Swallows and Amazons Party
On Saturday our garden was transformed into Wild Cat Island ! Swallows and Amazons, for those who did not read this book when they were little and are wondering what I am talking about, is a children's book written & set in the 1920's and is about a family of four children (the Walkers) who spend their summer holiday in the Lakes - they share their adventures with the Amazons (two girls called Nancy and Peggy Blackett). They are allowed to set up camp on the island on Coniston Water (Wild Cat Island) and have lots of wonderful adventures. We spent our summer holiday on the same lake and played at being Swallows and Amazons!
Our garden!
It would not be a proper Swallows and Amazons' adventure without iced buns.....I made these with my sweet dough recipe from The Great British Bake Off. Some were fruit buns and the others plain iced buns - the cherries were a big success!
We pitched a few tents....
oh, and launched a few boats.....all courtesy of granny and grandpa's props department (loft)!
And of course, baked and decorated ....
a very special 'bespoke' 6th birthday cake - for those who know the book and film, this was based on the cake the Swallows and Amazons enjoy on Captain Flint's houseboat at the end of their holidays. I was briefed by Thomas and he even drew me a plan of what it had to look like - he told me he should be there when I made it otherwise I might not do it properly!!?
The cake was a chocolate cake with a thick layer of chocolate buttercream between the two layers.
Everyone went home with their own camping mug filled with old fashioned sweets!
Happy Days!
How wonderful! I love all your ideas, especially the camping mugs. I will have to share this with the Arthur Ransome group on Facebook and members of the Arthur Ransome Society.
Posted by: Sophie Neville | 04/19/2016 at 07:23 PM
Thank you for your lovely message and I hope you are having fun planning for your baby's arrival in January. My little girl is a January baby and so perhaps you will be able to enjoy her birthday party when I post it on my blog around your due date! All the best and hope you keep enjoying the recipes. I will try to put on some pictures of Eleanor's christening cake and some christening biscuits for some more baby ideas!xx
Posted by: miranda | 10/29/2010 at 10:48 PM
ooh lovely party mug idea - hope you dont mind me stealing that one for future birthday parties; really enjoy reading your blog and loved watching GBBO, best wishes
Posted by: debs | 10/27/2010 at 03:02 PM
What a fab party. Love the mugs filled with sweets and great cake. Must try your lemon cakes this week.
Posted by: Sarah in Edinburgh | 10/13/2010 at 04:45 PM
Sadie - I've mad my share of pink Barbie cakes :-) You think they'd grow out of it, but for her 16th we had to create a tardis!! Thanks Miranda for sharing a very special day.
Posted by: Tracey Todhunter | 10/13/2010 at 08:00 AM
wow! Amazing cake! Any chance you could put up the recipe??
Posted by: saheeda | 10/13/2010 at 07:56 AM
This looks like an amazing party for a lucky Birthday boy. Your imagination is wonderful. I love the cake and would be delighted to leave a party with the mug filled with treats. I am expecting my first baby in January, I hope I can throw Birthday parties for my little one as well as you have.
Posted by: Anne | 10/12/2010 at 04:36 PM
What a fabulous party and of course a fabulous cake. I love your party theme and the take-homes. Great stuff. Also really pleased to see your lemon cupcake recipe on the blog - I'll be trying it out as soon as i can. Thank you!
Posted by: Michelle | 10/12/2010 at 09:27 AM
Wow. Is there anything you can't do? I loved watching you on GBBO. Thought you were great and I'm totally inspired to get stuck into my baking. In fact this morning I will be attempting your lemon cupcakes with the help of my two little ones!
Posted by: minimoo | 10/12/2010 at 07:51 AM
oh my word! What a superb party. Lucky boy :o) I got my copy of the Great British Book of Baking yesterday, and am ridiculously excited about it. I love to sit and read cookbooks of an evening. I *try* to make at least one recipe from each cookery book I own, but sometimes the choice is too much!
Thanks for sharing so many pics, love the book themed idea. Suspect I'll be hosting a very pink Barbie birthday party next year! :O) x
Posted by: sadie | 10/12/2010 at 07:37 AM