Living in London is exciting but every so often, I have an immense urge to leave it’s urban dwellings and head out to more peaceful pastures and for some fresh country air. When my friend suggested a day trip to a Pick Your Own farm on the outskirts of the London metropolis, she didn’t have to ask me twice.

A 30 minute train ride out of Waterloo station and we were in Esher, a tranquil, picturesque village in Surrey. Garsons Farm is then a short journey from here. I’m always surpirsed at how very little time is required to travel out of London, to feel like you are in the countryside.

I don’t make homemade pasta all that often but I love Italian food. I have a cook book by the talented and charismatic Antonio Carluccio, which I enjoy perusing from time to time. Today, I was inspired to make a simple pasta dish. Handmade pasta isn't hard to make but it does require time, patience and arm strength, especially when I don’t own a pasta machine! I will admit that I didn’t roll this batch as thinly as I should have. By adding wholemeal flour, it adds a grainy flavour & texture to the pasta, which I really enjoy.