Airbnb in Benenden.

Hiya everyone. 

How’s your weekend gone?

Another busy one for me, so sorry for the late posting. 🌸

I’ve had a wonderful weekend away for a friend’s 60th and I found myself quite literally in the middle of nowhere!

Eight of us descended on a fabulous Airbnb in Benenden to celebrate the special birthday and we all had an amazing time. Our friend didn’t know we’d all be there so it was a big surprise for her to find us all waiting. 

We’d planned to stay in the accommodation most of the time only venturing out to visit a local Vineyard in the Kent countryside. A super market delivery had been arranged, so all the goodies were delivered just after we arrived.  One of our friends had made Friday’s evening meal which was delicious. It’s called Pastitsio which is a Greek dish comprising pasta, ground beef and béchamel sauce. She served it with a Greek salad and a cold glass of fizz. A traditional birthday cake followed and after nibbling on crisps, dips and olives earlier in the afternoon I was completely stuffed!

After a mixed bag sleeping wise (different bed, hot room, sharing with a friend and eating/drinking too much) I woke with a fuzzy head. We’d decided on a full cooked breakfast which we all helped prepare and cook & we enjoyed bacon, egg, sausage, tomato, mushroom, toast with fruit juice, tea or coffee. All the girls just mucked in and nothing was too much trouble - it was a pleasure being with them all!

Four of us decided to go for a walk and went off up the narrow (it was uphill all the way) lane for 45 min of exploring.  We only found a couple of cottages, a post box and an orchard which we strolled around before returning back to the barn! I was elated it was downhill. 😂

Once we were back from our venture we got ready for our visit to Gusbourne Vineyard which was about a 20 minute drive away. I’m so glad I went for the walk because as soon as we got there we sat down to the picnic and glass of fizz!

Included in the package was charcuterie, Kent cheese, coleslaw, chutney, focaccia, biscuits, tomatoes and bulgur wheat salad followed by grapes, strawberries and chocolate brownie. But the best bit was the nectar that is Kent fizz. It’s really starting to be recognised for an outstanding glass of sparkling wine and tasted very smooth and went down a treat. 

They also offer a vegetarian option too. Prices for the tours start from £30 per person. 

We then had a walk around the vineyard taking full advantage of special places to take photos! It’s still very much in the early stages of winemaking and is very much a learning curve for the staff, but I have to say I’m impressed with not only the equipment and enthusiasm but the fizz itself was divine!

Returning home to scones, cream and jam and yet more Prosecco. It was good weather and still nice and warm albeit cloudy so we sat in the garden next to the large pond that offered wild swimming. I knew I just had to take the plunge and have a swim in it and I’m so glad I did.  It was cold upon getting in but once I’d got acclimatised to the temperature it was thrilling and I literally felt amazing! It has a special pump that you have to turn off when you go in, which filtrates the water perfectly making it the best possible conditions to swim in! I’d urge you to have a go at wild swimming if you get the opportunity my friends. 

Yet more food followed in the evening by way of a smorgasbord of picky offerings that I managed to fit in!

Baked Camembert, cold cuts of meat, coleslaw, pate and biscuits followed by strawberries, dipping chocolate with the piece de resistance being toasted marshmallows in the fire pit. I managed to get this stunning shot of the moon and although it doesn’t look like it, it was very dark there. We decided to go indoors when we saw lightning flicking in the distance which turned out to be an electrical storm. 

A light continental breakfast on Sunday morning for the departure at 11am, the owner had left a list of things to do before we left, just standard things like emptying the bins, taking the bed sheets off, shutting windows and emptying the fridge. She’d got another party going in at 3pm so it was a busy changeover for her and we were happy to have completed the chores set out!

Do ask me if you need any more details about this party accommodation and if you’re interested in booking anything with Airbnb just follow the link above, it’s an easy to use site. 

Great to have you here, so pleased you could join me. Don’t forget to pop back on Thursday for the linkup. 

Until then, cheerio. X