Victory

Kate Mosse (of 'Labyrinthe') says one should write every day-even if it is just a line- she mustn't have a life as busy as mine.



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?

Deer, Daphne and our Lord Collingwood

England is covered in snowdrops; multicoloured crocus are carpeting lawns eg at South Gosforth roundabout- multicoloured except in my garden wherein I planted a mix 2 years ago but this year they have come up mainly purple!

H1 could see why Admiral Lord Collingwood has always been my hero after attending a talk on him this week; the Discovery Museum has an exhibition on him at present for the 200th anniversary of his death; a Northumbrian to be so proud of- and who loved his country and his county!

Gibside provided P&I with lots of forestry clearance, 3 deer sightings, the best cheese scones- and once again we had their beetroot cake; I dislike beetroot but this is delicious- why don't the National Trust sell this recipe- how to use up beetroot (ugh!) and local produce (without air miles); I shall blog it for you.

We walked from & to St. Oswald's Tearoom near Heavenfield (my favourite place) amid snowdrops particularly near Middle Brunton woods.

P cooked 'The Ladies' a beautiful meal; where do women get husbands who do much of the cooking?- and have the kitchen completely cleared up by the time the guests have gone; I think I should put H1 in in part exchange. When I used to do dinner parties I couldn't even get H1 to do the wine- so last minute & silently (& under pain of death if his weeny contribution was not made)), he used to put white wine in the freezer then forget about it till the bottle cracks all over the freezer.

Carlin, Palm and Paste Egg Day are the Sundays coming up- I need to learn how to cook the traditional carlin peas which used to get put out in North East pubs on this day. What design should I think up for my pace egg?

I planted my Christmas gift from M- a Daphne- in the garden; it was giving the garage a beautiful perfume.