GUILT

As the day has progressed, the wind has increased.  It is beautifully sunny, but the wind is wild - not that I have felt any of it.

I have been happily occupied reading and sewing, but every time I look up one or other of the dogs gives a sigh ...

I am still confined to indoors because of my wretched toe; George has not found the time to get down (from the top shelf of the dressing room) the one pair of shoes which I think may fit me, despite my taped toes.


This could be a deliberate ploy, he knows how impatient I am to get moving again.


So I have been confined to quarters.  All day long I have been made to feel guilty by two pairs of brown eyes -  Pip and Toby.  Pip is disappointed that I have not taken her to the wood so that she can take the opportunity to steal some food from the hens, Toby wants his normal walks.


George has walked them, but as far as they are concerned that is an optional extra.  Only the walks that I take with them are counted.


Sorry dogs, I just can't do it - especially without shoes!


Your Dad has been busy working on the headers for the patio wall - photos will follow when I am able.  It is looking really neat though, Jonny.


George very kindly took a photograph of some beautiful mushrooms which have grown

can you guess which part of the garden this is Jonny?  Goodness knows what type they are, but we won't be making mushroom omelettes from them.  Aren't they beautiful though?


This is what we are actually having for tea

I plan to roast them, along with some garlic, black pepper and olive oil,when they are almost done I will sprinkle them  with grated cheese and put them back into the oven, along with some home-made garlic bread and we will have a feast.  


It was wonderful having such a long chat with you this afternoon Jonny.  You were looking really well.


Lots of love


Mum
xxx

WILD FOODS OF GREAT BRITAIN

Much of today has been spent reading.  Bliss.


I have dug deep into my stacks of books and I came up with this one, which I bought at a church book sale a number of years ago - Wild Foods of Great Britain by L C Cameron.  It was originally published in 1917, my copy is a 1979 reprint.

The cats are both lazing around indoors, being fairweather-hunters, when they should be outside catching some of the rats.  


It is, therefore, reassuring to read, courtesy of L Cameron, that the brown rat, particularly young ones, are a toothsome delicacy - apparently they should be stuffed with a simple mix of breadcrumbs and sweet herbs, sprinkled with salt and pepper and mixed with the heart and liver, then roasted in a hot oven for a few minutes.  Yum.  They are good in pies too.    N.B. Use only young, newly weaned rats!


Another forgotten source of sustenance is the heron ... and we have dozens of those in the next field down, thanks to our proximity to the trout farm... seemingly heron used to be a favourite dish with our ancestors.  Plain boiled for about 8 hours, it becomes tender enough to afford a meal to a hungry person - and its flavour is only very slightly fishy!  It should be served with a thick white sauce flavoured with chopped parsley and fennel.


Grasshoppers, when collected in a large quantity, should be lightly fried in butter and seasoned.  Remember only to use the thighs, pull off the wings otherwise your meal will be spoiled by the smell of singed membranes...


So, should we fall upon hard times I can see that this book will be invaluable.


Had any memorable meals over there yet, Jonny?  Local delicacies?

Your dad just brought me my afternoon tea - hasn't he made an effort!


Just joking, that was an old photo.

This is what my afternoon cup of tea came in.


Due to my clumsiness yesterday I am still having to keep my foot elevated and have regular ice-packs, so much of today has been spent 

sitting in cosy corner, by the Rayburn.  


Lots of love,


Mum
xxx

HEADERS

Hi Jonny

It is your Dad here.  I made a start bricklaying the headers, as the photographs will show.  I tried a different technique to the previous one that we used - I used wooden spacers, which allowed me to put mortar on the side of the brick and was very quick and easy to do.

I had to cut down the last brick in the section and it took ages to get the concrete saw started up.  When I get the time I will clean the plug and give the air filter a good clean out.  No bricklaying tomorrow as it is going to be wet all day, but I will send some photos after Wednesday's work.

Mum is laid up with a broken toe, so I have to do the mixing, the bricklaying and the cleaning - and it is along job from start to finish.  She won't be fully recovered for a while and if I get some good weather I will have finished the bricklaying within two weeks so Santa's little helper is not much use right now!

Hope all goes well with the observation.

love, Pa