Trafalgar Day on October 21st caused me to envisage Admiral Lord Collingwood standing on the deck of the Royal Sovereign, eating an apple with his dog , Bounce at his feet. He found Nelson a little OTT with all his signals to the fleet whereas Collingwood calmly said ' Well gentlemen, let us do something today which the world may talk of hereafter'. I bet he gave a quiet smile when he recognised the prank his pal Nelson had played- Horatio gave Cuthbert the slowest ship in the English fleet- what the Northumbrian didn't realise at first, was his friend had had the vessel copperbottomed so it was now the fastest ship and was into battle & firing 20 minutes ahead of the rest of the British 'Armada'; bear in mind men wanted to serve under Collingwood and his cannon firing/reloading time was 2 minutes to everyone else's 3 minutes because he trained his crew so well. He also caused the Royal Navy to get rid of flogging and he never had anyone flogged.
Frosty nights have born chilly, golden days.Winter coats, gloves, hats and scarves are now at the front of the cupboard and sandals have finally been stowed away.
The Chilean miners have been rescued whereas China appear to have left their miners entombed.
C&I made a reconaissance to 'The Stable' (snug!)signposted near Bolam which was beautiful with beech and wild birds which in the depth of winter will feed from your hand; we saw Danny Kaye's ugly duckling ( cygnet) being chased away by adult swans.
After Bolam we adjourned to eat berry fruit pie at the Blacksmiths. Their flower displays are as good as their grub.
Wheelbirks farm/tearoom/icecream parlour offered cakes & icecreams in a myriad of flavours after a fungus filled walk.
Did I tell you that on a £100+ restaurant bill Loch Fyne charged £1.50 for bread? I think that is mean and pennypinching.
Bread reminds me to use my blog to ask the world for some help.... I have baked buns (not pretentious muffins or cupcakes) several times recently- with good old Bero flour among others- and I find my cakes do not rise like they used to. Anyone else experience this?
