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.
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!
The bread looks great Chris. We watch Lorraine too we are hooked on bread making now. Wish Mike a happy birthday from us
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