PEAR TREE LOG

pear tree log: I started this blog to keep my younger son, Jonny, in touch with life in Lincolnshire, while he spent a year working in China. That year turned into five! Now he is home and training to become a physics teacher. This is simply a patchwork quilt of some of the things I enjoy - life in rural Lincolnshire, our animals, friends, architecture, books, the gardens, and things of passing interest.



Wednesday 15 August 2012

After Dark Treat & the Romance is On

Last night I was treated to a spectacular sight at the bedroom window...two bats swooped and soared as they ate their way through lots of insects.  It was remarkable, at times they swooped in so fast I was convinced they would crash into the window, but their 10 minute meal was without mishap.  I was mesmerised and made no attempt to get the camera, I didn't want to miss a second of their display.  Sorry.

The morning was beautiful, sunshine was burning the early morning mist away, the air felt still and clean.  A day which promised much and hinted at autumn, my favourite season.
She was a lonely girl
The Happy Couple
A walk to Claythorpe Watermill was rewarded by the sight of these two, definitely a pair now, just paddling and grooming.   The lonely swan has a mate.  I am happy.


As Toby and I headed home we had to get onto the narrow verge to let a large white van go past - yippee, I thought, my oven has been delivered.

I picked up my pace, eager to get home and get practicing making scones, biscuits, bread, etc for this weekend's village show.

When I got there I heard George talking on the telephone; the delivery van was 'lost' not sure how to find us.   It was the van which had passed Toby and I.

So, this afternoon has been spent learning about the new oven, checking for hot spots, etc.  I'm pretty pleased with the results, it will make cooking during the warmer months, when the Rayburn is turned off, so much easier.

You may be relieved to know, Dominic,  that I have lost my prize-winning scone recipe.

I have been trying some new ones out...I think I have a likely contender here.
Light as a feather, good flavour...


Posted by at

30 comments:

  1. Lynne15 August 2012 at 21:28

    I am back from a brief trip to visit my brother in Iowa. A long, tiring drive alone in the car but happy I made the trip . . . I was most excited to visit you again. I love your blog . . . the look, flavor, style . . .

    Do you share your scone recipe?

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:39

      Hello Lynne, It must have been great to get together again, even for a short time. You have joined us at an interesting time - the annual village show. Things become a little competitive, but everyone has a laugh and lots of money is raised towards to the upkeep of the small village hall. Even more importantly, it brings the people of the village together, which is wonderful. There is a lot of fun and teasing!

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    2. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:40

      PS. I'll be more than happy to post the recipes, although I probably won't have time until early next week.

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  2. John Going Gently15 August 2012 at 22:34

    this awful summer we are having has killed off so much of the bat population this year......
    so sad..... I have only noticed an occasional bat this year down the lane at night!
    how sad

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:42

      Hello John, Although the bats have been around since we first moved here, a number of years ago, this is the first time I have seen them so close to the house - these seem to be larger ones than those we had at our previous house. I hope to get a photo some time to try and identify them.

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  3. Scarlet15 August 2012 at 23:07

    I'm glad the swan has found a mate - it's always sad to see them on their own.We have bats nearby - J and KL are fascinated by them - me, not so much!

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:44

      Hello Scarlet, We drove past the watermill about an hour ago and I am happy to say they were both there. I think the bats do a great job of vacuuming up lots of insects - that's a big plus!

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  4. Unknown15 August 2012 at 23:23

    oh whatever... blah blah blah... yadda yadda yadda... scones.. new ovens... swans... bats... so last year!

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  5. Unknown15 August 2012 at 23:24

    oh and The Viking tells me he has a copy of your scone recipe... shame eh?

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:47

      Hello Dom, You may be relieved to know I was unplaced last year, George, however won some sort of prize for his scones....xxx

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  6. Ms Sparrow16 August 2012 at 00:27

    I love scones! I'll be waiting for more information on the recipe(s)!

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:49

      Hello Ms Sparrow, I'll be very happy to post the recipes next week, or this week, if I have the time. I'm not holding my breath for a prize, but I do enjoy the ribbing and the gentle teasing.

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  7. Susan16 August 2012 at 00:39

    I know how much good bats do so I don't mind having them around. We had one swan on our pond in Connecticut (we called him Baby Huey) and it is sad to know he either lost his mate or hadn't found one. I'm happy to see yours has. Scones and tea sounds like a wonderful idea, XOXO

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:51

      Hello Susan, You will have to come round for tea and scones, then a stroll to see the happy swans. The watermill is just down the lane, I'm sure you would enjoy seeing it. I kept watch for the bats last night, but had no luck seeing them. I think they are wonderful little things.xx

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  8. Linda Starr16 August 2012 at 01:18

    So glad the swan has a mate, good to see, them floating gently by.

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:52

      Hello Linda, They do seem very comfortable in each others company - where one goes the other follows; then one grooms itself and so does the other..

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  9. Joanne Noragon16 August 2012 at 02:52

    I've bought good scones, but never made them. The best scones I ever had were from a little bakery in Manchester, Vermont. Ten years next month and I still remember them!

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:55

      Hello Joanne, I have a confession to make - I am not really a fan of scones. I have to make a batch then get everyone to try them and hope their assessment is accurate! It is amazing how such a simple basic mixture can have so many quirks which make the difference between light as a feather and my usual heavy ones.

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  10. Deb16 August 2012 at 04:19

    Nice ending for the swans. Scones...yum. Please post the recipe. Deb

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 14:57

      Hello Deb, I used to worry about the lonely swan, it had been alone on the millpond for over a year. I'll be very happy to post the recipes.

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  11. Cro Magnon16 August 2012 at 05:41

    Scones are delicious, but never eat a scoane.

    We have a new-ish oven and its temperature settings etc are great, but I'm now looking forward to lighting-up our wood fired oven for those long cooked Winter stews.

    Plenty of bats here; they live in our walls.

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 15:00

      Hello Cro, The Rayburn really comes into its own in the cold weather, it is a wonderfully quiet way to cook and I love it. Only practicality has forced me into having an electric oven for summer use, it isn't sited in the kitchen either, that honour goes to the Rayburn.

      The bats are great, I love the way they move. These are pretty big, compared to the ones at our previous place.

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  12. Green Dragonette16 August 2012 at 08:00

    Why do I get the feeling that Scone Wars is about to break out...

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 15:02

      Hello Green Dragonette, Scones are nothing but trouble - from the way they are pronounced and onwards. Dom and I always have a bit of fun about the scone class, it helps to drum up a bit of anticipation and then a laugh on the day of the show. Of course, if you have a special winning scone recipe...

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  13. Jane and Chris16 August 2012 at 13:19

    So, your scones have had their swan song then?!
    Jane x

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    1. Elaine16 August 2012 at 15:04

      Hello Jane, Oh gosh, I hope not. I think the new recipe could outshine the previous one - of course this could just be fighting talk. ;)

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  14. In My Wild Eden16 August 2012 at 15:11

    Such a beautiful post. We love to watch the bats too.

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  15. Anonymous16 August 2012 at 15:14

    So happy the swan found a mate. A scone, clotted cream and a good cup of tea -- my little piece of heaven. Although there are some good bakeries around here, the scones tend to be heavy and topped with icing or sugar. I have a collection of scone recipes and have had fun trying them out. Can't wait to try yours.

    Janet

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  16. A Colorful World20 August 2012 at 18:57

    Beautiful swans! And how exciting to get a new stove...and just in time (I see from the following posts!) :-)

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