From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

I’ve had a lovely day today. I caught a live stream of a church service which was uplifting. The DDs and DS3 got ready with water bottles for the next “ explore a public footpath “ walk. I’d had one in mind that I knew of but had never walked. We headed off up the lane for a little while, over a road, then went down a farm track. The track carried on until it came to a gate whereupon we walked around the edge of a steep, curved field. Below us was a beautiful wooded valley, carpeted in bluebells. The fragrance was amazing as we walked past. It was intriguing. The footpath took us carefully around this valley rather than through it, but it made me wonder what its past had been. A few times I’ve walked on pathways linking the road with the coast path and have come across houses and gardens, derelict or fallen down but the evidence still pointing to it having been habitable in the past. Today I looked across this valley and saw apple trees in full blossom and wondered if it had once been part of a garden.  The footpath took us on to a narrow path which led onto the coast path. As the crow flies we are a couple of miles from the sea ( although further by car to the nearest beaches) but I think this walk is our quickest access to the sea. It was bliss to see the sea again, hear the waves on the rocks and inhale the salty air.

 We watched the sea for a little while before retracing our steps. The visibility started to drop and it became quite hazy to the point that sea and sky merged into a blue grey colour. As we walked back, it became less hazy but not totally clear skies.  I was so glad to have done this walk, definitely one to do again. Once we’d got home, I think the cumulative  effect of several hours of gardening yesterday, the evening run and today’s walk knocked me out and I slept for 3 hours😳😴.  

Cherryfudge

That sounds magical. Definitely scope for some story telling with the abandoned homes and gardens.  

You've done amazingly on the allotment and garden. DH is tackling nettles and ground elder here, which may keep him busy for a while. I haven't done as much as I'd intended in the last week so need to get back to it soon. Meanwhile we need rain.

Our Sunday online service was uplifting, too. There is an immediacy about something done on Z00m, so you feel close to the front, and our music group had managed to record something with fifteen participants all at home but making music together - lovely.

Well done on the C25K too. I'm loving it!

Honeysucklelou2

The last 2 days have been taken up with work tasks. Trying to have a meeting via video conference with DS3 interrupting was an experience although thankfully DD3 distracted him by roping him in to make brownies🙂.

I got a quick visit to the allotment in. It rained here yesterday and the plants  needed it. The cornflowers looked much better for a good soaking from  the  rain! 

A couple of friends contacted me today which was  lovely, good to catch up and  chat by phone even if we couldn’t see each other.

Mumoffourkids

It rained here yesterday as well which I was glad about the same as you. The plants and seeds that I have outside could do with a good water. The ones which are doing the best are the peas at the moment.

Lovely to hear that you have been catching up with friends. It reminds me that I have a friend I need to have a catch up with.

savingholmes

Glad you got some rest after traipsing around - it does sound fun

jak

Hello. I’ve just been catching up with your diary. I’ve planted lots of lovely seeds with my son and we have a fair number of Toms, cauliflower, broccoli and marrow growing! We have also planted out pots and shallots. Thank you for the inspiration, we have really been enjoying our garden for the first time really and it’s helped enormously in these very strange times. You seem to be doing so well with everything, I do enjoy reading about your adventures xxx

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH, Mumoffourkids & Jak.

Jak - I’m glad you’re enjoying your garden. I find it gets addictive! My DD3 won’t leave me alone at the allotment because she knows I’ll “ just do this  and that “ and would probably only stop at dark, if left to my own devices!!

Much of this week feels like it’s been taken up with work. I’m finding that I need to be more available throughout the week so it’s less of a distinction between home-time and work-time. Looking forward to getting  out into the garden more tomorrow.

Payday was yesterday which I’m thankful for. The direct debits have left my account today so glad everything has been paid. I’m hoping there might be enough wriggle room to start a Help to Save account so will look into that over the weekend. The window loan payments left my account today so I’m a little less in debt. Small steps...

On Wednesday it was wet and cold, so I thought a decent baking session was the best thing. I made a batch of vanilla cupcakes, a batch of lemon cupcakes, some flapjacks and a coffee sponge ring. I’m finding that if I can keep the tins filled with cakes, the bread manages to last longer. I think that 2 of the teenagers are having growth spurts and as a result seem to be constantly raiding the cupboards . DD3 has found a biscuit recipe that she likes, so she’s been able to help out with the cooking.

Have managed the first 3 runs of C25K. The minute of running didn’t feel long at all yesterday compared with the first run when each minute felt like it would never end!  I tend to go in the evening so it’s dusk as we finish. It’s quite nice seeing the bats fitting around  above our heads!

The rain is certainly doing the garden some good. The mangetout plants have doubled in size since last week! I got some Nigella plants in the ground and have some antirrhinums ready to go in tomorrow. Despite something nibbling the runner beans, many have germinated  so will need to  get some bamboo supports in the ground tomorrow, in readies for planting them out soon. The sweet corn has germinated but I think I’ll give it a week or 2 to get established before planting them out.

savingholmes

All sounding good. My peas and carrots that I sowed either didn't germinate or got eaten. Think I need to try again but do try to find a way to start them off indoors. The pepper seeds I sowed indoors haven't germinated yet but most of the rest has.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH. My pepper seeds took at least 2 weeks to germinate inside. Peas I’ve sown in cell trays and planted out successfully. I’ve only ever sown carrots direct into the ground.  I did spot a packet of echinacea seed and thought I might try those, although it’ll be next year for flowering.

janb5

New cake recipe to enjoy!

HONEY CAKE

3 large eggs

250g Clear Honey (and 2 tablespoons to glaze)

225g Unsalted Butter

100g Brown Sugar

300g Self Raising Flour

 

·         Pre heat oven to 160

·         Butter a 20cm cake tin

·         Cut the butter into pieces and melt in a pan with the honey and sugar

·         When liquid increase heat and boil for 1 minute

·         Cool mixture for 15-20 minutes

·         Beat in the eggs

·         Sift the flour into a large bowl

·         Add the honey mixture and stir until a batter consistency

·         Pour into baking tin and bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour

·         Glaze with honey and leave to cool