Wholemeal At Its Heart...

Every now and then, you find something which is best described as a comfort food. It might be a taste from your childhood, or it might just be something which is so un-pretentious and down to earth that you can only relax when you consume it.

McVitie's Digestives are just such a comfort food.


A digestive biscuit, originally known as a Wheaten, is sometimes referred to as a sweet-meal biscuit and is a semi-sweet biscuit which originated in the United Kingdom. It is probably closest to the graham cracker in America, though the graham cracker is a typically a bit dryer and more brittle. They were originally known as Digestive biscuits because their high baking soda/sodium bicarbonate content was thought to aid in digestion.


In 1830, Robert McVitie opened a provision shop in Edinburgh and ran his baking operation in the basement. Alexander Grant came to work at McVitie's in 1887 and five years later created McVitie's Digestive. For over over 100 years that same secret recipe has been used to the delight of millions.


McVitie's Digestive is uniquely delicious, with its sweet wheaty taste and distinctive size making it one of the most popular British biscuits today.


Whether enjoyed crunched or dipped in a cup of tea, it is a familiar sight across the UK. But be warned to not dunk it too long in your tea, or it will tend to fall apart.


I can't think of a more perfect accompaniment to a cold or rainy day than the comfort of one of these biscuits. Not too sweet, not too dry, not to crispy, they are the perfect way to enjoy a quiet moment of relaxation during any day.


More information can be found at McVitie's

And This is Timber Racing!

When the last two Saturdays arrive in Baltimore, there is a part of the city whose focus is not on the American pastime of baseball, but rather an earlier and much deeper and British connection to the turf and horse racing. 

I must say, the Grand National is one of my favorite races. For the money, a general admission pass will give you three great races viewed from a hillside with a picnic basket and a waterproof picnic blanket. This is a hard value to beat when it comes to racing and the view of the course.

2012 Grand National

The Grand National began in 1898 when several young men who wanted to compete in the Maryland Hunt Cup, but were too young to enter. All the riders were under 16 and rode ponies, except for one horse. The race was run over 2 1/2 miles near Chattolanee Hotel near the Golf Course of the present Green Spring Valley Club. As the riders became older, the age limit was raised so they could continue to participate. 

The race continued to be run over various courses in the Green Spring Valley through 1917, with the lengthening to 3 miles in 1906 and averaging 15 to 20 fences plus ditches and even streams. 

With a brief hiatus due to World War I, the race resumed in 1920 at Five Farms, the estate of Stuart Oliver, until the property was sold in Baltimore Country Club for their new golf course. 

In 1925 the Grand National moved to Brooklandwood, the estate of Captain Isaac Emerson, now the site of St. Paul's School at the corner of Falls Road and Green Spring Valley Road, where it remained through 1934. This 3 mile course consisted of 15 fences averaging 4'1" high and also had a water jump. 

2012 Grand National

Another move was in store for the race, this time to Hereford Farms at the corner of York road and Piney Hill Road, just south of Hereford, where the race was run from 1935 until 1941, when World War II again interrupted racing. The Hereford Farms course was 1 1/2 miles long run twice around and had 16 fences to be negotiated. It was also here that the first subscriber fee was introduced to watch the races. 

With the war over, the Grand National was once again resumed in 1946, this time in its final and current location, Western Run Valley and the farms of the Griswold and Fenwick families. The 3 mile course consisted of 18 fences, 2 board and 16 rail, ranging from 3'9" to 4'2" high.

While the Grand National is often compared to the Maryland Hunt Cup, there are distinct differences, the Grand National is a shorter race, resulting in faster racing. The Hunt Cup is the real test of a horses endurance.

This isn't your average horse race. The horses, averaging 10-13 years old race over 22 fences, 4 board and 18 rail, ranging in height from 2'11" at the water jump to 4'10" at the number 16 fence. And that is it, one race! It is an entire afternoon spent picnicking and tailgating. The only vendors present are selling the race program and race caps and t-shirts. There is no other commercial activity and no commercial advertising present anywhere. How many other horse racing events are only based around one race? And how many major sporting events are still void of corporate sponsorships? I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be on the last Saturday in April.

13th Fence at the 2012 Maryland Hunt Cup

The Maryland Hunt Cup began in 1894 when the members of the Elkridge Hunt challenged members of Green Spring Valley Hunt to a timber race on Dr. William Lee's property near Stevenson Station in the Green Spring Valley and heading east finishing near George Brown's race track at Brooklandwood, a distance of 4 miles. The first race was limited to members of those two clubs, but the next year the race was opened to members of any fox hunt in Maryland, and in 1903, members from recognized hunts throughout the United States and Canada were invited to participate.

The next year the race began at Hampton Gate on Dulaney Valley Road, a mile north of Towson, and ran over a circular course of about 4 1/8 miles. In 1896, the race returned to the Green spring Valley, starting at Brooklandwood and running a distance of a little less than 5 miles. It remained in that area one last time in 1897, starting in a field directly north of Brooklandville Station on the east side of Falls Road.

In 1898 the race moved near Cockeysville, starting and ending at Gerar, the country home of E. Gittings Merryman, near Cockeysville and the following year to “Long Green,” the country seat of W.S.G. Williams. The house at Gerar was demolished by 1962 to make way for Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, with the remainder of the property becoming part of the Hunt Valley Industrial Park and Long Green would become part of the Deford/Boordy Vineyard Estate.


The race returned to the Green Spring Valley in 1900 and 1901 before moving to R.M. Dennison’s farm, Salona in Timonium in 1902. 

Then in 1903, the race started 1/4 mile north of Towson, directly east of York Road, and finishing at Hampton.

In 1904, the Hunt cup returned form one last run in the Green Spring Valley, site of its birth ten years earlier, where it remained through 1914, running over a number of owners properties.

In 1915, the Hunt Cup left the Green Spring Valley for good, never to return. That year it was run for the first time in the Worthington Valley, starting and finishing at Merberne Manor Farm, the home of G. Bernard Fenwick, where it remained through 1918. Since the Fenwick Farm was entirely fenced in wire, the race committee had to build panel fences in order to run the race.

With the Fenwick Farm being planed in corn in 1919, the race moved back to Hampton in Dulaney Valley for two years before moving to Five Farms, country home of Stuart Oliver, for the 1921 race, that last race to be run outside Worthington Valley.

Finish Line at the 2012 Maryland Hunt Cup

In 1922, the Hunt Cup returned to the Worthington Valley and Snow Hill, the home of Charles L.A. Heiser, and the present Hunt Cup course. Since that time, the course has remained fixed, with only the names of the property owners changing over the years.


The present course was originally laid out by G. Bernard Fenwick and Thomas Disney and has stood the test of time, still providing perhaps the most challenging and well know steeplechase course on either side of the Atlantic. It is this race, and this race alone which receives regular mention in British Steeplechase racing circuits and for good reason.


So the last Saturday in April each year, I make the trek to Worthington Valley to join my friends and many strangers and watch one of the greatest spectacles in Steeplechase racing. I wouldn't have it any other way!

A Boot for Fashion and Foul Weather...

After a few years working in the garden and continually discovering large amounts of dirt and other things lodged inside my shoes and transported back inside my house, I knew I had to come up with a better solution.


And then last year at the My Lady's Manor Races when the rain was coming down in buckets, mud caked the bottoms of my trousers and there was nothing I could do to prevent that from happening. My feet were dry with the boots I was wearing, but my trouser cuffs were a muddy wet mess. I had to do something to improve my situation.

Luckily for me, my wife had the solution to both my problems. It was time to invest in a pair of Wellies.

And when it comes to Wellies, there is nothing better than the classic green boots for which Hunter has become famous.

Hunter has helped to turn the rubber boot into a country classic and of late a coveted fashion item. A "Hunter," in various styles, can be seen today on from farms in the country to college campuses in cities and towns.

The company was originally established in 1856 in Edinburgh, Scotland by American entrepreneur Henry Lee Morris as the North British Rubber Company, which was to eventually become known as Hunter Boot Ltd. many years later. They not only made rubber boots but a variety of rubber products to include tires, conveyor belts, combs, golf balls, hot water bottles and rubber flooring.

Wellington boots or the more commonly known ’Wellies’, were not created by Hunter, by were in fact created by a shoe maker named Hoby of St. James, London, to a design by The Duke of Wellington in 1817. Originally fashioned from fine, soft calf leather, they were the first boots of their kind to be created. And while leather versions of those original Wellington Boots are still made, it was the rubber variations manufactured later in the 19th century with which most Americans are familiar.

During World War I Hunter produced their Wellington Boots for the heavy wet clay and flooded trenches of the battle fields. The Scottish mills ran day and night to eventually produce 1,185,036 pairs to meet the Army’s demands.

Today, Hunter’s are worn on happier days and can be found in a fun array of sizes, colors and quirky limited editions to brighten up any cloudy day. And while Prince Harry of Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge have been seen sporting other brands of Wellies, the likes of Kate Moss, Kate Winslet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Brooke Shields, Hilary Duff, Katy Perry, Ashley Olsen, Dakota Fanning, Liv Tyler, Reese Witherspoon and others.

While at the Maryland Grand National, with forecasts of rain threatening the days festivities, Hunter's could be found being worn long before the the rain arrived. Even at fashion conscious events like this, it is Hunter's which are the go to footwear when rainy weather threatens.

And while there are many other makers of the Wellington boot, it is Hunter which has not only won a royal warrants for their boots, but also the hearts and loyalties of Americans as well.

Two Weeks of Amazing Racing in Monkton...

So what is the difference between and Point-to-Point and a Steeplechase? Well in the UK, the Steeplechases are held over permanent courses using National Hunt rules and Point-to-Points are traditionally over ad hoc courses, though many are held on permanent courses now. But for the average spectator, there is no noticeable difference between the two types of racing, especially in the US, other than a difference in names used for them.

2012 Elkridge-Harford Point-to-Point

Last on the list before the "big three" is the Elkridge-Harford Point-to-Point. It's held each year at Atlanta Hall Farm, in Monkton, Maryland. I don't know what it is about this race which I like so much, but it's certainly a favorite, which is saying a lot given how much I like the rest of the races in Maryland. Again, like Green Spring, this is an early season race, so be prepared for cool, windy and/or wet. I rarely head to any of the races without my Barbour and wellies in my car.


This race is not heavily advertised. As a matter of fact, even aware of where I was headed, I drove right past Pocock Road and had to turn around, as there was no sign even mentioning the races were being held that day.


But what this race lacks in advertising, it makes up for in style and racing. The course has 15 timber fences, a combination of stacked, board, rail and coop, over about 3 miles.

2012 Elkridge-Harford Point-to-Point

I should also note, that tailgating at both Green Spring and Elkridge-Harford are very casual informal affairs. That isn't to say they are pedestrian, just not over the top. Think classic, old fashioned tailgating.


The vast majority of those in attendance at this race, like Green Spring, are either closely connecting with the hunt or racing, or they are fairly serious followers of the sport.


The following weekend, just down the road is the first of the "Big Three" of Maryland Steeplechase Racing. With a greater amount of advertising, they attract a much wider audience and here you will find many people who have never watched a race before, and quite a few who probably never even see the horses run while they are at the races.


This first "big race" is the My Lady's Manor Races. This race was first run in 1902 and after a brief hiatus, was established as an annual event in 1909. In 1922, the John Rush Street Memorial was added to the Manor Race card. Even in the lean years of the Great Depresssion, the Manor Races flourished nevertheless, with as many as four races on the card. The main race was run over about 3 miles with 16 timber fences, a combination of stacked, board and rail.

2012 My Lady's Manor Races

For 69 years  the race was run over a course on the Secor, Pearce, Riggs and Warfield properties in Monkton, Maryland near the intersection of Monkton and Markoe Roads. Even in this quite part of the state, new houses have been built where famous race horses once battled it out for the finish line. Then in 1978, the race moved to its current location adjacent to the Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club and Ladew Gardens.


All three races on the card today at the Manor Races are run over timber on the 3 mile course of 16 timber fences. The fences on the course are set at about 3 foot 7 inches, which are the lowest fences of the big three races in Maryland.


And this is something else which really sets Maryland racing apart from other places in America. Maryland is known for timber racing. They jump a combination of stacked, board and rail fences, all very hard and unforgiving. Those soft brush fences which are seen elsewhere are not found in Maryland and when a horse comes into contact with one, you hope for the best for both horse and rider.

2012 My Lady's Manor Races

At the Manor Races, you need to take your time to find the right spot from which to watch the races. There are quite a few different options and everyone seems to have their favorites.


And the crowd here is as varied as the vantage point form which to watch the races. The tailgates/picnics and clothing are found in a wide range of styles to suit each of the many spectators. The Manor Races probably represent the most socially diverse crowd of any of the the big three races, and passes are available next door to the course at Ladew Gardens on the day of the race.


And like all of the races, they are held rain or shine, so first dress for the weather and then for the occasion. While those bad days might not be for everyone, the loyal followers of the sport will always be found in Monkton the first two weekends in April regardless of the weather. I know that's where I will always be!

And so the Steeplechases Begin...

Every year, the Foxhall Farm Trophy Chase kicks off Maryland's steeplechase season in late March. This is probably the least known of all the Maryland Races despite having perhaps the largest trophy of any of the races.

2011 Foxhall Farm Trophy Chase Winning Team from the Green Spring Valley Hunt

It began in 1920 over timber at the Monkton, Maryland home of renowned American sportsman, Foxhall P. Keene. His intent was to encourage participation in the sport and the race is run by teams of three, all regular followers of a recognized hunt. To honor the winning team, Keene commissioned a challenge cup which was to be held by the victorious hunt until the next renewal if the race. Made of sterling silver, it is one of the most impressive trophies in the sport.

I was unable to make the race this year, but last year it was held on a brisk sunny early Spring afternoon at the Green Spring Valley Hunt Club, current holders of the trophy. A really beautiful day, but for those who are used to the races as a social event rather than a horse race some things were absent. There was no "glamour crowd." There were no tents or lush tailgate spreads. There was no champagne. It was a very simple affair and I can't say I missed any of it at all.

"The Foxhall race is really more of a training ground," explained retired lawyer and former steeplechase jockey Turney McKnight, in a 2009 Washington Post article.

2011 Foxhall Farm Trophy Chase

Many of these same horses will compete in Maryland's triple crown of Steeplechase, My Lady's Manor, Grand National and Maryland Hunt Cup, as well as further afield like Carolina Cup and Virginia Gold Cup. "The jockeys want to practice but not overexercise the steeds," McKnight further explained.

The Green Spring Hunt were wonderful hosts after the race. Might not be a race that gets much attention, but it will definitely remain on my calendar for years to come.

Howard County-Iron Bridge used to be next up in the order of races, but some late season snow falls, they moved to the other side of the Hunt Cup and have remained there this year, so these is usually a week off between Foxhall Farm and the rest of the Maryland season.

Next up is the Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point. I've been to the course before, so I know what to expect from the race course. I've arrived with a gifted Horseman's Pass which had me down by the trailers a distance from the actual finish line, and more recently with a Patrons Pass, which places you atop a hill above the finish line and encircled by the newly realigned course. Because of the topography, you can't quite see the finish from the Patron parking, but it's not a bad little walk downhill to the finish line, though not the sort of walk you'd want with too many picnic items and quite a hike back to the car uphill.

Outriders at the 2012 Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point

This race, like those at Cheshire a week earlier, are chances for the horses to prepare themselves for the big three races, which are held the last three Saturdays in April. Every other race lines up on those three.

Green Spring is held at Shawan Downs, a large tract of land which was saved from development by the many members of the horse community and has been developed as an equestrian park, hosting a variety of events on its grounds. With a variety of parking options and tailgating options, this race has a large hillside from which you can watch see the horses run.

Like Foxhall Farm, this is an early race in the season, so the weather can be cold, windy and wet. But if you love Steeplechase, I can't think of any place I'd rather be that day.

2011 Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point

Dark Chocolate Deliciousness...

I must admit, I wasn't quite sure what I'd discover when I first heard of Bourbon Creams. Living in America, the word bourbon brings to mind that native spirit distilled using at least 50% corn and historically coming from Virginia and Kentucky.

So, curious to see exactly what this British biscuit is, I sought out a packet. I quickly discovered that these Bourbon Creams have nothing to do with American Bourbon, and that's a good thing!

Crawford's are one of those companies which has a very loyal following, but for which there is very little information available. If you go to the website for United Biscuits, the company which bought William Crawford & Sons in 1960, there is no information whatsoever about Crawford's biscuits. When I wrote to United Biscuits asking for information regarding this biscuit, I was told simply that they were in production at the time United Biscuits acquired Crawfords and is a small brand which is manufactured and sold in the United Kingdom only.

What we do know is that William Crawford & Sons was founded in 1813 at Leith. 

So what is a Bourbon Cream? Well, it's a dark chocolate treat! A Bourbon Cream is chocolate fondant sandwiched between two thin oblong biscuits with granular sugar sprinkled on top. Like the Custard Cream, it is neither overly sweet nor is it too fancy. It truly is a perfectly blended dark chocolate biscuit.


And it's yummy enough to feel like you are treating yourself, but not so fancy that you feel bad for having two or three at a sitting.

Now I mentioned earlier that United Biscuits informed me that Crawfords Bourbon Creams were only sold in the United Kingdom. While that might be the official story, if you spend a short bit of time on the internet, you will find quite a variety of sources to help you to enjoy this classic treat at home.

So when I have desire for some dark chocolate and I want something with a little crunch, I'm going to be relying heavily on these biscuits. I now make sure to have a packet or two in the cupboard...

Ginger Is Perfect with Breakfast...

For those who have been following my blog, you will have realized that I do love my ginger. And I mean the plant, not those lovely ladies with red hair, though I do have an acknowledged soft spot for Amy Adams. But enough of that nonsense...

After my recent adventure writing about Tiptree's Black Currant preserve, I decided to explore some other offerings in their range of preserves. The one which immediately struck my eye was their Ginger preserve.

With the first mouthful, I was immediately captivated and what I intended to be two pieces of toast with Ginger preserves turned into four pieces!

Tiptree Ginger Preserve on Toast

Tiptree was founded by Arthur Charles Wilkin in the village of Tiptree in the south eastern English countryside of Essex in 1885.

As new varieties were added the distinction between jams made with home grown fruit "conserve" and foreign produce "preserve" was made, but in America there is a preference to the term Preserve, which is found on Tiptree packaging exported here.

Tiptree's Ginger preserve was first offered in 1905 and is made from sugar and ginger, as well as pectin and  sodium citrate. The Ginger originally came from China, as this was supposed to be the best source of Ginger at that time.

Tiptree is committed to using the best fruit available, so they now source their Buderim Ginger from Yandina, Australia, on Queensland's beautiful Sunshine Coast.

And from the time you open the jar, you immediately notice the whole chucks of ginger in the preserve.

These preserves are an amazing combination of sweet mixed with spicy ginger, free of glucose, artificial coloring and preservatives. It is what Preserves were meant to be, and what they still are if you take some time to look.

And Ginger, in addition to being delicious, is also acknowledged to be effective in the treatment of nausea. 

My mouth is watering right now, and as soon as I am finished writing this, I'll be enjoying another piece of toast Tiptree's Ginger preserves, a new favorite I'm sorry it took me this long to discover.