July is National Picnic Month! What's in your fantasy picnic basket?

Rosie_Scope

National Picnic Month

With the weather we've had recently, I can't imagine many of us are thinking about picnics. But it's nice to dream! As this month is National Picnic Month, it got me thinking about creating my ultimate fantasy picnic scenario. What I'd eat, where I'd go and who I'd want there. I still haven't fully decided what mine might involve, but I thought it would be fun to see what yours would be!

So I've got three questions for you:

• What's in your perfect picnic basket? Of course, dietary restrictions don't apply for our fantasy picnic, so cram that basket full of whatever you like!
• Where would you choose to have your picnic?
• And finally, who are you inviting? Someone alive or long since passed away, celebrities or family members, who's getting an invite?

Over to you!

66Mustang

Wherever you want @talis 😊

66Mustang

I always found a picnic a bit of a faff because I found my family always like to make a big effort with like loads of hampers and rugs and proper cutlery and stuff

If you imagine that Mrs. Bucket episode where Richard has to carry half the kitchen through the countryside you're not far off

Don't get me wrong it's all really lovely but I think my ideal picnic is like an impromptu thing where you have some random food in a rucksack and just find a nice spot and sit down without really thinking about it!! 😃

Steve_in_The_City

@Rosie_Scope Well I just love a picnic! In my ordinary everyday life I take a sandwich or a bag of cheesy things with a can of coke or a bottle of beer or a glass of wine to my local park and enjoy the sunshine!

On a good day I go and get a filled bagel from the bagel shop and take it to a very quiet part of the City where I love to watch the kiddies playing and the dogs running around.

When I was a kid growing up in a completely dysfunctional family Mum & Dad would take us on the most surreal picnics (think Ibsen) to places like Box Hill, Epson Downs and Richmond Park, where I loved feeding the Deer sandwiches. I don't think it is allowed anymore.

Anyway, to answer your questions in one or maybe two or 3+ paragraphs.

My favourite place for a picnic is in Florence. I would hang around on the market and ask a respectable looking woman, in my best broken Italian, if she could speak English. Frequently they could. I would target a woman because I thought they were better shoppers than men! I would ask them if they would buy me some bread, cheese and ham, plus a bottle of Chianti. I thought if I tried to buy this picnic fare myself I would be ripped-off by the market vendors, so let someone else do the buying and choosing for me. Yes, I am that lazy! So I would get all I needed for a picnic. My partner thought this very bad mannered of me and totally out of character, as I am quite shy - but my belly comes first!

Then it was a walk over the Ponte Vecchio to make our way to the Piazzale Michelangelo (the Mount of Michelangelo). This is one of the best things you can ever do in Florence. You take a pack of cigs with you and you speak to young artists from all over the world who are painting the quintessential view of Florence along the banks of The Arno. All the kids smoke so giving them a cigarette (I wouldn't do it now) is a great ice breaker. Then you walk to the top of the Mount of Michelangelo and have your picnic and buy an ice cream. Then you persuade a coach driver to take you back into Florence as you really don't want to walk back after your picnic and Chianti!

I have attached 2 photos. One is from the top of The Piazzale Michelangelo. The other is from a picnic on a park in Palma.

firence.jpg

palma.jpg

Steve_in_The_City

As for whom I would invite on a picnic, it's easy! Our Lord Jesus Christ, Satan (what a good discussion between them). Streisand, Minnelli and Bassey.

Rosie_Scope

We are just making up a fantasy picnic @talis, pretending we're planning something. So your fantasy picnic could be anywhere you like, even on the moon 😁

@66Mustang Sounds like your family are elaborate picnickers! I do think picnics can be a faff sometimes, I like your idea of popping a few things in a bag and finding somewhere nice to chill out.

Your picnic in Florence sounds idyllic, @Steve_in_The_City thanks for sharing the pictures too! 😁 and some great guests, you'd definitely have some interesting conversations with that lot!

Rachel_Scope

Ooh let's think…probably cheese sandwiches with tiger bread, crisps, homemade Victoria sponge cake, and lots of chocolate treats!

I think a picnic on the moon would be amazing @Rosie_Scope! As long as we had spacesuits 😂

hardtobepositive

A baguette, selection of cheese, olives in lemon and herbs, vine tomatoes and salt, and some artichoke. And something sparkling.. Location would be by the river. With the love of my life (who I've not met yet)

vikingqueen

Bread and honey, in the woods with the teddy bears…😉

Steve_in_The_City

@Biblioklept I am not too well travelled. It just appears that way. I've been around the block a few times here and there and I think that is the best way to put it!

I think your dream of travelling the world picnicking is fabulous! It has given me some happy thoughts! So thanks.

And by the way, sitting and chatting quietly with people you know is just about perfect. Given the choice between sitting and having a chat with my old friend Hazel or having a yap with Queen Camilla (who I don't know and will never meet) , Hazel comes first every time!