Marmalade

Spent a great day on Monday with our grandchildren. It wasn't brilliant weather, but we set off to Barton Marina, where we fed the ducks, visited the toy museum and helped A & W choose a few things from the shop, followed by lunch at The Waterfront. By the time we had got home, our granddaughter had mastered her new harmonica (up to a point!) so, once back, we formed a very noisy band, with Mike and I on penny whistles, and our grandson with a pan and two wooden spoons. Great fun.

Tuesday was marmalade day. I don't think I've ever made it before, but I am very pleased with the results, although I do prefer it a bit thicker and chunkier. The ingredients were supposed to make about 6 jars but I seem to have managed to produce twice that amount, so I've passed some on to my friends. Next time I'd like to try making it with limes.

We'd called into Walter Smiths in Lichfield and, after testing their samples, bought some wonderful pork and chillie sausages and a pork hock (99p). The sausages went down a treat and we enjoyed the hock the following day, simmered in water with cabbage (off the plot), peas and lentils. I strained the veg to serve up with the meat. This was followed by a marmalade (have to use it up, now I've made it) sponge pudding, made in a few minutes in the microwave. The following day I added more veg to the stock, and the remains of the meat, chopped up, which made a very tasty soup for lunch. Mike made another of his soda bread loaves the next day.

So, what culinary delights can we produce next? Well how about some olive oil? Only joking - but just look at this - our first ripe olive. I have to admit that it is only very small, but I'm very proud of it. The fairly new standard olive in our conseratory seems to be doing quite well so far, unlike the poor bush outside which seems to be dead despite the fact that it has managed to survive quite a few winters outside in its large pot. These 'Paperwhites' are now in full flower, but the perfume isn't as strong as usual. Maybe they need a little more warmth to bring it out.

Thursday was a wonderful, sunny, Spring-like day. I spent a good part of it laying flagstones (with Mike's help) and painting a replacement fencing panel, but it was good to be outside. The species crocus opened up fully in the sun, for the first time. Now the hellebores are all beginning to flower. Here are just a couple of the blooms. No doubt there will be more photos to follow.

As I type I'm enjoying some of Mike's bread, smothered in my marmalade, which I also appear to be spreading all over the keys of my laptop.

Just one more thing. Had a eureka moment this week regarding family history. I'd sent off for a death certificate, with very little hope that it was for the person concerned, but I needed to find out one way or the other. It turned out to be a positive result. Not for the poor ancestor though - as she died of TB n Brompton Consumption Hospital.

On Wednesday the walkers set off from Sence Country Park near Ibstock, Leicestershire, under a blue sky. Although it soon clouded over, we were able to complete a ten mile circuit without any rain. Just as well, as it was already muddy enough underfoot. I apologise for the lack of decent photos, as I was concentrating on where I was putting my feet for a good part of the walk. It did, however, make a change to find this welcoming sign. Last week our walk was not so far away from this area, and once again, we appreciated the excellent way markers. One thing we do not appreciate are badly maintained stiles and even worse, those with barbed wire fixed all around the supporting posts, just where we put our hands when climbing over. It wasn't too bad, here in Leicestershire. Some places are worse than others. During the walk we passed a large demolition site, where part of Ibstock brickworks had once stood. We also noted some fine brickwork on the older houses that we passed. Lunch was taken in a handy churchyard, where there were just enough benches for all of us. Thanks to Alan and Pauline for the walk. My boots are still awaiting cleaning.

My latest bargain was a (now) half price Christmas gift set from Blacks, which contained a very flashy purple flask and a pair of purple hand-warmers. Along with the flask I also have a rather smart water bottle (a gift from my sister), and both have drawn some comments from the other walkers. I think I may have to up-date my walking outfit to match!

Happy Birthday

I believe the weather was pretty good day yesterday, but I never really noticed what was going on outside, as I was busy in the house, preparing for Mike's 69th birthday party, with lots of help from the party boy himself. At 6pm the first guests arrived bearing presents, cards, balloons and a huge trifle, and gradually the house filled up with family, friends, and neighbours. We've not entertained such a house full for many years, when we used to hold quite a few parties, so it was good to be with some of those original friends and neighbours again. Since those early parties our family has expanded somewhat, so there was quite a bit of introducing to go through at first, but it wasn't long before there was plenty of happy chatter and laughter. From our young grandson to our elderly neighbours there must have been an age gap of about 80 years, with a good variety of ages in between, and the olds and youngs mixing together perfectly. A great success all round, and Mike enjoyed every minute of it.

I suppose we aren't the only party givers who over cater. It looks as if we will be eating all the extra food over the next few days or so, even though we did send A & E home with a bag full of goodies. After finishing the clearing up, this morning, I'm enjoying a lazy afternoon. Just as well it's a grim, wet day, as I've run out of steam, otherwise I'd be feeling guilty that I'm not down on the plot.

The other day I had a closer look at the garden, and discovered, probably like a lot of folk, that I've lost quite a few bushes, due to the severe winter weather, including a myrtle, hebe, olive, prostrate rosemary. Unfortunately it looks like my three bottle brushes have had it too. I grew them from seed, over 25 years ago, and they've flowered beautifully over many years. Now they look distinctly brown and very likely, dead. Still, if this is the case, it will be a challenge to find something to replace them. I like a challenge.

Mike's been baking!

This is a photo of Mike's first attempt at making soda bread, and I'm sorry that no one was around to share the results with us. No, I'm not! It was so good that we ate it all ourselves. Because it was so good I persuaded him to repeat the process on Wednesday, whilst I was out walking. The second loaf was just as good, so I've appointed him 'Chief soda bread baker'. We've been watching 'Baking made easy'. Lorraine Pascale makes a very good job of making everything look so simple, and she could probably connvince most men that baking was easy. Not so long I was in envy of an equally delicious looking soda loaf (Notes from a Small Shed), made by a fellow plotter, and although I've baked bread by hand and machine over the years, I must admit I'm hooked on this type of loaf now.

Tuesday turned out to be such a good day for pottering about in the garden, and finishing off all those little jobs that needed attention. Pots of hyacinth bulbs were ready to leave the greenhouse and take their place in the window box, decaying foliage removed from around the emerging snowdrops and species crocus, and the greenhouse given yet another tidy-out. A day earlier I'd received my 'Xenia' gooseberry bush, ordered from D T Brown's. On removing the packaging (beautifully packed, by the way) my immediate reaction was 'Is this all I get for my money! The bush, in its pot, as much smaller than I'd expected, but looked very healthy with plenty of fresh buds. Although there were clear instructions as to planting out I decided, due to its size, to repot it and hang on to it for a short while, and was pleased to find the pot was filled with a healthy root system. I think it will stand more of a chance by doing this rather than risk it being trampled underfoot by mistake, as I work on the plot. Once it's put on a bit more top growth it can join the other fruit bushes.

The walking club were out in Leicestershire, on Wednesday, which turned out to be a reasonable day, with no rain. Thornton reservoir was busy with anglers and others out enjoying the surroundings. Another good walk, led by Brian, and an area that was new to me and, funnily enough, next week we'll be starting at Ibstock, not so far away.

Mike and I went to see 'The Black Swan' yesterday afternoon. Another good film, if a little 'different'.

Tomorrow it's Mike's birthday party.

Must sign off. The sun is shining, birds are singing, it feels reasonably warm ..........things to do outside!

Boots

Last night it was blowing a gale, and one of our fencing panels gave up the ghost. The replacement was delivered this afternoon. It's still very gusty out there, and not particularly pleasant. I've just ventured outside with the washing basket. If the laundry doesn't end up in a neighbour's garden, there may be a chance that it will be slightly dry when I bring it back in. I can't wait for the first of the real Spring days, when it's a pleasure to peg out the washing, listening to the birds and scanning the garden for the first signs of what is to come. There are already splashes of white under the trees, where the snowdrops are well up and ready for their first photo of the year.

It was hard work ploughing through the muddy fields near Clifton Campville on Wednesday and the biting wind and grey skies didn't make it one of the better days out with the walking club. We had to keep our heads down and our eyes to the ground, as we slipped and slithered around. Typical February weather. As usual, the company was good though, and we finished the day off, enjoying our teas and coffees, sitting next to a roaring fire in The Green Man. Thanks to Jill and Brian for planning the walk. The previous Wednesday, Molly and I had led the walkers around Hartshill under similar conditions, and completely different to the day we'd done our pre-walk, when the day couldn't have been better. I hate cleaning muddy walking boots!

Mike and I spent yesterday morning inspecting the new wing of Good Hope Hospital (by special invitation as members of the Patients and Carers Committee). We were very impressed with everything we saw, and were told about, and it was obvious that everyone we met felt the same, especially the nursing staff who were looking forward to the opening on 16 February. We then caught the train to Birmingham and after a quick lunch, spent most of the afternoon at the Pre-Raphaelite Exhibition at the Gas Hall. Well worth a visit. My feet never suffer after a day out with the walking club but last night I certainly suffered with 'museum feet' (due to wearing fashion boots).

I'm hoping that this weekend I'll be down on the plot again, and wearing yet another type of boot - my wellies!