Seafood and craic

Being of Irish extraction, I was sure to enjoy Murphy’s Guy’s 17th Oyster Festival Seafood Luncheon at Guy’s Thatched Hamlet at Bilsborrow near Garstang.

No-one’s enthusiasm was dampened by yet another wet day, although the oysters could not arrive by barge as they traditionally do on account of the weather. In the huge marquee, we were invited to dine at our leisure from the various seafood bars, which served chowder, seafood salad and, of course, loads of oysters! Strawberries and cream and another twist of Irish, the coffee, were offered to finish. Murphy’s Irish Stout was on tap all afternoon and other drinks included champagne and spirits and Guy’s own wine, neatly named, “Plonque”!

Prizes were given for the most elegant and appropriate hat (I couldn’t quite tell whether the Dublin-bought, traffic cone-shaped headwear won!) and the most outrageous and appropriate tie. The afternoon was in association with Lancashire Magazine, whose photographer was on hand to capture all the greatest moments. As well as the food and drink, the Irish connections were evident in the entertainment with live jiggy music from “Murphy’s Law”, plus Irish dancing and general craic.

Slainte!