Tomatoes and Maisy

It's been a while since I posted a photo of Maisy so here she is on our afternoon walk earlier today. The sun was shining and it is about 10 degrees warmer than yesterday, at least it was this morning.

I ran down to Verwood and back this morning to cut Joy's lawn, so a nice little 5 mile run across Crane Valley Golf Course and through the copse. It gave me a break from a busy morning of cooking which carried on into the afternoon.

1. Hummus - I've been making our own regularly for months and it is mainly a case of remembering to soak the chickpeas overnight first. Nice tub in the fridge for the next few days and some left over for the curry.

2. Tomato curry - I saw the recipe in The Guardian yesterday and it was lovely. There's some left over for tomorrow as well and it was great to use another batch of tomatoes. I had to roast the spices for a few minutes including cumin, star anise, cloves, cardamon, mustard seeds and peppercorns before adding coconut milk and tumeric. I forgot, there were fennel seeds too. Eventually got to add the tomatoes and chickpeas - lovely and creamy and full of flavour without lots of heat.

3. Green tomato chutney - after soaking the tomatoes and onion overnight in salted water, I boiled the vinegar and sugar before adding sultanas and chopped apples which were from the garden and therefore doubly welcome. I drained off the water and added the tomato and onion to two pans, there was so much of it, and brought to the boil before simmering for over an hour. 9 jars and chutney are ready for their labels and storing.

4. Borscht - a beetroot soup including onions, potatoes, tomatoes, greens and beetroot from the allotment. A little bit of chilli and ginger, carrot and celery and it was ready to simmer for an hour or so. Quite a kick to it in this instance and another recipe from The Guardian yesterday.

That's enough cooking for now. Time to collect Maria from dance.

Green tomatoes

A busy day again starting with a trip to B & Q to return a couple of items and to buy paint so we can redecorate the front room and paint to restore the dining room chairs, at least sort out the little chips they've suffered over the years.

We then popped along the road a little to sell Alison's fiesta which has been suffering somewhat of late and only got through the MoT after a fair bit of expenditure. That means we are a one car family, although we have the motorhome too. To be fair, it has been something I've wanted to do for a while. We don't need two cars and can save in no longer having to pay insurance and road tax on the second vehicle. It also gives us more space on the drive and means we can shut the garden gate for the first time in 8 months.

From there we drove to the allotment where I dug up the last of the potatoes and ran the strimmer round the plot whilst Alison collected radishes and spinach, the last of the viable runner beans and french beans and a glut of tomatoes. There are plenty of red ones but there are lots and lots and lots of green ones, over 5 kg of them. 

I can't quite believe how many there are given the last minute nature of their planting. I've cut up half of them and put them to soak overnight with chopped onion in salted water prior to making green tomato chutney tomorrow. I think we're going to need some more jars!

Wool in the motorhome

 

Maria was with Sandra for the day and night which meant we had a bit of spare time. Alison suggested we take the motorhome off for a night and hence our trip away to Wool where we stayed at Whitemead Caravan Park, the electric hook up a real boon as the night time temperatures start to fall away.

We got ourselves hooked up just after 1pm and were quickly off over the railway line and walking through the small town of Wool, out toward the Black Bear pub and on to the Church of the Holy Rood which was along a beautiful road with cottages on either side. It looked like picture book Dorset and on such a sunny day, it really looked at its best.

We set off on a walk of between 6 and 7 miles which was to take us around 3 1/2 hours and take us through some stunning countryside. The walk was pretty sheltered but it was chilly in the wind in exposed areas. We butted right up against the firing range and came across old St Marys Church abandoned well over one hundred years ago, the gravestones a reminder of the population who would have been ministered to for hundreds of years before.

It was lovely to have a sit down at the Black Bear pub for a quick pint before getting some wine for our evening in the motorhome where we had a simple meal and the unaccustomed 'pleasure' of watching Midsummer Murders. We have a portable TV and an aerial with a magnetic base which allows us to get a signal strong enough for all the freeview channels. There isn't a lot on, is there? Lots to watch but not a great deal which grabs the attention.

Great idea to grab a night away and something we'll be doing again soon I am sure.

Friday food al fresco and fire pit fun

 

Got my alliteration quota completed in the title which is always satisfying. After a full week which kept us on our toes throughout, we finished with a Friday afternoon and evening in the back garden. I have kept the camping cooker despite having the motorhome simply to encourage us outside during the colder months and it did the trick. It was cooler than it has been and there was a brisk breeze but we got the spices out and rice and different bits and pieces to put together a lovely outdoor evening meal.

It was nice to then light the fire pit and to spend a few hours as darkness fell and the stars began to appear enjoying the early autumn outside where Joseph played football and went on the rope swing while Maria got on with homework. When the others went inside Joseph and I did a spot of stargazing and enjoyed watching the aeroplanes overhead and a sight of a satellite speeding high above, a bright unblinking light travelling fast across the sky.

We must do more of this, especially if we are going to be more confined again.

Moors Valley and Potterne Park

 

It was sunny whilst I did my run this morning, 4.5 miles, which took me from Potterne and on to Moors Valley and back. I've definitely picked up a bit of pace again and was under 9 minute miles for most of the run whilst listening to Table Manners, the Jessie Ware podcast which this week featured James Bay.

Maria started singing lessons at Studio One yesterday and loved it. That meant I was treated to her singing 'A Few of My Favourite Things' from the 'Sound of Music' all the way home.

It's an Amelia day today and we are planning on lots of games in the play room before we take her home via dance for Maria in her Entertainers group.

 

Restrictions

It was time for the Fiesta to have its MoT which meant having to drop it down in the morning, walk round to Bridie's, who isn't feeling well, to fix the kitchen strip light (success!), walk round to Joy's to weed the vegetable plot and fix the bathroom lock and then walk back home. A very pleasant walk it was too.

Alison's car has passed its MoT but we are going to be selling it as we don't need two cars and it is taking up soace in the drive and costing us road tax and insurance. However, I had to use it for the school run and taking Maria to dance. I used the time whilst at dance to do the weekly shop, have a run and catch up with some reading.

The main  news was of further restirctions and it seems to me they are liekly to be something of a staging post on the way to further tightening in a few weeks. The tension between the desire to keep the economy going, to be seen to be responding to those arguing it is a huge over-reaction to a disease which is going to affect relatviely few people and to avoid being seen as the bearer of bad news, and the knowledge that they can't mess it up again as badly as the spring and early summer chaos, has meant they've fudged the decisions in the hope that it will be ok, it will be enough. Maybe that is the right way to go, maybe that is going to be sufficient but the risks are enormous and despite the siren voices pushing for easing of lockdown measures and greater freedoms, the public appear to be keen for tougher action.

The message is not getting through and there has been confusion for months. Although there is a recognition of the need for a swift and decisive response to the increase in infections, there is also a sense of anger at the irony of having been encouraged to get back to normal, to enjoy the summer, to eat out to help out, to get back to the offices and workplaces, to shop, to have a drink with friends, it is the public who are being blamed here. Even though they have shown commendable resolve in following the rules, they are to blame for spreading it, for seeking tests when they feel unwell and for failing to be grateful for everything the Government has done for them. The ingratitude appears to be the biggest source of annoyance amongst the Cabinet.

In the end though it comes down to one thing, or maybe two. I have to mention the Government deliberately seeking to break International Law. That hardly sets the best example to anyone. However, it all fell apart in terms of being able to hold the moral high ground when Cummings was allowed to remain in post after his laughable excuses for the trip to Durham and Barnard Castle. He did what any father would do. Those words seem to be the excuse we could all use when acting in opposition to the guidelines. I used my judgement and felt it better to do what suited me rather than follow the rules.

Monday sunshine

We have been treated to some beautiful weather over the last several days and having been for a swim last week, which I expected to be the last of the year, it was a bonus to be able to get in again today. We were over in Bournemouth to spend a bit of time with Amelia in the afternoon whilst Kate was busy and so we got away immediately after the school run.

It was first time I had worn a mask for ages when we popped into B & Q for a few things - strip light for Bridie, carpet divider etc. and then we drove to Durley Chine and walked along the sea front to Branksome Dene, feeling the heat growing as the morning drew on. I had a lovely swim before the walk back when we stopped for a sandwich and a coffee.

It was fun people watching, lots of people about enjoying the day, plenty on the beach and others running, cycling and walking along the front. Not a cloud in the sky and 24C by the early afternoon. Not a bad day at all.  

Allotment ride

With the weather being so kind right now, it was a good morning for a ride to the allotment and I was there just after 9 this morning. The photo shows just some of the ripening tomatoes, we've already eaten quite a few, and more of the greens. 

I came home with a few radishes, french beans, runner beans, spinach, tomatoes and beetroot, as well as getting on with digging over the potato bed which we're going to be using for winter planting shortly. There were a few last raspberries too and they'll get eaten for breakfast with my porridge tomorrow.

I got home in time to give Maisy a bath before lunch and then cleaned up the motorhome, readying it for the winter, although we hope to get out in it again before the weather breaks for good.

September sun

Having dropped Maria at school, Alison and I took a drive to Alum Chine and enjoyed a few hours at the beach. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and barely a breath of wind which meant we could just sit back and enjoy the late summer sunshine without having anyone else to supervise.

The beach was largely empty when we arrived but it did get busier throughout the morning, lots of couples with small children in the main, although there were some groups of young people arriving too, none of them bigger than 5 in number, well within the new limit which came into force on Monday. Social distancing was well observed but I can't help wondering how it is all going to go once the darker days and autumn weather truly take hold. It comes as a shock when the sun sets before 7.30 now and goodness knows it is not going to be long before the clocks go back and it's dark by five. Nothing remarkable in that of course, but the possibility of toughter restrictions is going to have a huge impact on how people feel and I can't help but worry that with the darkness and rain will come greater anxiety and depression for many.

Early on in the pandemic, the fantastic spring and early summer weather made lockdown far more tolerable. people were able to get out and to enjoy walks and cycling or cimply being in their gardens. I know many people did not have those options and it must have been terrible for them but significant numbers did and they may find things very different this time.

Birthday weekend

 

It's been a busy weekend with lots of time with the family ahead of the new restrictions coming into force today. We were at Christchurch Ski Centre on Saturday morning for Joseph's birthday party, a few days early but great timing as it turns out. The children played in the park for hours with little supervision which was lovely. They are getting that bit older. 

The afternoon saw us back home where there was a big gathering of fmaily and Glen's friends to celebrate his birthday. It was nearly 2 by the time I was in bed but the lovely thing was waking up on Sunday to find the house tidy and the kitchen clear. We had put aside some space for empty cans and bottles and it proved a good move. They were full but it meant we started the day without the usual scattering of half empty cans etc. In fact the whole evening was great. We had a good time without it getting out of hand and the children loved it too.

There were a lot of sore heads the next morning so we had the children for the morning and we got Maisy out for a walk whilst we did a little litter pick and visited the park. The children went down to the park three or four times during the day and are increasingly able to look after themselves and one another. 

Today - beach day!!!

Allotment Sept 2020

 Alison and I took a trip to the allotment yesterday to cut back the grass paths and to start digging the plots ready for autumn planting, as well as continuing to pick plenty of veg for home.

The photo is of some plants which were sown in latish summer, a last of sowing at a time when we weren't sure the rabbits were going to be having most of the seedlings. There are peas, broad beans, spinach parsnips, onions and tomatoes in just this small space. The tomatoes are fruiting amazingly well having been surplus torequirement at home and planted as a bit of an experiment. They were quickly blown over and have grown along the ground rather than vertically. However, they are full of fruit and it has to be said, everything which has survived the rabbits has grown brilliantly, the soil is clearly fertile and we are getting so many beetroot, radishes, beans and a huge turnip.

There is a lot waiting in the kitchen for cooking and we have already stored a good deal in pickles, in the freezer or through fermentation. 

I have started digging the old potato plot, the first area I dug in the winter, and I can now start to dig deeper releasing nutrients from further down and providing more space for roots to more easily plunge into. We acquired the allotment in early December last year which makes me even more pleased with just how productive the plot has been and gives me a real sense of anticipation as we look forward to making improvements which will be more attractive and more productive.

 

Picnic at Knowlton Church

 

We had a lovely picnic at Knowlton Church which seemed relatively busy with several other groups walking their dogs or having their own picnic. Lots of us seeking to enjoy the last days of late summer and making the most of the freedoms we have ahead of any further lockdown measures.

Amelia was with us for the day and she collected her first grasshoppers and some snails whilst walking the banks and slopes of the ancient henge. The first settlements here date back something like 4500 years which is quite incredible, especially when you consider the site is right on our back door step. It is so easy to overlook astonishing sites when they are part of the background to everyday life and there is no charge to visit.

The sun was warm in the afternoon and Amelia enjoyed playing with the mud kitchen before I had to set off on journeys to dance and Bournemouth on a day when I drove more than I can remember doing for a very long time, trips in the motorhome not included.

Maria is back at school and that has brought an element of routine back into the days. However, there is a good deal of confusion regarding social distancing, much of it brought about because of the arbirary nature of the instructions which seem designed to aggravate people, providing opportunities to blame others and to shatter the unity which appeared to exist earlier in the year.

Young people are being blamed for the spike in cases when we were encouraged to get out for the summer, to eat out, to holiday, to shop, to go abroad and return to normal, things being farily familiar by Christmas when in fact it was always going to be difficult to avoid successive waves, when systems in place are not working e.g. getting a test, self-isolating (only 25% of people have been doing it according to a survey), when fantastical projects are aired as the solution such as the daily testing of 10 million people with results in minutes, when the Government is prepared to act unlawfully in order to get what it wants from Brexit in echoes of the scant regard to rules shown by Cummings earlier in the year.

 Ultimately I am reminded of what Cummings and others in power have said about following your own rules rather than those set out in law when your common sense tells you that is the right thing to do e.g. Grenfell and the idea that those who died did so in part because they followed instructions from those in power when common sense said get out of the building. Rees-Mogg captures that sense of entitlement perfectly. 

It is little wonder that the country feels so at odds with itself, disatisfied with its leaders and confused.

Back in the kitchen

 Maria has returned to school. She is now in Year 8 and is looking forward to getting back after such a long break. It does seem a long time since lockdown in March and home schooling but it is fair to say there is going to be more time for us to look after family, tend the allotment and so on with the days bookended by the school run, morning and afternoon.

Whilst Alison dropped Maria off and got the weekly shop done, I have made a batch of vegetarian chilli, a tomato sauce using lots and lots of tomatoes from the allotment and garden, humus, a big salad and boiled beetroot for use in salads during the week ahead. There is so much produce we are having to be creative in how we use it, adding spinach to meals at the last minute to wilt down, having portions of runner beans with every meal and now we are looking at how to store the potatoes which I dug up on Sunday.

Next up is some more blackberry picking with a view to using the juice over the winter having boiled the berries and strained them before freezing. I'll be picking up a batch of apples too which can be pureed and frozen too.

Littlehampton

After a good night on the road we set off early to make the short journey to Littlehampton, hoping for some time on the beach perhaps. The weather wasn't quite warm enough for that but we had a good walk along the beach front and the children spent hours in the Harbour Leisure Park enjoying the rides and relatively short queues.

By the early afternoon more visitors had arrived and Littlehampton seemed busy. A good deal of work is going on around the place but the general sense of being run down which I felt of Newquay was absent. There seemed to be a more residential air to the town and it felt more well to do with a mixture of people, families and couples.

The trip back home was as good as the journey to Arundel and we hope to meet up with Julie and family again soon.