Sawadee

The weather looked promising. We headed out. There was an "Amazing Thailand" festival at Milford in Surrey.

It seemed like too good an opportunity to miss. There is a Thai charitable trust run by a group from Midhurst and for the last 10 years they have arranged this festival.

We weren't sure what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised by the range of events and stalls. There were beer tents, Thai Massage tents, meditation tents, fabrics, groceries, flowers, and more street-food stalls than you could shake a stick at.

The weather remained warm and bright and we worked our way round methodically. One of the stall holder, and Englishman with a Thai wife, got chatting and explained that he flies out there in January and stays for four months to avoid the worst of the winter. (Sounds like a nice plan). We also had a long chat with a woman from Thai Airways, she confirmed that the seats we had booked for our flights were the best selection we could have made.

We continued the circuit of the site and watched part of the official opening ceremony (and accompanying speeches). Then it was time to try the food.

The Silver Vixen tried some coconut noodles with some chicken; the Gorse Fox had pad thai (which was delicious), and then tried some Thai sausages and barbecued pork. The sausage was interesting as it was similar to chorizo, without being as oily, and without the flavour being so intense.

We returned to main stage and watched the Thai music group and then the Thai dancing. Their costumes were exquisite and their grace was delightful. (But it was hardly Strictly come Dancing - thank goodness).

After the dancing we headed for the display tent where we watched a Thai celebrity chef (Minny C) provide a demonstration Thai cookery. She prepared a pork curry, then a chicken fried rice, and finally a beef salad. The Gorse Fox learned a lot from the hints and tips (rather than the cookery itself).

After she had finished, her mother, who opened the first Thai restaurant in the country, came on stage and prepared a pad thai.

A gentle rain had started as we left the tent, but it wasn't really heavy enough to stop us. We did another circuit of the site and then headed back to the car. It had been a super day and we both commented how much we had enjoyed it.