Friday 14 September 2012

'Come Dine With Me' in Salisbury...


All the gang in my front room on the last night!

The day, or rather the week, of reckoning is here!
After months of waiting, our Salisbury 'Come Dine With Me' is due to be shown during the week starting September 24th. It is such a strange feeling seeing my name in the Channel 4 TV listings.


Actually, I didn't cook this- I'm not allowed to show you yet!

Last weekend we had a lively gathering of my fellow Diners. We have stayed friends and are all sharing feelings of excitement tinged with apprehension about finally seeing the show.
It was a long and exhausting week of filming and we really have no idea how many of our more outrageous antics were captured on camera... and which of them have been selected to appear on the show!
At the moment I feel very pleased that I took part in such an unexpected adventure.
I can still remember desperately cleaning, de-cluttering and tidying my house and the pleasure I felt when it all looked exactly as I wanted


I remember the trepidation about the weather. My garden was looking at it's best and I wanted a sunny evening so everybody could have drinks outside.



But above all, I remember the laughter and the sheer fun of working with the humorous and incredibly professional television crews.



 I'm also incredibly lucky to have met and made some lovely new friends.
And as to the chaos and the mess created



I tidied it up in the end!

So roll on 24th of September. Look out for pig racing, moustaches, music, jiggly bosoms and some really amazing meals...
If my blog suddenly goes silent, you will guess that it was all too embarrassing, and I have left the country!

ps. I've just added two new photographs- the gang and the crew, which were taken by Natasha

58 comments:

  1. Hello Jane:
    Although we do not have a television, we are so very excited for you. What fun!

    We are reliably informed that there is a similar programme in Hungary.

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  2. Dear Jane and Lance- Actually I do admit to a slight feeling of relief when anybody says they're not able to watch the show....It was fun though! Jane xx

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  3. You'll be pleased to know that I don't have a TV either. However one of the young men I care for is hopelessly devoted to the show so I catch a glimpse of it from time to time. Enjoy!

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    1. It's rather embarrassing but I've never watched a whole episode of the show yet! So it'll be a first for me on the 24th! Jane xx

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  4. Well, as the first one along with a tv, I shall have to make a note to watch it! What a pretty garden you have.

    Many years ago (in another life it seems) I lived in Coombe Bissett, and worked with horses in Britford, and part-time in Salisbury.

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    1. It's a small world isn't it? I lived in Bishopstone when I first moved to Wiltshire- I love the Chalke Valley. Thank you for your kind comment about my garden-I'm afraid it has a very short time span of looking really pretty! Jane xx

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  5. Dear Jane
    Congratulations and I am sure it will be a huge success. The team sounded like a fun and professional group. How exciting.

    Looking forward to seeing the recipes

    Greetings from Youghal,Ireland on this sunny morning as we sip coffee overlooking the ocean

    Helen xx

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    1. Hello Helen- I'm surprised how excited I feel! I'm dying to share it all with everyone. How lovely to be in Ireland and by the sea- have a happy weekend, Jane xx

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  6. We obviously don't get Channel 4 here, but maybe we'll get to see reruns on Public Television in a few years. Meanwhile, please overnight that dish in the top photo to me.

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    1. They do seem to repeat episodes over and over again, so maybe you will get a surprise one day! The meal in the photograph was absolutely delicious and cooked for us by my friend on a recent holiday... Jane xx

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  7. It's good to hear of 'Come Dine With Me' contestants who seemed to have got along so well together. The fact that you've all met up again since the competition is a very encouraging sign!
    I have just found your blog today and I love, love, love it! I also can see that you are a lover of the colour yellow in your home. When I first married my husband four years ago, I had to persuade him that yellow is an excellent choice for decorating - now he loves it so much you would think it was his idea to use it. Unfortunately, for health reasons, we have to live in a modern, bland bungalow, but I'm slowly trying to inject more character into our home. It would be lovely to see more of your decorating ideas.
    Looking forward to seeing your T.V. debut! :)
    Kay

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    1. Hello Kay- How lovely to receive such kind comment from a new reader- I hope you will remain so after seeing the madness and mayhem of CDWM!
      I do agree about yellow, it works so well to lighten a room. I've been planning a slightly more 'house' post, so I'm sure you will see more in the future. Jane xx

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  8. Hi Jane! Do you know what time it's going to be brodcast? I don't want to miss it! It's going to be sooooooo good! I bet you wore some lovely vintage outfits! Can't wait to see you, Jane!

    I will make a note on my calendar, but I'll have to find it first!

    HUGS

    ANNA

    xxxx

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    1. Hi Anna,
      The daily program is on at 5.30 pm and at sometime in the future there will be an hour long one with all the week's meals and happenings in one program.
      I'm not sure how I'll look, we got sooo tired and actually had very little time to prepare for each night's outing... I'll tell all later!
      Jane xxx

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  9. Jane, ooh how very exciting, I just cannot wait! So glad it was a good experience for you. I love the programme but my husband can't stand it and as he controls the remote, I never get to see it. However, he can't stop me watching this one!! Don't be nervous, I am sure it will be great fun. Love Linda x

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    1. Thanks Linda- do make sure you snaffle to remote control- I just hope it's not too cringe-worthy! Jane xx

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  10. Oh, how I wish I could see that here in the US. It would be such fun. Enjoy the experience - I know it will be great. Diane

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    1. Thank you for your kind confidence Diane- I'm determined to make the most of my little time of fame!! jane xx

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  11. I've made a note on the calendar!! M x

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    1. I can't believe it's finally happening. It's the Friday one with me cooking that makes me most nervous! Jane xx

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  12. Oh it sounds like such great fun! I only wish I could be among the viewers. Let us know!

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    1. Hi Bonnie- I will try to 'capture' a few live shots when they send me the DVD- Jane xx

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  13. How fun! There's a similar program in Canada, I've watched it a few times. I wonder if the episode can be viewed online or on Youtube after it has aired?

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  14. I'm hoping to capture a few of the best moments (and one in particular, which I can't speak of just yet) and put them on U Tube- We'll see if it's possible! Jane xx

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  15. Oh, Jayne, wish I could see! Would love it if you can get some on YouTube. Thank you for your sweet comments about my photo, Dear! That's Daddy, Taffy and me ~ :)
    Hugs,
    Anne

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    1. Hello Anne- I did love that photograph! We hope to put one little bit on YouTube ( I'll say more later...) and I will try to put some more photographs up too! Today is the first day of the week's showing- I am a little nervous! love Jane xx

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  16. Just watched the first part. Lovely, smiley and tactful my dear. Not sure about the others yet! Karen x

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  17. Hi Jane, watched you last night. You were lovely. It was most entertaining, and that Chris is a one! Looking forward to tonight's episode. Love Linda x

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  18. Thank you Karen and Linda- We were all on our best behaviour that first night, I have an awful feeling it's now downhill all the way...! Jane xx

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  19. Can't wait to 'visit' your home on the final episode Jane! :)
    Caught half the programme this evening whilst I 'cooked' our evening meal...I won't be applying to be on the show! ;-))
    Hope all gets edited how you would wish,
    Niki x

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    1. Thanks Niki- It was fun seeing my house on tv- not sure about seeing myself though.... xx

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  20. Hello Jane, I've just caught up with the first two episodes of CDWM and both my husband and I thought that you were the kindest, friendliest one of a very nice bunch! Like Niki, I'm looking forward to visiting your home on Friday. From what I've seen on this blog, your home looks and seems to be just as warm and friendly as you are.
    Kay

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  21. Hi Kay, how lovely to hear from you! Your kind comment is just what I needed, as I was foolish and wore a rather outrageous outfit for Wednesday and have had some unkind comments. Hey Ho! Jane xx

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  22. You looked amazing on tonights episode - lovely Alan Bates lookalike Anthony was impressed too. Youngest son and I get the giggles everytime Chris opens his mouth can't wait to see what he cooks tomorrow. Karen xx

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    1. Thank you Karen- on the whole I have enjoyed watching it! Jane xx

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  23. jane,have no fear whatsoever, as although everyone in the group comes across as being really nice ,genuine and entertaining etc, there is most definitely a rose blooming within !! cant believe that youve had some unkind comments regarding your attire for the wednesday night episode, as you looked AMAZING you really did ..classy,elegant and so very glamorous ..Just stumbled upon your blog and really loving it ....cant wait for fridays episode ..keep up the good work jane youre a star x.best wishes steve x

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  24. I was so worried I might have missed you as I've been out of the country for a fortnight but when I visited your blog this morning I saw that it is this week! I was so excited I have just watched the first 3 programmes on catch up tv and can't wait for your meal on Friday. I must say they are all a really nice bunch of people and I would happily spend a week eating with them. Some groups often have one 'fly in the ointment' but you seem to have been really lucky. And, you looked amazing in your Wednesday's vintage frock - what a figure!
    Ruth xx

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  25. I don't think my husband and I have ever laughed at an episode of CDWM as much we did this evening. We both thought that you were very tactful, Jane.
    Kay

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  26. Thanks everybody for your lovely support- well tonight (Friday) is the scary one for me to watch....! Jane xx

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  27. Well, we've just watched 'your' episode of CDWM and really enjoyed it. It was great to see everyone having such fun and getting on so well, although I must say I think that at times you might have needed to have bitten your tongue! :)
    Well done to Natasha for coming first, but my husband and I decided that we would probably have enjoyed your hosting more. All in all, a ovely, feel-good programme (which is so rare on T.V. nowadays).
    Kay

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  28. (Ooops! Ovely? Should read lovely, of course!
    Oh and just in case one of my sentences comes over inadequately,(about biting your tongue) what I meant was that I felt that your patience was probably tried a little at times and that you were very tactful in holding back. (Didn't want any horrible misunderstandings!)
    Kay

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  29. great edition of tonights show jane ....you had absolutely nothing to fear whatsoever ..you came across perfectly and were the PERFECT HOST ...Well done you x

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  30. Hello Jane, you have nothing to worry about. It was all so very entertaining and a great mix of personalities. Your home looked lovely and your pretty garden too, I also liked the fairies. You can relax now! You came across as a lovely caring, kind and sweet person, who is also a little saucy....nothing wrong with that! Have a lovely weekend, love Linda x

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  31. Congratulations on second place Jane! - And such a lovely bonus that you became a group of friends by the end of the week...very refreshing for CDWM!

    Have a relaxing weekend :)
    Niki x

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  32. I can honestly say, hand on heart, that this week has been the best CDWM I have ever seen (and I do watch quite a few!) I take my hat off to you for first of all volunteering, especially as you don't know who you will be dining with, and for contributing to such an entertaining week of programmes. Your home and garden are lovely (I particuarly like the enamel in the wall cupboard beside you when you are cooking.)
    Ruth x

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  33. Well done for being 2nd. Have to say though that your home and your food looked the most inviting. It was lovely to have a peep inside your abode and I am glad I am not the only one with writing on her walls. Hope you enjoyed the whole experience and looking forward to reading about what you get up to next! Karen xx

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  34. We'd never watched it before but by the end of the week we were thoroughly hooked, largely down to you, and now I'm feeling quite bereft... Brava and hooray to you!

    Indeed it made me want nothing so much as to have a chat with you, and ask you lots of questions, so I'll try to e-mail as that's the next best thing!

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  35. The Jane FAN-CLUB is now officially up and running !! ..i reckon channel 4 should give you your OWN show x

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  36. Great Entertainment! My Wife and I have never laughed so much in our lives.
    You were great, by the end of the week we felt like you were an old friend (in the nicest meaning of old in that context of course!)

    We'll miss you on our screens.

    x

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  37. Firstly apologies for a 'group reply' !
    Secondly- thank you all for your lovely, kind and supportive comments. It has made all the difference at a nervous time!
    I loved doing the week on CDWM and my only real regret is that they didn't show any of my entertainment, which was my daughter Emily singing. Everybody thought she was amazing (and she was!) but they just ran out of time...
    Right, now back to normal, everyday life
    xxx

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  38. Hello Jane
    Best EVER CDWM I have ever seen! You are all such lovely people and it was so nice to see every one getting along (for a change) and Chris is a legend.... he did make me laugh!!

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    1. Hello Trudy, How lovely of you to say that about our episode of CDWM! We had such fun and they were all such amazing people! Jane xx

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  39. Hi, Jayne! Hope everything went beautifully (I'm sure it did!) I'll send you some pink and white Cypress Vine seeds this week, I promise!
    Hugs,
    Anne

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  40. Hello Anne- OOh, what a lovely thought- pink and white cyprus vine flowers! Here all is horrid... I have a vile cold and it is absolutely pouring with rain and all the leaves are dropping and not turning gold and red.Your message has cheered me up! Jane xx

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  41. Just saw it tonight, I agree it was the best one I had seen, what a lovely bunch of people, you are so lucky they seemed absolute scream.
    The meal with Chris had us rolling about.
    Such a positive feel to the whole week,
    We loved the knobs on your kitchen, as we just done ours, but not as nice.
    Your food looked great, but the pound of butter seemed crazy!. The fresh wild herbs were a nice touch. Thanks for cheering us up this winter night, much love.. Alan

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    1. Hello Alan, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It was the most brilliant week and I'm still friends with all the gang.
      As to the butter, I know, I know, I panicked! You have to do everything twice for the filming and mace is SO strong. I actually didn't add all the butter, too much but not a pound! Of course it's part of the fun to make you look more ditzy then you are...
      Jane xx

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  42. hello jane,

    i only saw the come dine with me salisbury as a repeat sunday august 31st 2014. you came across as very classy, highly intelligent/intellectual and very sexy.

    regards

    adrian.

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