be, have a wonderful week, weekend, Christmas and beyond x
Surlingham 
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