Out & About #846 | Chudleigh's Entertainment Farm - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #846 | Chudleigh's Entertainment Farm

10/15/2022

Long awaited was this apple picking journey. My intent had been to visit the farm at my earliest opportunity, however that would have conflicted with road trip plans for the Thanksgiving long weekend.

Tickets were retailed exclusively online through Chudleigh's website. Adult admissions were priced at $16 each, then subject to HST. I purchased on behalf of myself and the sleepy polar bear for the 12:30 PM slot. An early lunch in Streetsville was proposed to precede this event.

Throughout the work week, I chanced across a promotional image for the Fall Market at Streetsville Village Square. Independent businesses, including an Indonesian food vendor, would be present early enough for sustenance to be obtained prior to departure.

I geared up in denim and plaid, distinctively autumn attire that happened to be atypically me. Bearing bare skin, shoes beyond sneakers, and a hoodless jacket contradicted my priorities of comfort and mobility. Yet, I persevered, for it would likely be the final opportunity to capture fall colours.

Conditions at the Square were ruthless: windy, chilly, and absolutely dreadful considering the inadequate layers I had donned. We strode about the venue for a brief moment, browsing the selection of retailers before retreating to the food stalls for early lunch.
At Indonesian's Flavour, we took to a four-piece Sate Ayam, Mie Goreng with Chicken, and Ronde. These were transferred to takeout containers and foil-lined packets to order.

The Chicken Skewers were cold by the time we made it back into the car. In fear of the condiment spilling, I merely took to the skewer in its undressed form. Despite its nicely charred edges, the fleshy blocks were rigid and, frankly, quite bland. Some of its edges constituted grounds for discard due to toughness.
Addicting was the Mie Goreng with its umami-filled soy-based seasoning. Shredded chicken rested atop the dish in a tangled cloud, providing protein though not necessarily contributing depth of flavour. After a few bites, I deemed the dish too greasy for my continued consumption. The noodle dish was best enjoyed in small quantities.

Ronde was, without hesitation, my pick of the trio. Delectable was its sweet ginger broth and fragrant was the peanut filling. While I must admit greater affection for the thinner casings of Chinese glutinous rice balls, the thicker shell of the Ronde prevented leakage of filling. Three mochi balls set us back a whopping eight dollars. I had intended to reserve the last piece for later enjoyment, only to have the sleepy polar bear inform me that it was disposed - by a third party no less! - in under twenty-four hours without consent. (Why can't people just ask?!)

With jitters growing progressively prominent, I proposed a hot beverage from Lemon Bar. The stall's assortment spanned hot lemonade, either mixed with sweetened condensed milk or, interestingly enough, hot chocolate. The acidic-milky pairing drew apprehension, yet sounded intriguing nonetheless.

Its menu board was devoid of descriptions, causing many patrons to inquire the constituents of each drink before proceeding with their order. Hot Chocolate Dreams was our choice: a hybrid of lemonade and hot chocolate that proved tastier than anticipated. Harmonious were the two contrasting profiles, delivering sweet warmth with a dose of zestiness. That said, neither of us were particularly keen on its sugariness, which could have been reduced by 25-30%.

Unable to resist the single-digit temperatures any longer, I direly requested to be taken home. Additional layers would be added to the ensemble, along with a scarf, beanie, gloves, and hand packs. The unexpected reversion delayed our arrival to 1:15 PM, in spite of low traffic volumes on the 401.

We arrived to a fairly busy gravel lot and voiced our tardiness concern to one of three ticket checkers at the admission gate. "Don't worry about it!" He responded cheerfully, "I'll scan you in for 1."
Black paper wristbands were distributed, then through the gates we entered.

The sleepy polar bear regarded the scene in awe, exclaiming the facilities to be "far better" than our early September choice of Applewood Farm.
"Of course!" I retorted. "This is an entertainment farm. Did you not check the website? And here you were saying that we wouldn't 'need three hours'.".

View the full album HERE !

After a few photos in the pumpkin patch, we drifted towards a white gazebo. Found within were bags for apple picking, along with directions on the preferred way to pick apples ("eye to the sky"), sustaining their growth for the following harvest. Small bags (green) were priced at $15, while Large(r), caramel-toned ones at $26. Just as with Applewood, Chudleigh's would not be weighing at checkout for payment. The green bags, as informed by the elderly lady behind the table, could hold 5-10 lbs, while the caramel ones 10-15 lbs. These numbers assumed a vast range, and, truthfully, didn't sound all that accurate.

A caramel bag was plucked from the pile before proceeding onwards. Instead of the Tractor Wagon Ride, we headed towards The Orchard.

Rows upon rows of apple shrubs filled the grounds. At its south limit were Northern Spy, proclaimed to be the no-brainer choice for pie apples. We turned onto the aisle with a pylon in front, the sole indicator for readiness. Most of the trees were barren until we reached the halfway point. The further west we travelled, the more apples were to be seen.

Northern Spy apples were substantial in size, causing the bag to fill up quicker than anticipated. We then threaded along the farm's west edge, behind the aisles, until locating a sign for Mini Kerr.

Plum-like in appearance, we were unable to find ripe ones for picking without venturing into the upper branches. The ones available for picking were of a vibrant ruby. Beyond thin, spotted skin was juicy, tart flesh. The Mini Kerrs were compact in size and rather dense, harnessing a spectacular amount of moisture within and making them ideal for lunchbox snacks rather than desserts.

We picked about five to six plump McIntosh apples, passed on the Russett (whose appearance was very similar to russet potatoes in their dotted tan skin), and took to a few Creston before navigating to aisles further north.

Another factor that prompted postponement of the venture was the late picking period of Mutsu and Fuji. The first was of greater interest to myself, and the latter the sleepy polar bear. Mutsu seemed taller, greener, and less aromatic than Ginger Gold, while Ontario Fuji was smaller and less saturated than the grocery store Washington varieties we had acquainted ourselves with over the years.

Bypassing the aisles of Red Delicious and Gala on the bases of commonness, we inched towards lofty deciduous trees tinted in varying shades of orange, red, and yellow. Upon closer inspection, we found wooden benches and swings, and even a trail in the woods! Walks accompanied by fall foliage are a popular activity for children, young families, and any nature-appreciate entity.

Unaccustomed to long distance treks in heeled footwear, my toes began to cramp uncomfortably by the time we surpassed 5000 steps. Thankfully, I was saved by the Tractor Wagon Ride, which seated up to thirty people on reinforced hay stacks and led us back to the entrance while providing a splendid view of autumn leafage against a remarkable blue sky.

We readied ourselves for checkout, planning to place our purchases in the car before returning to explore the playground area and edible offerings. Excess apples were deposited into a green bag, and a wagon was obtained to relieve our shoulders from their weight.
As we entered the gift shop, more items caught our attention - or rather, mine.

2L and 3L jugs of Sweet Apple Cider were appended to the cart. The farm's Rosé Cider and Orchard Cider were also added. Eventually, we took to empty carboard boxes (supplied by Chudleigh's) to sort the purchases, prevent bruising of the apples, and facilitate transfer.

As we were to continue roaming the grounds, yellow zip ties were provided to denote paid status of apples and cider. Pain persisted, but I was reluctant to risk being denied re-entry as we had overstayed our 3-hour limit.

In the Market were extensive lineups for savoury diner-style meals (ie. poutine) and baked goods with hot beverages. I joined the queue for the secound counter, designated for sweet treats. Hot Chocolate, Chudleigh's Hint of Honey Cider on tap, and two blossom pastries were retrieved after an approximate fifteen-minute wait. During this time, warmth had accumulated beneath my many layers. The sleepy polar bear, on the other hand, began to experience chilliness and eagerly stood by one of the heaters with our haul.

I wasn't particularly keen on the Hot Chocolate, though admitted it to be creamier and silkier than Timmies. The sleepy polar bear appreciated its warmth, while expressed irritation towards it scalding my tongue. My own Hint of Honey cider was sweet and invigorating, though boasted no floral essences and no discernible hints of honey.

The Crumble Crunch Apple Blossom and Apple Berry Blossom rang in at $3.50 each. Unlike other menu selections of Chocolate Lava Cake and Key Lime Pie, guests were ensured that the blossoms had been crafted made in-house. The Apple Blossom was scrumptious, with a balanced ratio of apple to crust and delicate sprinkle of oats at its peak. In the Berry Blossom, apple was overwhelmed by the presence of seedy raspberries. Its contents were softer (read: mushy) than the Apple Blossom, leading me to believe that frozen berries had been used. In the absence of a tart tang, I found the berry edition lacking; in stark contrast, the sleepy polar bear preferred it over the apple for this very quality.

Having previously been warned of the ice cold water for handwashing, I didn't realize the intrinsic extent of the washroom facilities until visiting personally. The stalls were situated outside, with only so much as a roof to protect users as they tended to their business. Insulation was nowhere to be found, and gusts of cold air would wrap around one's body throughout one's stay.

The stalls adopted the form of deep, narrow compartments separated by white, wooden planks. Within each stall was a platform on which the toilet rested. Toilet paper dispensers were installed on the stall walls, as with any other restroom. Door handles had been affixed using screws and weren't all that secure; I had, in fact, pulled off the handle of a stall before hurriedly shoving the screws back in the depression marks. The locks were finnicky and didn't slide into the lock holders well, causing some stalls to appear vacant when they were actually occupied.
Two mirrors were positioned about the handwashing area, rather than directly in front. Over a slanted, rectangular Stainless steel sink, I rinsed my hands under cold water, roughly dried them with brown paper tower, then shivered back into gloves immediately.

Our final stop of the day was the play structure. Climbing up on a sloped boardwalk, we first came across a splendid lookout deck. The other channels would lead to slides of varying heights and widths. Children in the vicinity took little interest in the lookout point ("Oh, it's just a view." said one girl.), and instead opted to ride the slides again and again.

The slide was wide enough to fit two people, thus I hesitated not and grabbed my partner-in-crime. We descended onto a cushiony foundation of hay. Pleasantly walkable and easy to maneuver, we tiptoed over reinforced haystacks, found a staircase-like cutout, and exited without remorse having experienced the last area of interest.

Concluding remarks of the visit:

Admission prices were extremely reasonable for the broad range of activities offered.
The farm presented entertainment beyond apple picking and assumed a venue was suitable for all ages, from kid-friendly attractions such as farm animals and slides to adult-appropriate fall festivities such as cider sipping.
Apple varieties were diverse, yet not necessarily fresher than other farms (with arguably lower appeal factors). A handful of our picks were bruised or rotten, entailing a decent amount of discard.
The Apple Factory's cider remains the best: Chudleigh's isn't costly, but is simply too sweet.

Nearing the 6PM mark, I agreed to grab supper before heading back for the day. Myungdong Kalguksu Shabu Shabu was my first pick.

Entering around the 6:20 PM mark, the internal quarters were discovered to be bustling and brimming with diners. We observed patiently as other parties strode in without a wait: either groups of six or eight that had made reservations beforehand.

We were eventually seated around 6:40 PM and provided utensils, water, and napkins well after the arrival of kimchi.

MD Dumplings and a Bulgogi Set Meal eased hunger with a sense of gratification.

In an attempt to alleviate feelings of satiation, I proposed venturing into the adjacent shop. The European market that I had visited at the peak of COVID's second wave had been transformed for niche customer bases.