Big British Food Map Bury and beyond

Date Published:

17/06/2008

Andrew headed to Preston, Bury and beyond

Headed up to Preston, Lancashire today to carry on my exploration of the North. Sadly the annual sore throat has struck. I tried to fend it off with paracetamol, max strength vitamin C, teaspoons of manuka honey and gargling with salt water, but it was to no avail. So I visited the doctor - or primary care trusts, as they're now called - of the people I'm staying with. Got an appointment straight away and there was a pharmacy on site, so happy 60th birthday NHS - cough, cough.

Headed to Bury market today. The website said it closed after lunch but I thought it worth a reccy. I had a chat with the market manager who told me: "You've picked the absolute worst day to come, it's dead on a Tuesday." No problem though, as I'm going back tomorrow when it's in full swing - woo hoo! On the way back to Preston I stopped in at the UK's last functioning temperance bar in Rawtenstall. Also saw this on an old shop front nearby. Anyone remember Rabbit? It was one of the first mobile phone networks; you had to walk around the street till you saw this sign that showed there was a signal nearby so you could make a call. You might laugh but that's the state Wi-Fi is in nowadays.

Double whammy today. Left Preston and drove to Bury to see the market in full swing. It was packed. Left there after lunch and pushed on to Kendal, Cumbria to see Peter Gott at Sillfield Farm. Peter very kindly gave me a selection of his products to try; he also gave me two chorizo. They aren't ready yet, still needing another four weeks to dry out. So I've hung them on the coat hanger thingy in the back of the car to cure, Plus they make the car smell spicy and meaty... yum

Peter Gott also gave me some of his traditional Cumberland sausage, a great pin wheel of it. So tucked into that for brekkie - delicious, with the right blend of spicing and texture. Left Kendal and pushed on up the M6 into a monsoon! Cumbria's got these weird pockets of micro climates. So where one valley can be bright sunshine a couple of miles away it's teaming it down. It's a stunning landscape, mind - you can see why Wordsworth loved it.

Off out for a bike ride later on today. I had this grand idea when I started this project that I'd visit swimming pools along the way to, you know, get some exercise. So far I've been to exactly one and that wasn't open to the public that day as it had a school swim meet in. So, while staying at a mate's house, I've decided to borrow his bike and go for a cycle along the River Cocker.

In contrast to yesterday's glorious sunshine today was straight back to rain, though I did manage a nose round Cockermouth market in the morning. Later that afternoon I went to Keswick, which also had a market on. Paused briefly for some chips before heading back and drying off.

Last night I went for dinner at Quince and Medlar, a veggie restaurant here in Cockermouth. I know... first a temperance bar, now a veggie restaurant, what's happening to me?! Well everyone's always saying we should eat less meat, so one night off wouldn't hurt. And do you know what? I rather enjoyed it. Why? Because it wasn't forced down your throat; it was just tasty food that didn't feature meat. Starter wise I had a goat's cheese and asparagus tart and, for main, roast fennel with polenta and a creamy white wine sauce. I skipped pudding and went for the cheese board. Now I should probably cut down the dairy…