Into the dark night — An Elegant Sufficiency

We set out into the darkness last evening, my hero well prepared with both satnav and written instructions, junction by junction. We were not going far - not more than ten miles as the crow flies - but our route was on narrow, unfamiliar country lanes with few landmarks and none of them were going to be lit.

It’s silly, isn’t it, to be “lost” so close to home, but anyone who knows this area at all also knows that it’s tricky finding the right route in daylight, so darkness adds just that bit extra jeopardy. I texted our friends who were coming from the opposite direction to share that the entrance “was the first left after the Animal Cemetery”. We had driven straight past it and had to turn around and retrace our steps.

Once we found our way to the door, there was no doubt we were in the correct place: we’d booked a table at Giffords Circus Winter Sauce in the Old Gore Barn.

We were greeted with a class of hot mulled cider and a juggler! We’d hummed and hawwed about what to wear: would it be chilly in a barn? Would it be casual in the usual circus style or given the time of the year, would people get dressed up? We’d also worried about Covid - the photographs we’d seen were of people dining “banquet style” on long shared tables. Were we being foolhardy to even consider going to something like this given the increase in numbers (and our plans for Christmas)?

Actually, it was all very comfortable - both in terms of warmth, our safety and informality. Everything had been well considered and though we were far from the usual Circus Sauce tent on the common, there were quite a few bits of “personality”.

The tables were well spaced and we had one for four by the window. We settled in and looked forward to a great evening.

The menu was great, in typical Circus Sauce style - and my photo illegible so a screenshot will have to do!

Each dish is brought to the table “family style” on a large serving platter; hearty cooking served in generous portions.

The mix and match Emma Bridgewater pottery was there and all the characteristics of the Circus Sauce we know and love had been transported to the barn for the season. Only the wonky experience of sitting on a chair sinking into wet grass was absent - and not missed one bit!

There was just one empty table as far as we could see, which meant I could take a photo…

Every dish was delicious, but the sauce surrounding the Bavarian Cream dessert was outstanding. Star Anise, Cinnamon and brown sugar - so seasonal, it ticked all my “favourite” boxes.

That it came accompanied by four small, freshly made (warm!) doughnuts was the icing on the cake!

Coffee? Yes please!

A box of brussels sprouts (chocolate truffles!) ? Oh go on then!

After all, we’ve got an “interesting” journey home after such a terrific evening.

(We took the “easy” route back and stuck to the main roads rather than the lanes)

PS

The box containing the brussels sprout truffles also contained a small card advertising the 2022 Circus show which I took and secured in my bag - such things are precious for inclusion in my Christmas Journal and I knew that I would be the only one to value it. This morning, I found it in my bag and noticed a strip of gold tape across the top of one side, which caused me to turn it over and read…