My Aga


Everyday, just after eight o'clock in the morning, I join the band of manic drivers on the roads of France and take my life into my hands in order to reach a destination in the shortest time possible. It's the same bunch of people trying to kill themselves and others as they weave their way towards Limoux. Just after midday the procedure is repeated and just before 1.30 as we all strive to return to wherever it is we have to be. Woe betide any person foolish enough to keep to the speed limit, God forbid that anyone would want to remain within the law. Taking a left turn on a long narrow straight road in France with a possessed person behind you takes courage. You wouldn't think it was in the highway code to attempt to overtake the person at this point before they turn but I swear I'm beginning to think it may be.

Having found myself alive so far this week my destination is my beautiful home, more precisely my drop dead gorgeous kitchen. This week it is the hub of all activity, the heart of the home, the laundry room, the playroom, the focus of all our lives. And the reason why we are all drawn like moths to a flame ? the Aga of course.

Whilst we are in between guests His Lordship has positioned my computer in a cosy corner with just enough of a view of the changing colours of the vines to keep me amused. One block is a deep rich mellow yellow whilst further along are violent slashes of blood red diminishing daily.

Today at lunchtime the sun poured through the south facing double low windows whilst the pansies swayed happily in their terracotta window boxes faces turned towards the heat.

From the Aga came two baked potatoes accompanied by Boudin Noir and slices of gala apples fried gently in butter bringing out the decorative colours of their vermillion skins. Afterwards world class meringues appeared, slightly gooey in the centre and requiring just enough cream to perfect the dessert. Rodders clotted cream from Di's Pantry in Rock or Mr Moo's ice cream from Skipsea, East Yorkshire would have been gilding the lily a mouthful too far.

So people sometimes ask me if I miss my kitchen, I make a point of not replying, instead I merely smile.

Comments

lampworkbeader said…
I have a sister who is an Aga addict. Everytime she moves house she has another Aga in yet another colour. She swears they are the best stoves to cook on ever! Me, I just swear at my stove. It's cheaper.
Loved the blog. Where you live is delightful. I even showed the keen mountain biker in a hopeful sort of way but no luck as yet.
mountainear said…
What a fantastic kitchen!

We have an Aga too - it's the point everyone drifts too, and there's always a dog glued to it at floor level.
Elizabethd said…
Lovely! I dont have an Aga now, but do have a range cooker, which I can pretend is an Aga! Sally, what is that plant?
Un Peu Loufoque said…
My Sally your kitchen is really stunning but I feel what it needs to complete it is a fine tile panel in blues and whites depicting perhaps the grape harvest outside your window dear! What do you think!!!!
Cowgirl said…
Right that's it! Am starting a "Visit Sally" fund immediately!!!!! ADORE your kitchen - it is my perfect kitchen, and think that you would be glad to see summer sink gracefully over the horizon just to sit cosy by that divine Aga! Sigh.... want your apples in butter tooooooo..... xx
toady said…
Just lurve that kitchen!
Toady
Sally's Chateau said…
Elizabethd, the plant is a fine jasmin.

UPL, you are so right, one of your beautiful individual tile panals would look stunning behind the Aga. Hurry up with that website !!
Fennie said…
Ah yes. Always wanted an Aga. But never quite managed to find the dosh and kidded myself I could never survive without at least one gas ring. But I love that kitchen.
muddyboots said…
it's east yorkshire not north humbersid; lovely 4 door aga there! Just the place for those who have always wanted an aga can go and have a practice with a big one!!
Suffolkmum said…
Hey Sally, we have the same kitchen tablecloth! I'm an Aga fan too, couldn't be without it now. Gorgeous kitchen, I hardly need to add.
Sally's Chateau said…
Muddyboots, I'm sorry !! that's Mr Moo's ice cream everyone from EAST YORKSHIRE.
....and Edith Piaf in the background perhaps?

Lovely blog Sally
Mary said…
Love your kitchen am very jealous!! I would love an AGA perhaps one day
CAMILLA said…
Wow, Sally, that is one GORGEOUS Kitchen. A lovely blog Sally, and that view from your window sounds heaven.

Camilla.x
K M F said…
Fantastic Kitchen i like it
Anonymous said…
Hi,
I've had a look around your site and would be interested in exchanging links with you. If this is of interest, please do get in contact.
Best Wishes,
Richard
http://richards-realm.the-world-in-focus.com
e-mail: heston1971@yahoo.com
Grouse said…
Ours is an 'Alpha' ....royal blue, very much the heart of the house...wonderful to come in from the cold and feel the warmth, even better if there is something delicious wafting it's aroma around th kitchen. Talking of which........what a perfect place to come for Aga cooking lessons: Le Chateau!
Sally's Chateau said…
What a wonderful idea Grouse, Aga cookery courses at Le Chateau !!
Anonymous said…
Lovely Kitchen, Fabulous Aga, absolutely GORGEOUS! kettle.
Big Bunny said…
Mrs Beeton did NOT write a cookery book. It is a guide to household management meant for those who had to do without servants, with some recipes famously included of course. It's a must for a chatelaine like yourself as is 'enquire within' to get those rust spots out of the linen, and wine stains off the table cloth. "Boil the affected part in milk..........."
mrsnesbitt said…
Ahhh the same colour as mine. Is yours pre 1956? Would guess so by the lids.
Dx
Sally's Chateau said…
Mrs N, Aga imported from England, circa 2003, lids extra, much better than stainless steal, they don't scratch as easily !!!
peter said…
I must say that I find it refreshing that there are still wives who understand their role and are happy to remain in the kitchen.

Peter
Running for cover
Anonymous said…
http://www.thisismyaga.co.uk

Read other people's Aga stories and also post your own!

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