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The Perfect Picnic
Despite the unpredictable weather, Britain has always been a nation of picnic lovers, and here at Littlewoods Bingo we are no different.
So for all you budding online bingo players wanting to get a taste of the Great British Countryside, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you enjoy the perfect picnic (though we can’t do anything about the weather, sorry!).

The Venue
The first thing to consider is where you want to go for your picnic. If you live near the coast, a beach picnic would be ideal. The countryside is the traditional setting for the Great British Picnic, and luckily for most of us, it’s never usually too far away. Even if you don’t have miles of green fields on your doorstep, there’s bound to be a park or public green area near to you. Many National Parks have areas where you can picnic, so why not check out what’s near you. You could also visit the local Botanical Gardens if you have one, where you can enjoy beautiful plants and wildlife at the same time as you get stuck into some tasty grub. All of which leads us nicely to.....

The Food
The secret to preparing food for prefect picnic is ‘Keep It Simple’. However fancy your food looked before you packed, by the time you get to your chosen venue, you can guarantee it won’t look quite so sophisticated – and will probably end up in the bottom of your bag! For this reason it is best to avoid adding sauces or anything runny until you arrive, so why not pack the salad dressing, ketchup or other condiments separately and slap them all on later.
As well as making your own food for the family to enjoy, why not save yourself some time and take advantage of the huge range of ready-made products available – they are perfect for a stress free picnic.

  • Cooked Meats -The kids are sure to love mini sausage rolls, pork pies and Scotch Eggs, but there’s also a great range of ‘exotic’ meats such as salami and chorizo available in most supermarkets. You could even buy a whole roast chicken, tear strips off and add lime and coriander for the perfect zesty summer sandwich.
  • Salads – Salad doesn’t have to be all about lettuce and cucumber. Why not add a bit of colour to your salad by popping in some cherry tomatoes, olives or even a fiery chilli if you are feeling adventurous!
  • Cheese – Whether you like a stinky Stilton, or prefer to play it safe with a nice Cheddar or Red Leicester, cheese with bread or crackers is a one of the picnic essentials. At Littlewoods Bingo, we love a good cheese, and our top tip is to jazz up your cheddar with some Cranberry Jelly. You’ll find it in most supermarkets and we’re sure you’ll love the fruity taste it adds.
  • Sandwiches – It doesn’t have to be plain old cheese and ham sandwiches. Why not get creative? A simple change that will make a big taste difference is to use a different type of bread. Try grating your cheese, adding ham, lettuce and sour cream, then rolling it all up in a tasty wrap or flat bread. Pitta breads are also handy as you can create a ‘pocket’ and fill it with anything you want.
  • Drinks and Desserts – For a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks (which may go flat on your way to the picnic anyway), why not opt for a nice fruit juice or make your own smoothies. It’s also a good idea to pack a bottle of water if it will fit, especially if (fingers crossed) it’s a sunny day. For dessert, it’s best to avoid delicate little treats and go for something that won’t get crushed or sat on. Why not bake some chocolate brownies or a sturdy cake, so you can finish off your perfect day with something sweet.

The Equipment
The great thing about a picnic is that you don’t really need anything other than a bag for your food, and possibly a rug if you aren’t sure whether there are any picnic benches. It’s also important to follow some simple steps when preparing your food, as the last thing you want is to feel ill on your fun day out. We’ve got some top tips for all our bingo friends:

  • Always wash your hands before preparing and eating food. This is where your bottle of water will come in handy, but if you don’t have access to clean water, take disposable travel wipes with you instead.
  • Make sure you thaw and properly cook any meats or fish to destroy harmful bacteria.
  • Follow the two-hour rule. You should always try and eat food within two hours after it has been taken out of the fridge. Don’t forget that in very hot weather this time is reduced to around one hour.
  • If in doubt, throw it out. Should you have any worries about the safety of food, don't eat it.

The People
Finally, and most important of all - a picnic is made by the people you share it with. Whether it’s family, friends or loved ones, everything else will fall into place if you venture out with those you know best.
Good luck with your perfect picnic adventures, and while you’re waiting for the sun to show its face, why not play for a great bingo jackpot right here at Littlewoods Bingo. Who knows, maybe you’ll be packing Champagne and Caviar if you strike it lucky.