Start of the picnic season: Winter picnic at Harkotten Manor a complete success
MÜNSTERLAND/SASSENBERG. The Harkotten Manor House and Münsterland e.V. showed how to picnic in style even in winter yesterday with punch, a fireplace and picnic baskets. 60 guests came in wind and weather and enjoyed Münsterland specialities in the historic heraldic hall of the manor house.
That green lawns and high temperatures are not always necessary for a picnic was shown yesterday evening at the winter picnic at Harkotten Manor. 60 picnickers had dared the experiment and let themselves be enchanted by torchlight walks, winter punch and indoor picnics in the historic heraldic hall. The invitation was extended by Harkotten Manor House together with Münsterland e.V.
"Münsterland is a picnic country. Nowhere else are there so many perfect picnic spots for taking time out on a blanket, in summer as well as winter," emphasised Melanie Schlüters from Münsterland e.V. "A picnic is sociable, close to nature and down-to-earth, just like the people in Münsterland. What's more, we have many delicious regional dishes that are perfect for a picnic."
The guests were also able to experience this: After a guided tour through the (master's) own forest, young and old were served steaming "Münsterländer Winterpunsch" from the Münsterland seal, which identifies regional products from the Münsterland region, to warm up and get in the mood.
With a good appetite, the guests then went to the historic Wappensaal, where the culinary highlight was waiting: lovingly prepared, small picnic boxes with regional specialities, packed by Münsterland food bloggers. Contents: Münsterland specialities, newly interpreted. They included, for example, Jovel salad in a glass with nibbles, courgette and ham pancakes or Westphalian jelly with pumpernickel crisp.
The guests enthusiastically settled down on bales of straw and enjoyed the contents of their picnic boxes in a cosy, historical fireside atmosphere.
"We really enjoy picnicking in the summer, so we were particularly curious about the winter version. And I have to say: it goes really well," said a visitor who took part in the winter picnic with her husband.
For those who were unable to register for the fully booked event, host Baron Ferdinand von Korff of Harkotten Manor gave hope: "We are thrilled by the positive feedback from the guests and would like to continue the picnic theme in the future. Because it fits perfectly with our house and with Münsterland as a region of castles and palaces." The event was free of charge for the guests. Those who wanted to could make a donation at the exit for the Friends of the Manor House.
The winter picnic heralds the start of the picnic season in Münsterland and is a first harbinger of the Münsterland Picnic Days from 18 to 21 June 2020, which will be held under the motto "MÜNSTERLAND. THE GOOD LIFE." and lead into the Castles and Palaces Day on 21 June, when numerous houses - such as Harkotten Manor - open their doors.
In future, Münsterland e.V. would like to encourage players throughout the Münsterland to make picnics palatable to locals and guests. Melanie Schlüters: "Because I am sure: many Münsterlanders have already packed their baskets and are just waiting for a good opportunity."
All the recipes invite you to try them out, whet your appetite for picnics and will be available in the coming weeks at www.picknick-muensterland.com.
