tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2954212865766467452024-03-14T00:19:54.939+00:00Norfolk KitchenMy account of foraging, growing and cooking fresh, local, seasonal food.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-66887818731877725852011-11-11T09:29:00.002+00:002011-11-11T09:46:20.934+00:00Probably the Last Norfolk Kitchen Post.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hkxcdZLBQiV9DcymLo8F1JKCkBmpWcn1xXim_pK1ks2pwpkcpmMzSdCIATMXAa2GiLu16C-a70MjmfGcQl6n18MDAcTT6s5mInKdo55coSryLo_Cpb3v9lDIzrp_vXbuC-83A0jgN_E/s1600/novembertomatoes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hkxcdZLBQiV9DcymLo8F1JKCkBmpWcn1xXim_pK1ks2pwpkcpmMzSdCIATMXAa2GiLu16C-a70MjmfGcQl6n18MDAcTT6s5mInKdo55coSryLo_Cpb3v9lDIzrp_vXbuC-83A0jgN_E/s320/novembertomatoes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673672205233523618" /></a><br />But first, have a look at my freaky November tomatoes. I left one gro-bag in the mini greenhouse to keep the frame weighted down so it wouldn't blow away and, much to my surprise, the tomatoes started growing again during the mild October weather and are now ripening! How very odd.<div><br /></div><div>Anyway, you've probably noticed my post rate has slowed dramatically recently. With the arrival of the Community Farm Pigs I've got much busier, sadly mostly with organising people and things rather than the pigs themselves though. I've also started volunteer work with the Citizen's Advice Bureau which is hugely rewarding but eats up my time too. </div><div><br /></div><div>All this extra work has coincided with what is probably a natural decline in the blog anyway. I read somewhere that most blogs have about 2 years in them before you run out of new ways to keep saying the same thing! That sounds about right from my point of view and winter is always quiet on the Norfolk Kitchen front.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully I'll find something new to write about and start up a new blog as I enjoy the writing and photography and have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people with similar interests both here and on Twitter.</div><div><br /></div><div>So it's with a suddenly heavy heart that I say Goodbye and thanks to everyone who's commented and chatted with me along the way, I hope to re-connect soon.</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-81793085158835035562011-10-15T07:17:00.004+01:002011-10-15T07:33:23.208+01:00So we're one chicken less ......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8Lyn7i5Hef6fgExAysFRfBjC9tsK5bwtmGUmDrQhn6a7fy1mPi7IuUCAvx1TEcU2ofmGeOJVHKQvepWrNJCRF3M969xksHdo1FN20SKi_STAfvlpDI9VqkUiqeoMWrHu8LOrI4hS-TE/s1600/exbattsat+play3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8Lyn7i5Hef6fgExAysFRfBjC9tsK5bwtmGUmDrQhn6a7fy1mPi7IuUCAvx1TEcU2ofmGeOJVHKQvepWrNJCRF3M969xksHdo1FN20SKi_STAfvlpDI9VqkUiqeoMWrHu8LOrI4hS-TE/s320/exbattsat+play3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663602950198063458" /></a><br />Sadly, one of our ex-batt chickens died last week. In the past she'd had a few episodes of feeling ill, standing around and looking miserable for a day or two before recovering and getting back to her usual self. But this time was different. I don't know what it was exactly that killed her but she had escaped from our front garden while free ranging and I found her a little way down the road surrounded by poisonous laurel berries. I can't be sure if she'd eaten some or if she had some other underlying condition.<div><div><br /></div><div>But the upshot is that I'm left with 4 chickens spread across 2 coops so my plan is to buy one bigger plastic coop, to combat the horrible red mite problem in the ex-batts coop, and merge both flocks into one. I'm rather apprehensive as Crispy, the thoroughbred chicken, is something of a bruiser and jealously guards her position as alpha hen. The ex-ex-batt was the alpha in the other coop and if ever they saw each other there would be blood. Literally. </div><div><br /></div><div>The remaining ex-batts seem a bit lost without their leader, egg production has slowed dramatically although this could be co-incidence with the colder weather and shorter days but I think they'll be happier once they're under the thumb again. And Crispy is already twirling her moustache in anticipation. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-89354158715163815962011-10-07T13:22:00.003+01:002011-10-07T13:54:44.822+01:00A wizened husk can be a beautiful thing.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3rBlvvk7BmD8k5bxpaNImjQAkn6Qy0Sadv-VYrACKUX3Y2fGpaJxuOdaLovlLhGmwSsHEd_Ssx5C-0NbXuKT2J_oDNEgb9yNztt7pqhfxlcPk5z9qgMlDwyTUdVR8fvh_QMtcdSlJ-A/s1600/walnuts.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3rBlvvk7BmD8k5bxpaNImjQAkn6Qy0Sadv-VYrACKUX3Y2fGpaJxuOdaLovlLhGmwSsHEd_Ssx5C-0NbXuKT2J_oDNEgb9yNztt7pqhfxlcPk5z9qgMlDwyTUdVR8fvh_QMtcdSlJ-A/s320/walnuts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660732729004590770" /></a><br />I have to admit I was relieved when the hot weather broke. There was something downright spooky about winter sun of that temperature, even the quality of the light wasn't right. I was resentful about digging the suncream out again (parents required to slather wriggly offspring in Factor 50 as thick as marj will know where I'm coming from) my hayfever kicked off again and the sloes were shriveled like raisins by the time we got around to picking them.<div><br /></div><div>On the plus side though, it's been utterly <i>fabulous</i> for the walnut crop. Normally when they fall they're still wearing their fat, wet green jackets which stain the hands mercilessly and can be difficult to pick off. Then they need to be dried out in order to remove the bitter 'wet walnut' taste and to preserve them. This year though, they're falling in a remarkably dessicated state. The green covering is dry and brittle which means it rubs off easily and cleanly, even better, the nuts are sun dried to perfection. The few I broke open have just the right crisp texture and that funny membrane that divides the two halves of the nut (can't remember the correct name) snaps cleanly in two which is a sign they've dried correctly.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's hugely labour saving, walnuts are normally a bit of a pain to dry out and we end up with sacks of them all round the house, spread out in front of the radiators to try and speed the process up. This time it's just taken an hour or so to rub the skins off and that's it. As a result we're being ruthlessly efficient, going out early in the morning after every windy night to fill another bag. Knowing the pigs will be eating the excess assauges my guilt twinges. I wonder how a diet of windfall apples and walnuts will affect the taste of our pork?</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-10483309954670938812011-10-04T09:57:00.003+01:002011-10-04T10:20:58.921+01:00When foraging and pig keeping collide.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQVsuoHCqK-hUhnKwXpB9crYjVU3xhD2_uw3aFQSMMILmAgW51Wwtd0Ry14Rz7YLBCJnIhHwH5886T3o9w0JntN_cIIk_J4TkMHyqQeeJZSoTV4Mi1W4VZ-YeIcb9qHQYRBezpmRJfYQ/s1600/DSC_0615.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQVsuoHCqK-hUhnKwXpB9crYjVU3xhD2_uw3aFQSMMILmAgW51Wwtd0Ry14Rz7YLBCJnIhHwH5886T3o9w0JntN_cIIk_J4TkMHyqQeeJZSoTV4Mi1W4VZ-YeIcb9qHQYRBezpmRJfYQ/s320/DSC_0615.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659562241484750210" /></a><br />I do apologise if this sounds like a smug-fest, it's not what I intend, but sometimes I'm amazed at how lucky I am. <div><br /></div><div>This morning I packed Willow off to school with a bag full of home grown patty pan and crooked neck squash for the harvest festival (I think she would have preferred a packet of Jaffa cakes but there you go) then I stopped by the pigs to feed them and scritch their ears (they recognise me now and come galloping over, grunting excitedly when they see me) and finally, back at home, I fed our chickens and collected the warm eggs.<div><br /></div></div><div>It all feels a very long way from my urban background and a concrete planter full of <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/nasturtiums.html">nasturtiums</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also discovering that foraging goes hand in glove with pig keeping. We've still got a sack full of walnuts from last year so Adam has been dispatched to collect a new bag full (the nuts have begun to fall but there are more to come I think, fingers crossed for gales at the weekend) and the old ones will be used to supplement the hard pig food over the winter and hopefully save us a bit of money. In the mean time I'm now adding acorns and beech nuts to my foraging wish list. </div><div><br /></div><div>They're also getting left over veg from the veg growing arm of Diss Community Farm, but in the manner of wayward toddlers, they're not massively keen on the Cavolo Nero and are holding out for fermenting apples instead. The Livestock project overall is running well, the feeding rota is going smoothly. It's working out that most of us have about 2 feeds during the week and are taking 2 weekends each over the next few months so the time commitment isn't too heavy, a very civilised way to keep pigs!</div><div><br /></div><div>I've ordered my sausage making kit from Amazon so it's just a matter of waiting now - come on piggies, eat up!</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-65303445031654969242011-09-21T14:13:00.004+01:002011-09-21T14:37:54.071+01:00At last!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAAl5h-vjwoi7rB3ZhboorljXCwUE9RkRAaS5iwqAQzeO9rRQPm56XuEBHZNS9l2gVirSpwrpxureTn4zS5dYHHkTLvt5TDFQorDB09HpScgOFCQxclpyTO7y0mSSgEqKBj5X6YnvJBM/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAAl5h-vjwoi7rB3ZhboorljXCwUE9RkRAaS5iwqAQzeO9rRQPm56XuEBHZNS9l2gVirSpwrpxureTn4zS5dYHHkTLvt5TDFQorDB09HpScgOFCQxclpyTO7y0mSSgEqKBj5X6YnvJBM/s320/DSC_0398.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654806121076537138" /></a>We have our pigs! It's taken 7 months but at last they're here. They haven't had far to come as they're staying on the small holding site where they were born but were transferred from their home with their Mum into the Diss Community Farm paddock.<div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately they don't seem too keen on their new home, the squeals of protest they made at being picked up had to be heard to be believed. Then, within minutes of arriving, they calmly pushed their way through the squares in the stock fencing and strolled back to Mum! We played porcine hokey cokey all weekend and then decided to leave them where they were until we could order an electric fence. Fortunately it shouldn't be too long til they grow a bit bigger and won't be able to fit through the fence any more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Willow and Xanthe are in their element, Xanthe in particular has no fear of the pigs but I don't think it'll last when they get big, ugly and slobbery. Their cuteness (the pigs, not the children) is the main weakness in our plan at the moment, I worry that they'll become too pet like and we'll have tears when sausage time rolls around. We've deliberately not named them and I'm banking on the big, ugly, slobbery factor to make the goodbyes a bit more bearable.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've found myself leading the DCF Livestock project almost by accident, our illustrious leader is having a baby soon so pig wrangling with an advanced bump is not the best idea. I offered to help out over her maternity leave, not realising that I was the only volunteer. So here I am, zero pig husbandry experience, no diy skills, no van, no truck, no trailer, an electric fence kit propped by the back door which is too heavy for me to lift and an 8' pig ark on it's way with no clue how I'm going to get it to the pigs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fun and games ahead I think!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q6IbcZJ1XL_vXWV6B0HWspLaXNrHxrDY2BQsI-hzrHw9FOxhkWBPjhht3cIn5p71fKiEwq4wCbFAct-xnnopbo5iNNQJQB0xMfo6JK1mIFWs6nsvR8xmuKXd7JrLe-e6VbDuwF3VXCU/s1600/herecomethepigs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q6IbcZJ1XL_vXWV6B0HWspLaXNrHxrDY2BQsI-hzrHw9FOxhkWBPjhht3cIn5p71fKiEwq4wCbFAct-xnnopbo5iNNQJQB0xMfo6JK1mIFWs6nsvR8xmuKXd7JrLe-e6VbDuwF3VXCU/s320/herecomethepigs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654805443929099122" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-45478279152158115022011-09-15T10:14:00.004+01:002011-09-15T10:37:47.508+01:00Runner Bean where is thy string?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCwJmLwOB-pHh91T18k1uxwNrLXNn-GLedW5z2LBmECq7MmpsTibdeAb_GMfRljycvOb93yeywE4VWpTFMYxfBxFoHe1RDX7RMO2SjsvahUS1ZUSBq3FAVfHZ-waOVCLEzIyOjXN5n5I/s1600/runnerbeans.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCwJmLwOB-pHh91T18k1uxwNrLXNn-GLedW5z2LBmECq7MmpsTibdeAb_GMfRljycvOb93yeywE4VWpTFMYxfBxFoHe1RDX7RMO2SjsvahUS1ZUSBq3FAVfHZ-waOVCLEzIyOjXN5n5I/s320/runnerbeans.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652518074773839330" /></a><br />Last year I grew quite a lot of runner beans, which would've been nice if they had been edible. They were shot through with the weird, remarkably tough, plasticy fibers. This year I made a conscious decision to remember that I hate runners and not grow them again .....<div><br /></div><div>but .....</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to visit the vegetable project part of Diss Community Farm where Gabbi the Grower waxed lyrical about the variety of runner beans she was growing. Her description of them when slow cooked in a spicy tomato sauce was beguiling. I <i>think</i> she was growing Enorma which I couldn't find but she also recommended Hunter. After my broad beans failed I found myself with a spare bed on the allotment so I planted some Hunter.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, yes, this tale does end in the manner I think you're expecting. The Hunters are divine with an amazing and unexpected silky texture. I even enjoy the feel of them in my hand as I pick them. I think I'll stop there before I embarrass myself further with the gushing. </div><div><br /></div><div>In other Diss Community Farm news, we are finally taking delivery of our pigs on Saturday. Many things have been happening on the livestock front so I'll save all the news for dedicated piggy post with pictures of our tasty new friends over the weekend. </div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-48367405279794771492011-09-06T07:46:00.004+01:002011-09-06T08:30:19.164+01:00Nasturtiums<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_cG2ofpDs66ls9EGKo7-7UPPmBn7fVZhnUMHXuY6HCR7uXF4iEyD4cYEwAMGxH1qJm1jDCnQswwyk2HEQHebFcMwMLcMwaXNKR0eM1_XLFd03lZqg9xVN4Cx_aBFiVhZyl8Own054LE/s1600/nastursham+seeds.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_cG2ofpDs66ls9EGKo7-7UPPmBn7fVZhnUMHXuY6HCR7uXF4iEyD4cYEwAMGxH1qJm1jDCnQswwyk2HEQHebFcMwMLcMwaXNKR0eM1_XLFd03lZqg9xVN4Cx_aBFiVhZyl8Own054LE/s320/nastursham+seeds.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649145132005664338" /></a><br />Nasturtiums have a special place in my affections. My food growing odyssey started with a packet of Nasturtium seeds in the back yard of a northern terraced house.<div><br /><div>The house had an extension which occupied 80% of the original yard, leaving us with a tiny paved square bordered on all sides by walls at least 6 feet high. On sunny days we'd dash out with our plastic chairs to sit in the single shaft of sunlight which managed to peer over the walls for 15 mins at mid-day. At least the brevity of the sunbathing meant we didn't have long enough to be over powered by the stench of the bins stored out there. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 1999 I watched Escape to River Cottage. Somehow or other, the disparity between Hugh's reality and my own didn't sink in. Instead, I eyed the small concrete planter built at the base of the wall by a previous tenant and thought I could get me a piece of the rural idyll. I planted Nasturtiums and wild rocket. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can't say it was a roaring success. As I'd planted the only greenery for miles around, every single creature, winged and 4 footed was magnetically attracted to it. The Nasturtiums were rapidly covered in blackfly so I planted marigolds to attract the lacewings and therefore the ladybirds. Literally overnight half a dozen marigold plants were reduced to stalks by the monstrous turd-slugs, still the biggest slugs I've ever seen and big enough to make me fear for my limbs if I stayed still for too long out there. On the plus side, the neighbourhood cats seemed to appreciate the thoughtful toilet facilities I'd laid on for them. I really should have added cologne and a gilt dish for tips.</div><div><br /></div><div>It didn't take much to distract me from the disastrous concrete planter. Life moved on and I moved out, the grow my own dream was neglected for almost a decade until I moved to Norfolk and acquired a small garden. When we got our first allotment last year, one of the first things I planted was the Nasturtiums. Just 'cos I can. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>This year I've tried Nasturtium Seed Capers for the first time. I used Pam Corbain's recipe but the basic method is to soak the green (not yellowed or pinky) seed pods in brine for 24 hours then pack into a sterilised jar and cover with vinegar. Leave to mature for a few weeks before using. No idea what they taste like - I'll let you know when I find out!</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-40868717476873365582011-08-26T08:04:00.004+01:002011-08-26T08:36:38.493+01:00Recipe Roundup<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirO4l0yGnGpqYn7azRWpnLCB1epxWSOfkfWUVuUs_ZZZpSXNi4QUmG6nD9-pkCPWerv5sekoKym1H8QPwdZahKN8KHUcw3Dn45InQilCG9DNZxA633BSeQX-fUWD309U1Z8ES5m_zFgfA/s1600/tomatoes2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirO4l0yGnGpqYn7azRWpnLCB1epxWSOfkfWUVuUs_ZZZpSXNi4QUmG6nD9-pkCPWerv5sekoKym1H8QPwdZahKN8KHUcw3Dn45InQilCG9DNZxA633BSeQX-fUWD309U1Z8ES5m_zFgfA/s320/tomatoes2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645065072052909938" /></a>
<br />Needless to say, after my last post I've been busy in the kitchen trying to wrangle a few gluts. <div>
<br /></div><div>First up were the courgettes, the best use for them so far must surely be the <a href="http://www.mumsnet.com/Recipes/i/5329-Courgette-and-carrot-chocolate-brownies">Courgette Brownie</a> recipe I picked up from Mumsnet. I used 100% courgettes instead of half courgettes and half carrots and chocolate chips instead of nuts (This is a bit like Theseus' paradox, if you change the ingredients is it still the same recipe?). There was a cloak and dagger element to the preparation as I couldn't let the children know there were (gasp!) <i>vegetables</i> in them. My deception paid off and the girls adored the dark, moist, indulgent tasting brownies and I could polish my good mum halo as they chomped down the courgettes. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Next were my bounteous crop of tomatoes. My whole reason for growing lots of toms this year was to repeat the <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/09/tomato-ketchup.html">Ketchup</a> I made last year. Incidentally, I was out attempting to pick some wild apples for the recipe and, to my horror, discovered many local trees completely bare. Is anyone else finding the same? I'm wondering if the dry spring had something to do with it. I may even be driven to the extremes of <i>paying</i> for cooking apples for goodness sake. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Finally, I used my plums to make <a href="http://www.laundryetc.co.uk/2011/08/04/blaisdon-plum-lavender-jam/">Plum and Lavender jam</a> after being inspired to try the maceration technique by drroothair's comment on my <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/yellow-bullace-jam.html">Yellow Bullace</a> Jam post. It took ages to stone the fruit but once that drudgery was out of the way it's a lovely way to make jam although I have to admit I went for the 'just boil it all up' method rather than fiddling about removing bits and then re-adding them. I couldn't taste the lavender in the final product at all but luckily, it didn't set first time so I re-boiled it and added some mixed spice which produced a lovely, tangy jam I was very pleased with. Hmmm, Theseus raises his head again, if you change the spices and the technique .....</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Now, breakfast time, I'm off to pick some tomatoes for fresh tomatoes on toast - it's a hard life!</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-85128355497029944102011-08-21T09:44:00.005+01:002011-08-21T10:17:34.173+01:00Glorious Gluts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C31f_IR1-ONkj3OMaeI9hm_VOA96udMvhKtD82AS7E3sdO3EYyfEaG-8rM6n3Yym1zlMnzIVrFoTlVX2J-KmkIYTBLcm9cFu26Ai5_m9uET9zplhfoV0z-V__E9rbAMX2qVNvDEGcfA/s1600/plums.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C31f_IR1-ONkj3OMaeI9hm_VOA96udMvhKtD82AS7E3sdO3EYyfEaG-8rM6n3Yym1zlMnzIVrFoTlVX2J-KmkIYTBLcm9cFu26Ai5_m9uET9zplhfoV0z-V__E9rbAMX2qVNvDEGcfA/s320/plums.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643235135119346626" /></a>
<br /><div>I'm starting to panic a bit if I'm honest, I think I've got to admit defeat with the patty pan mountain (maybe one more batch of piccalililili though) the tomatoes are coming on stream so I need to start making ketchup and the wild fruit is just ripening up too. Damsons looking readyish, the pear tree is groaning, we visited our old chum the wild plum tree yesterday and came home with 5kilos of plums, oh yes, and we still have about 5 kilos of Mirabelle plums in the freezer waiting to be processed. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I have a soft spot for this tree as it was one of our first big foraging finds, back in the day when we were still amazed at all the free fruit hanging around being ignored by the general populace. I don't know what sort of plum it is, it's not a damson because the fruit is sweeter and not so dark purple, they're smaller than Victoria plums but a similar colour. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Each year it's a battle to outwit the grubs (wasps?) as when the plums are fully ripe it can be virtually guaranteed that a small wiggly worm is in there, pooing for all it's worth, leaving a tell tale droplet of crystalised plum juice sitting on the softly bloomed surface. My solution is two-fold, early in the season I pick the plums slightly under-ripe (I'm so well acquainted with this tree by now I can tell the exact ripeness by the colour of the skin) The plums which are still green now will ripen later in the season and will usually escape the attentions of the wasps who have done whatever it is that wasps do in the winter (sleep/die/emigrate - who knows) by the time they're ripe, although whether they have escaped the attention of other foragers is another thing, there was already the familiar <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/foraging-etiquette.html">trampled ring of disappointment</a> around the tree yesterday. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>So what to do with them? Jam maybe, for the increased pectin in the under-ripe plums, or a plum cheese, nice and sharp or maybe bottled with red wine and spices. Whatever I end up doing I'd better get on with it quick as there's more fruit coming down the conveyor belt!</div><div>
<br /></div>By the way - Many apologies for the blog silence over the past week, I've had my Mum to stay and we've been busy either taking the children out on day trips or Adam and I have been making the most of having a babysitter in the house and having a social life for once. All back to normal now though.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-27521963894121566772011-08-11T10:30:00.005+01:002011-08-11T10:55:52.794+01:00Piccallilililiiii<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbBmIyJeSwJRc3uIU4_krp0zh9jUZVIJl4aFRLdA9HRfV_yzoG5TL8xOo-Z1t-sFfE3uzGICHgVPOJmKQh-goiQvm-bj92zlxLG9HX7teckuY37HxkjcATy38tRR3jR1SFSaaBakrPUc/s1600/piccalilli.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbBmIyJeSwJRc3uIU4_krp0zh9jUZVIJl4aFRLdA9HRfV_yzoG5TL8xOo-Z1t-sFfE3uzGICHgVPOJmKQh-goiQvm-bj92zlxLG9HX7teckuY37HxkjcATy38tRR3jR1SFSaaBakrPUc/s320/piccalilli.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639534605366986338" /></a>
<br />I never know when to stop with Piccalilli, it's a bit like banananana. <div>
<br /></div><div>I remember being a funky 18 year old (yes I was one once!) and visiting an older relative in the middle of her making Piccalilli. I was aghast, make Piccililli? I mean <i>make</i> it? Why? Is that even possible? And if it is why would you bother? <div>
<br /></div><div>I think at that point if you'd told me that not only would I made my own Piccalilli one day but that I'd be photographing it as I went along to show the world what I'd done I think I would have thrown myself under the nearest bus. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Hooray for not being 18 any more, that's what I say.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I've finally got a few bona fide gluts from our allotments. Last year I was rather disappointed that our only true gluts came from the wild larder. Although we had plenty from the allotment I was never in danger of being overwhelmed. This year, however, is shaping up to be different!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Yesterday I could only bring home the fruits from 2 of our 5 Patty Pan squash plants because my flexi bucket was full and I was staggering under the weight of it so I currently have 16 patty pans at home with probably another 24 still on the allotment.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm wrangling this particular glut by pickling like mad, including today's Piccalilli. (That's why you bother, my 18 year old self, to use up the sodding summer squash!) I used Pam Corbin's recipe from the River Cottage Preserve book. My version had patty pan squash, courgettes, onion, carrots and broccoli. I wasn't sure if the broccoli was a bit bonkers or not but Pam says green crunchy veg is the secret to a good Piccalilli so hopefully it'll work. It needs a few weeks to mature but I nibbled some while I was potting it up and it was lovely if a tad vinegary but that's what maturation is for. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>So, 1 patty pan down, 31 to go .....</div><div>
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<br /></div></div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-6890446036365167032011-08-08T15:12:00.004+01:002011-08-08T15:28:38.370+01:00Sunshine Pickle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYNJSX6jbxHMkcM7CaUykm0htFwdD3ZkIelAWACjQSdrB1iauHXimcV1TuVAGoMylJqF0a7YzbR7zQzxJCaUEylSB90cIKVTgg8fijyAB6SAh4ZMPNeWctJAqicnC73Corgmd4B9k-Jg/s1600/sunshinepickle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYNJSX6jbxHMkcM7CaUykm0htFwdD3ZkIelAWACjQSdrB1iauHXimcV1TuVAGoMylJqF0a7YzbR7zQzxJCaUEylSB90cIKVTgg8fijyAB6SAh4ZMPNeWctJAqicnC73Corgmd4B9k-Jg/s320/sunshinepickle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638489829918326370" /></a>
<br />Just a short post to record this morning's irony. I made a batch of <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/courgette-pickle.html">courgette pickle</a> using yellow courgettes and orange peppers which I thought would make a lovely sunshiney pickle redolent of summer. The very moment I got the preserve pan out of the cupboard the heavens cracked and rain commenced bouncing down in stair-rods together with a mighty wind that rattled the fences in a manner which made me fear for the rotting fence posts.<div>
<br /></div><div>I have to admit it gave me pause, just in case it was a divine opinion on my pickle vision or something. Hopefully, the almighty is a bit too busy to take an interest in the minutiae of my preserve recipes and I haven't damaged my immortal soul by pressing on and making it anyway.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><div>It's very pretty by the way. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>(and yes, we did have a good time on holiday. Thanks for asking)</div></div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-51885719995051657522011-07-30T15:13:00.002+01:002011-07-30T15:15:07.937+01:00Summer HolidayWe're off on the annual Norfolk Kitchen summer holiday. Willow and Xanthe are making their first ever foreign trip to Eindhoven and are very excited about visiting De Efteling. <div><br /></div><div>We'll see you back here next weekend. </div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-72275565604510765752011-07-28T15:18:00.004+01:002011-07-28T15:43:22.913+01:00Mirabelle and Ginger Cordial<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjQCTChy91d7XzMu40EM0YCscLFvcUOfZSG3JiwOU2HB29VzD8DBLd1jeiQ0HLqqu-CCGrRFExTFV_pbRKjdRHtyxrjN5PbZt0mjcyITgm4ZRAyuZgbkL9yYmowJTxdADFYo9HV3pTLQ/s1600/mirabelleandgingercordial.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjQCTChy91d7XzMu40EM0YCscLFvcUOfZSG3JiwOU2HB29VzD8DBLd1jeiQ0HLqqu-CCGrRFExTFV_pbRKjdRHtyxrjN5PbZt0mjcyITgm4ZRAyuZgbkL9yYmowJTxdADFYo9HV3pTLQ/s320/mirabelleandgingercordial.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634412770021998498" /></a><br />It's only 3pm and I'm sipping a whiskey with Mirabelle and Ginger Cordial. All in the name of research you understand. Pity we didn't have any limes because a twist would've made it perfect.<div><br /></div><div><b>Mirabelle and Ginger Cordial.</b></div><div>I'm calling the yellow bullace Mirabelles for this recipe as it sounds posher. I took about 2 or 3 kilos (didn't weigh them first) and simmered them in about half a pint of water til they were soft, bashing them up with a wooden spoon and a potato masher along the way to help the juice come out. Once they were cooked I strained them through a muslin lined sieve until the juice had dripped through. For every litre of juice I added 700g light brown sugar plus a tablespoon of ground ginger. I then warmed it through til the sugar dissolved. </div><div><br /></div><div>And here the ginger problem began. It was the devil's own job to get rid of little clumps of ground ginger which dispersed grittily through the cordial, giving an unpleasantly strong gingery hit if you got one in your mouth. I whisked it which helped with the bigger lumps but made no difference to the smaller ones, in the end I strained it through a tea strainer while bottling up. Next time I may try fresh ginger juice instead although any tips on dealing with ground ginger would be gratefully received.</div><div><br /></div><div>The children aren't madly impressed with this one but I remember hating ginger beer when I was Willow's age and this cordial leaves a definite lingering warmth on the tongue. It's not got the impressive glowing colour of it's companion, cherry plum cordial, having a rather more sludgy appearance (am I selling it?!) instead. Personally I really like it's sweet/sharp toffee edged flavour which makes me think of Christmas.</div><div><br /></div><div>As aforementioned, I decided to mix up some cordial with whiskey, just for research to see if it worked and enable me to report accurately on the blog. Honest. As I say, a twist of lime seems to be missing but other than that it's a lovely drink. Feels like it should cure ailments at 10 paces. I'm sure other dark spirits would work well too, or as a syrup over vanilla ice cream.</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-85016110811553298352011-07-27T14:33:00.004+01:002011-07-27T14:49:21.639+01:00Cherry Plum Ketchup<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-Yopjj-ftqwe8LHU0jxCiJSpwAwVhkclNGDcSePJfJYjp4Yc4Ik6x0jhWeUiNYrsDQdfNTLy4VF4JWF9UXEyRWshTb39hkwprzb3CDqCm8uKIGuNz0ZIfPxrM0NVm7iiQdZALnp_ygg/s1600/cherryplumketchup2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-Yopjj-ftqwe8LHU0jxCiJSpwAwVhkclNGDcSePJfJYjp4Yc4Ik6x0jhWeUiNYrsDQdfNTLy4VF4JWF9UXEyRWshTb39hkwprzb3CDqCm8uKIGuNz0ZIfPxrM0NVm7iiQdZALnp_ygg/s320/cherryplumketchup2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634028181270788290" /></a><br />Here's the recipe from my plum ketchup experiment the other day. It's not quite got the HP sauce taste I was aiming for, maybe due to the lack of dried fruit compared to the Cherry Plum Chutney recipe, but it is a lovely, tangy, tingly on the tongue sauce and such a beautiful colour too. <div><br /></div><div><b>Norfolk Kitchen Cherry Plum Ketchup.</b></div><div>2 kilos cherry plums</div><div>2 onions chopped</div><div>440ml vinegar (any kind except malt)</div><div>320g sugar</div><div>30g ground ginger</div><div>1tsp cayenne pepper</div><div>2oz salt</div><div>Generous pinch mixed spice</div><div><br /></div><div>Stone the plums, add them to a pan with all the other ingredients. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 40 minutes until the mixture is thick and jammy. Briefly blend everything together (I used a stick blender) then push through a sieve into a clean pan. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Makes approx 2 litres. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure how long this will keep though I suspect it's not long as it's fairly light on the vinegar and sugar. To get around this I've got one bottle in the fridge and have put the excess into plastic bottles and stored them in the freezer.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>The main advantage of home made ketchups versus shop bought, in my opinion, is their natural non-plasticy taste which gives them greater versatility. They're perfectly acceptable poured over most things I would never introduce to Heinz, like Pizza, omlettes or cheese on toast. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Right then, next on the experiment list: Yellow Bullace and ginger cordial. </div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-63276786066360991422011-07-26T08:23:00.006+01:002011-07-26T08:56:50.658+01:00The 2011 Foraging Season kicks off.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiC_ROaIvR8Nwy0m5ywU4ezFWdYiWlyXcxRdxJwaRFeknpApKdO0TEjnFKiqfjPPf4J6vPTfmzeuwRilRzS050Z0PyUCyfUlF4vRhMnpOxR7jC1mlSVneSMw2tgXPgPKgZ4NeTyXsFXE/s1600/DSC_0910.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiC_ROaIvR8Nwy0m5ywU4ezFWdYiWlyXcxRdxJwaRFeknpApKdO0TEjnFKiqfjPPf4J6vPTfmzeuwRilRzS050Z0PyUCyfUlF4vRhMnpOxR7jC1mlSVneSMw2tgXPgPKgZ4NeTyXsFXE/s320/DSC_0910.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633566643577420370" /></a><br /><div>One advantage of the children getting a little older is that they can be put to work in the foraging season - here's Xanthe hard at it in the kitchen.<div><br /></div><div>On Saturday we went out on our annual cherry plum harvest, I know everyone else seems to have been picking them for weeks already, but our usual spot is in the shady side of a very tall hedge and they seem to ripen later. For a change it was a gloriously sunny day (most previous trips to this location have involved wellies and pack a macs), the children decided to scamper off into the 'hedge' which is actually a narrow strip of woodland running along the back of the Diss Rugby club ground, but Adam summoned them back to pull their weight in the fruit harvest.<div><br /></div><div>We've refined our technique after last year's <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/08/so-much-to-report-so-little-time_23.html">marathon bullace harvest</a> and went for a 'shake the tree' method rather than the 'selective use of the apple picker' method. Adam extended the apple picker to it's full length, wedged it onto a branch and shook like mad. The resulting monsoon of cherry plums and yellow bullace sent the girls into shrieking paroxms of delight - at least until Xanthe was hit squarely in the eye by a large cherry plum. After that we stood well back while the fruit bounced down on Adam's head.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Once the road was carpeted with fruit, the children were required to help, we all rushed around around frantically picking them up before any cars came along. It's a teeny tiny single track country road so cars aren't frequent, I think we only saw 3, but they do seem to come along just at the wrong moment and squash the maximum number of plums. We also had our annual "yes you can eat them" conversation with passing walkers who never seem quite convinced and refuse our offers to try one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I made our household favourite, <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/p/drink-recipes.html">Cherry Plum Cordial</a> (made 4 bottles, one half used already) and today I'm going to try and amalgamate my <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/07/cherry-plum-chutney.html">Cherry Plum Chutney </a>recipe with my<a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/right-thats-it-moulis-goes-in-bin.html">Plum Ketchup</a> recipe which should be an interesting experiment. I'm hoping it turns out a bit like HP sauce.</div><div><br /></div><div>We picked 3 kilos of cherry plums and 4 of yellow bullace but I don't think it's enough! We're on holiday next week but I'm hoping to pick some more at the weekend and stash them in the freezer for processing when we get home.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpkOiDQN24ueLY2iF40xi7P5tB2qh5cZqDp7u1C2UAnHfN8-Wh6Ejn3C-4cbj3617WkI27GqwLPXKge0Z2Fgb0zm9HT1PE-nPZaQab4XYkhIlUflq32fbzm05JPfFNg3mwZcnL1OZWYI/s1600/cherry+plum+cordial.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpkOiDQN24ueLY2iF40xi7P5tB2qh5cZqDp7u1C2UAnHfN8-Wh6Ejn3C-4cbj3617WkI27GqwLPXKge0Z2Fgb0zm9HT1PE-nPZaQab4XYkhIlUflq32fbzm05JPfFNg3mwZcnL1OZWYI/s200/cherry+plum+cordial.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633565846336377426" /></a>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-6981147183101709142011-07-20T12:19:00.004+01:002011-07-20T14:07:35.365+01:00Is next year always the perfect year?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o_bOHBmk84YGt9vIEcU30aGY64PmXoKK_kSsWYTNRZQJi0Tz8W60UemaT8tQmYhuIRS3JJnJURJTX7OA7KQalySzye-0myWuVn2gYJoU8b1TYpgn2ZMLa73ZiUJRp6XjMoXNRrWlI3A/s1600/dissallotment.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o_bOHBmk84YGt9vIEcU30aGY64PmXoKK_kSsWYTNRZQJi0Tz8W60UemaT8tQmYhuIRS3JJnJURJTX7OA7KQalySzye-0myWuVn2gYJoU8b1TYpgn2ZMLa73ZiUJRp6XjMoXNRrWlI3A/s320/dissallotment.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631418575762116482" /></a><br />Because this year never is never quite up to scratch. There's always that little tweak which will make next year the best one ever. <div><br /></div><div>2008: I started small scale veg growing in my teeny tiny back garden. The mistakes were many and varied. I didn't even realise that broad beans aren't climbers and optimistically planted 3 plants inside a bamboo wigwam and was surprised when I only grew enough for one tiny meal. Next year, I thought, I'll know better.</div><div><br /></div><div>2009: Had a more realistic idea about yields. Didn't do too badly, learned my mosaic virus lesson, started this blog. Refined my plans and felt confident of next year being the best <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/02/maximum-yield-and-teeny-tiny-garden.html">back yard year ever.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>2010: Acquired an allotment! Great news but scuppered best back yard plans as focussed on the allotment instead. Scaling up was a shock to the system and we struggled to keep the weeds under control. But I had ideas, made plans, changed tack slightly. Next year will best growing year ever.</div><div><br /></div><div>2011: Acquired a second allotment! Great news but totally changed the face of my plans for my original allotment due to the need to incorporate a 'split site' strategy. Plans for re-arranging the original allotment severely curtailed by the dry spring locking my fruit beds into the concrete like clay soil. Come Autumn, I'll catch up with the re-arranging then next year I'll be able to instigate my plans properly. The manure is rotted and ready to go, my weed control strategies are in place, I know the difference between vine and bush tomatoes - it'll be the best growing year ever! (Won't it?)</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-39018165129250134132011-07-17T11:45:00.003+01:002011-07-17T16:01:26.151+01:00It's a Potato!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlgLghCnLT7QMRKyeAfZOir3_kE7AD0yU7XDge0Tw9R14Z4bCHBgoWRovsvsUwjm-h99c_ForGklVsDaZ4MpqqxibEWriXddpeJ7BdnwoSQmh62bNNNKdP06hI1bE3XbNbDtKzltHEvY/s1600/potatoes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlgLghCnLT7QMRKyeAfZOir3_kE7AD0yU7XDge0Tw9R14Z4bCHBgoWRovsvsUwjm-h99c_ForGklVsDaZ4MpqqxibEWriXddpeJ7BdnwoSQmh62bNNNKdP06hI1bE3XbNbDtKzltHEvY/s320/potatoes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630336107517401874" /></a><br />I defy anyone who was a child in the '80's to dig up a potato and not say "It's a potato!" softly to themselves every time they find one. (Here' the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM4ykTjksyc">explanation</a> for those who weren't) And while I'm on the subject, can I add to my list of life's small disappointments: thinking you've found a potato but it turns out to be a smooth stone. Bitter disappointment of this nature can crush your soul. <div><br /></div><div>I've now sampled 2 kinds of new potatoes, my much sought after <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/01/well-hello-2011.html">Ulster Sceptre</a> and the more common place Aron Pilot. My Ulster Sceptre did give me a few childhood memory flashbacks. The taste, if I'm honest, is just potatoy, but the texture, smell and colour of the skin took my right back to those sweaty little 5lb bags we used to get from the shops. </div><div><br /></div><div>What I did really appreciate was the floury texture. The Aron Pilot are far more waxy and not really very good for roasting or mashing but the Ulster Sceptre are a much more dual purpose potato - which explains why they were so popular in the chippies back home. The only downside is the yield, it was OK but the Aron Pilot are much more abundant. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've not tried my Nadine yet but they're next.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, if anyone would care to share their recommendations for floury tasting early potatoes with a high yield, I'd love to hear them. </div><div><br /></div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-80452827360314688032011-07-13T10:58:00.007+01:002011-07-13T12:08:13.198+01:00The Good Life gets closer!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7d5qoTeWVVgdma_ZqlW4tERN4Qb2Kp7hGSTXMD0SZWy3HpwE5sOGK1gbnNKt8L3MVjbNC5dPrhjK3XkP_b_ehmeu8c2aeijNAEZtKvegr5g5Aqy8j09xiorMojXV6kMGheF3bqKKcZE/s1600/pallets3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7d5qoTeWVVgdma_ZqlW4tERN4Qb2Kp7hGSTXMD0SZWy3HpwE5sOGK1gbnNKt8L3MVjbNC5dPrhjK3XkP_b_ehmeu8c2aeijNAEZtKvegr5g5Aqy8j09xiorMojXV6kMGheF3bqKKcZE/s320/pallets3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628790465979624658" /></a><br /><div>Our goal of expanding the Norfolk Kitchen empire into livestock by raising our own rare breed piggies in a local woodland is moving closer to reality.</div><div><br /></div>You may remember back in <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/04/purple-sprouting-to-piggies.html">April</a> I talked about my involvement with <a href="http://disscommunityfarm.wordpress.com/">Diss Community Farm.</a> It's a community project a group of us have put together, initially in the hope of opening a community run farm next year. Things moved quicker than we anticipated though as we were offered 2 small plots of land, one for a vegetable growing pilot project and one for a pork raising pilot. I'm not personally involved with the vegetable project as I'm pretty much set up for my veggie needs with my allotments but I'm throwing my full enthusiasm behind the livestock project. <div><br /></div><div>We've now formally launched the piggy project, we have about 16 people signed up to pay for the meat and to help look after the pigs. The big news is that we've secured a grant from a local company which will pay for our set up costs of things like fencing, pig arcs, feed bins etc This means that it's all systems go on the shopping front and we have a few days of hard work in front of us to get materials on site and to build the fences. (the photo is one of our members carrying one of about 60 pallets to the woods to be re-cycled as fencing)</div><div><br /></div><div>It's really exciting to be actually moving forward at last. The land we're using is a small woodland of about 2.5 acres bordered by the River Waveney on one side, so it's a fantastic natural environment for the pigs and for small children too! The girls love playing in the woods, climbing trees and splashing in the river. I have to admit that buying into this kind of lifestyle for the children has been a major factor in my motivation for being involved in this project (that and making my own sausages and bacon) I'm really looking forward to a long, hot summer of visiting the pigs and playing in the woods.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way, if you're interested in what we're doing, we're having an <a href="http://disscommunityfarm.wordpress.com/events/">open day </a>at the vegetable growing pilot on Sunday.</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-84660415826997476572011-07-07T11:35:00.004+01:002011-07-07T12:07:37.555+01:00"The time has come" the gardener said,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeztzEcWWKXJD8keu_mbdP7qPqK7RGoDv8cmTJr2slCnfHJHB-EYOAxBriIcXpYQb5cirUw-zmxE8RWWKxazGs959c_gIsZGYvL27tTPs9T7jUyjyxxZL6JziwvDcgNYB_swy2o1z8ug/s1600/mixedsquash.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeztzEcWWKXJD8keu_mbdP7qPqK7RGoDv8cmTJr2slCnfHJHB-EYOAxBriIcXpYQb5cirUw-zmxE8RWWKxazGs959c_gIsZGYvL27tTPs9T7jUyjyxxZL6JziwvDcgNYB_swy2o1z8ug/s320/mixedsquash.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626565386421525282" /></a><br /><div>"to talk of many things, of sheds and hoes and summer squash, of cabbages in spring" (with apologies to Lewis Carol)<div><br /></div><div>I got a phone call last night from the secretary of the allotment association at our new Diss plot. We're not allowed our own sheds down there but instead have to rent one of the block of Council built sheds for the princely sum of £2 per year. The only trouble is that since the plots were divided in half there are half as many sheds as plots so there's a waiting list to get a shed. I've been waiting since I took on the plot in October and the phone call last night let me know I'd finally got to the top of the list so the upshot is - I have a shed!</div><div><br /></div><div>This morning I went to investigate and transfer numerous things from our garage to the shed - including my treasured wheel hoe. It's much more convenient to keep it on site but I am a bit nervous about security, I'd be very upset if it was stolen. Not so much for the monetary value but the difficulty of getting hold of a replacement.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I may not be cabbage looking but the purple sprouting broccoli certainly is. I bought a tray of seedlings from a car boot sale a couple of months ago, planted 5 of them, 4 have come up as broccoli but one has turned into a cabbage! Quite what my fellow allotmenteers make of me growing a single cabbage I don't know. Probably not as much as me growing enough summer squash to feed an army.</div><div><br /></div><div>Talking of which - one of my growing goals this year was a basket of mixed summer squash and today I achieved it. I picked my first Patty Pan squash, aren't they amazing? I've not grown them before and I think I may have let these ones grow too big. I was waiting for them to turn snowy white like the picture on the seed packet but they're stayed vaguely green tinged, I'll probably pick them smaller in future. But look, Patty Pan squash, yellow courgettes and stripy courgettes, crook neck squash to come in the near future. This is why I have an allotment, you can't buy a basket like that in Tesco - I've got mixed tomatoes in my sights for next year.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7efTfhmDpFqiwwfybvq725xJfFt9GpskW0qFISpFCW6V0trx63YazzztnlGCc8dd0bIHz-Twi0r55KqRyZh8oSYRqwrvUBOlck8IbYA6AifW_KuDjUsccmPyl1oQJrijFf_rJ2QD4F7M/s1600/pattypan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7efTfhmDpFqiwwfybvq725xJfFt9GpskW0qFISpFCW6V0trx63YazzztnlGCc8dd0bIHz-Twi0r55KqRyZh8oSYRqwrvUBOlck8IbYA6AifW_KuDjUsccmPyl1oQJrijFf_rJ2QD4F7M/s200/pattypan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626564667246643682" /></a>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-53800865104599723772011-07-04T11:25:00.006+01:002011-07-04T12:17:47.702+01:00Drink your own Garden!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VPWbLx97ER_aSsd58J0JZBEJV_qk990UloWg4XIfKPogrQEj7jjKw74AiDBS14TMVFoPeASzgyOELMk0M-URZ-9kobzmH3__g5e3n8SEoNoZ2bIVAbX5vew9npYmjDkX2dqawXEwIp4/s1600/mirabelle+wine.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VPWbLx97ER_aSsd58J0JZBEJV_qk990UloWg4XIfKPogrQEj7jjKw74AiDBS14TMVFoPeASzgyOELMk0M-URZ-9kobzmH3__g5e3n8SEoNoZ2bIVAbX5vew9npYmjDkX2dqawXEwIp4/s320/mirabelle+wine.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625450435443293394" /></a><br /><div>Just a brief post to admire the colour of the Yellow Bullace wine Adam made last year, although it's not as beautiful as I remember thinking it was after drinking half a glass last night. It's really not bad for home brew especially considering Adam's 'chuck it in the bucket and see what happens' approach to winemaking. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm consulting the splendidly named charity shop find 'Drink your own Garden' for further wine making ideas although it talks about stuff like Camden tablets (for attracting Goths?) and wine nutrient. We've only ever bought sugar and yeast to add to the wild fruit/nettles/elderflowers we use and haven't died yet, although I am a bit reluctant to drink last year's batch of cider as it's a bit too sweet.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure I'd want to drink our garden anyway what with all the chicken poo, I'm thinking I may drink the hedgerow though. Elderberry and blackberry wine for Autumn evenings 2012 I think.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY3GYqwquveY9BQVdgVi4Hsifs7UqPQLItDOh6zP6JKpcsRYo5CfpKXw3Ceqo5l1bR9cDcoOZAg2ac1v_9ZJMkE80di1fBJXD3KfJDo-TQkSMeZFRj8VbZ1FprrhEWxKzZEtdFCar_X4/s1600/drinkyourowngarden.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFY3GYqwquveY9BQVdgVi4Hsifs7UqPQLItDOh6zP6JKpcsRYo5CfpKXw3Ceqo5l1bR9cDcoOZAg2ac1v_9ZJMkE80di1fBJXD3KfJDo-TQkSMeZFRj8VbZ1FprrhEWxKzZEtdFCar_X4/s200/drinkyourowngarden.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625448690309114178" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-39870433274776408472011-07-02T15:37:00.006+01:002011-07-03T06:07:54.213+01:00The Wheeled Push Hoe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCRdgnGjfp9g1S7GWGPAVoiGG8NuSs-trYz89lo7XEk_4_e8_k10gOlaWzqKD97Lz2IFlYSx9NFccVzmYkk__fX8sFz7hgL2mQItRoVkVL66kjlD3LBlpc3QtIqKAh_WJ7pZCRJXeGl4/s1600/pushhoe.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCRdgnGjfp9g1S7GWGPAVoiGG8NuSs-trYz89lo7XEk_4_e8_k10gOlaWzqKD97Lz2IFlYSx9NFccVzmYkk__fX8sFz7hgL2mQItRoVkVL66kjlD3LBlpc3QtIqKAh_WJ7pZCRJXeGl4/s320/pushhoe.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624765899753697794" /></a><br /><div>A few weeks ago I went on a <a href="http://disscommunityfarm.wordpress.com/">Diss Community Farm</a> visit to <a href="http://www.the-oak-tree.co.uk/">Oak Tree</a> Low Carbon Farm in Ipswich and there I made the discovery which could change the course of my allotment career!</div><div><br /></div><div>Joanne at Oak Tree showed us her wheeled push hoe. This is basically a wheel on a stick which pulls a loop of sharpened metal just under the surface of the soil, thereby chopping the green tops off the weeds and aerating the soil in the process. (The photo at the bottom gives a back view of the blade.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Once the rains started back home and our Diss plot filled up with tiny annual weed seedlings I realised that we had the ideal conditions for this bit of kit. The downside is that they're expensive, the one Joanne had was about £400 so I was delighted to find an <a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250840946033&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_736wt_1139">Ebay shop</a> selling them for £65 delivered.</div><div><br /></div><div>It arrived yesterday and today I took it for a test drive. I love the look of it, like it's come virtually unchanged from the 19th Century. I had been a bit concerned that it might be <i>too</i> cheap and a bit flimsy but it's certainly sturdy enough for keeping on top of an allotment sized piece of land. The conditions at Diss are perfect for the wheel hoe, the soil is light and free flowing and there aren't any large perennial weeds with thick stems. It was really easy to use, the blade slipped through the soil like butter, decimating the weed population in it's path.</div><div><br /></div><div>It comes with blades in 3 widths, I used the narrowest to enable me to get between rows of plants without disturbing them. It also has a pointy attachment which I assume is a tiller for making seed drills or earthing up potatoes etc this should be great for turning the soil over at the end of the season in preparation for over winter manuring. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think the nature of the soil is probably key to the success of this hoe. I'm not sure how good it would be on heavy, clay soil like Bressingham. Certainly there's no way it could've smashed through during the dry spell but I may take it after some rain when the soil's soft and see how we get on. Likewise, even the light Diss soil may be too much after the rain when it's stickier. </div><div><br /></div><div>But all in all, this is a fabulous tool for the allotmenteer and I'm mystified as to why they're not on the shelves of every garden centre in the land. Particularly at this price, they bridge the gap between a hand hoe and a rotavator nicely. I think this and the push mower at Bressingham are going to be the items that make my 2 allotments manageable. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vutrdPpftPbjtwZTi0ZDdOSY3rJu49L3zUEeliczssY_buGix03dvx8UI1xW74deg24-8hFiaffM68UvFpR0IvnDyiNTZHn2OWfNeSZGhQ-b8eZG7o5_m-an0oVklfCLfr0vuyvOSl8/s1600/pushhoe2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vutrdPpftPbjtwZTi0ZDdOSY3rJu49L3zUEeliczssY_buGix03dvx8UI1xW74deg24-8hFiaffM68UvFpR0IvnDyiNTZHn2OWfNeSZGhQ-b8eZG7o5_m-an0oVklfCLfr0vuyvOSl8/s320/pushhoe2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624765030755606434" /></a>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-54399893119674231032011-07-02T08:35:00.003+01:002011-07-02T09:16:39.407+01:00This year's tomatoes.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1dZE4vQfzqzBlqFzGORc79XOn46NJ0-GZXZQRanf-5G5y2s_cflUZTgI4-3CjqhrhDaeUotl4NzTBS2MkHGj54wUTO6iqzIFKpd3wqZ3Bwytjy9K8NdrlR9Ox4XGeZtsUZsSYj3u9MQ/s1600/greentomatoes.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1dZE4vQfzqzBlqFzGORc79XOn46NJ0-GZXZQRanf-5G5y2s_cflUZTgI4-3CjqhrhDaeUotl4NzTBS2MkHGj54wUTO6iqzIFKpd3wqZ3Bwytjy9K8NdrlR9Ox4XGeZtsUZsSYj3u9MQ/s320/greentomatoes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624656767911824674" /></a>2011 is the year I actually pay attention to my tomatoes. For the last 3 years or so I've bought a few garden centre plants, put the Gardener's Delight in the mini greenhouse and the Tumbling Toms in hanging baskets, watered them but little else. <div><br /></div><div><div>A friend of mine called round last summer and expressed loud dismay at the state of my greenhouse whose plastic seams were creaking with the effort of containing plants of Little Shop of Horrors proportions. I did have a decent yield of tomatoes, enough to use fresh plus home made ketchup and green tomato chutney, but the tomatoes were all tiny and I'm greedy so if I can get more bang for my buck then so be it. </div><div><br /></div><div>This year I have decided to pinch out in the approved way in the hope of getting bigger tomatoes. I'm finding all the greenhouse fiddling a bit tedious to be honest and the blasted things insist on growing every 5 minutes, it's housework outdoors really. I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it considering I had enough last year but we'll see. Maybe next year I should stick to bushy varieties and leave them to their own devices. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also a bit worried about a couple of plants who seem to be yellowing excessively. I know it's usual to yellow around the bottom but it's usually later in the season and this time only a couple of plants are affected. As far as I can tell they're adequately watered and fed. One of the plants in question is pictured below so any opinions on the cause will be gratefully received. </div><div><br /></div><div>My tomato Holy Grail is a tomato salad like the one Jamie Oliver made in his 'At Home' series which featured loads of different types of tomatoes, yellow, green, stripy, purple etc etc. I've hopefully gone some way towards it this year, I've got Gardener's Delight (seeds free from Mumsnet!), Mr Stripy (bought seeds), Tumbling Toms (bought seeds), Roma (plants donated by a friend) and hopefully some yellow ones (plants donated by another friend who thinks she may have got her seedlings mixed up) </div><div><br /></div><div>Ideally, if I had, say, 9 plants, I'd like them to be 9 different varieties. The problem with this is that I'd have to buy 9 packs of seed as I wouldn't get 9 varieties of plants in my local garden centres. From the 9 packs of seeds I'd only use a few then what would happen to the rest? Would they keep long enough to use the next year? Or would they go to waste? This is all starting to look a bit expensive too ....</div><div><br /></div><div>But look what I found yesterday! Packets of <a href="http://www.jungleseeds.co.uk/SeedOrders/contents/en-uk/d48.html">mixed seeds</a>! With a picture looking like Jamie's salad! Now if only I could find courgettes packed in the same way, I'd be a happy bunny!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyB2qggFujeOE7dpZdXYKJHwuNVpeDqogIEAmmsHu24UJ_1n2vdf6VxwdS_tR8wVqoNJKPSHcIT4njdSc_HdQNk31RsHdjKNkSo2MmAoccvKkUvxQeC1-nnmQm6TQ83xR7zySLGrmT1o/s1600/yellowtoms.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyB2qggFujeOE7dpZdXYKJHwuNVpeDqogIEAmmsHu24UJ_1n2vdf6VxwdS_tR8wVqoNJKPSHcIT4njdSc_HdQNk31RsHdjKNkSo2MmAoccvKkUvxQeC1-nnmQm6TQ83xR7zySLGrmT1o/s200/yellowtoms.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624656008760699570" /></a><br /></div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-66103147227750097332011-06-29T11:57:00.004+01:002011-06-29T12:09:32.704+01:00Normal for Norfolk is ....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkTHq24jNyk_qcV6Z6U5zikCbkGcVSeIm9pcp-ZsbJcFvOdpdFfTErG0tNnaejOFyJLtCKIBLcI21ValIAJhSDwiFCCbB5dQvybc51-Ql-GqZwfJlZWLMullQjxI86ldLTRk9GCv2ohg/s1600/trafficjam.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOkTHq24jNyk_qcV6Z6U5zikCbkGcVSeIm9pcp-ZsbJcFvOdpdFfTErG0tNnaejOFyJLtCKIBLcI21ValIAJhSDwiFCCbB5dQvybc51-Ql-GqZwfJlZWLMullQjxI86ldLTRk9GCv2ohg/s320/trafficjam.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623596655226309650" /></a><br />.... being held up on the nursery run by a tractor convoy (pictured)<div><br /></div><div>.... going to the pub and coming home with a <a href="http://norfolkkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/06/only-in-norfolk.html">courgette in your pocket</a></div><div><br /></div><div>.... attempting to drive around a man in a bee keeping outfit on a tricycle towing a trailer loaded with 3 bee hives</div><div><br /></div><div>.... popping to the shop and there's a tractor with two wheels on the pavement outside</div><div><br /></div><div>.... waking up to find a gypsy horse on the front lawn</div><div><br /></div><div>..... carefully avoiding driving over a turkey strolling across the road </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the point where someone normally comments along the lines of "That's nothing, in Devon the chickens actually run the Post Office" or somesuch (if that's not the sound of a gauntlet hitting the ground I don't know what is!)</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-10096919735898262712011-06-28T09:48:00.004+01:002011-06-28T11:29:49.905+01:00On the Value of Neighbours.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusfQblKohyR4I84LNYOetahWRC-XEcoPe_AO69rDv6crCIkg_LH7r24d16MHuEMKAIJNLOVLhEOpiuHcF7nKgqCOcY1OXkWGTXjUULWWSzZVA8TRsdSUv6KDn48VjmBYcSBzfyk9drIk/s1600/escapedchickens.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusfQblKohyR4I84LNYOetahWRC-XEcoPe_AO69rDv6crCIkg_LH7r24d16MHuEMKAIJNLOVLhEOpiuHcF7nKgqCOcY1OXkWGTXjUULWWSzZVA8TRsdSUv6KDn48VjmBYcSBzfyk9drIk/s320/escapedchickens.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623215895911976930" /></a><br />Life with 5 chickens agrees with us. Currently we're getting 5 eggs per day which is a nice amount, enough for all our egg eating/cake baking needs with some left over for random gifts for friends and neighbours - which is just as well given the latest developments. <div><br /></div><div>The hens live in 2 coops in the back garden and they free range in the front garden. We do have a persistent escape problem though. Our Omlet chicken proof fence is anything but, not only can the chooks stroll through the squares in the fence at will but they can hop over it in one leap. Next door's large shrubs are a magnetic draw for them providing the ideal foraging/perching/dust bathing environment. Once they get bored in our garden, they vault the fence into next door's chicken paradise. </div><div><br /></div><div>To date, we've been able to bring them back with a shake of the sunflower seed jar, as soon as they hear that they come thundering back down the path in anticipation of a tasty snack.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until yesterday that is ......</div><div><br /></div><div>One ex-batt stubbornly fixed me with a beady stare and hunkered down into the dust in a defiant fashion. Have you ever tried to out-wit a chicken inside a thick hedge? It's depressingly difficult but after some scratches and swearing I managed to bring her home.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have lovely, lovely neighbours who claim to be charmed by the persistent dust bath holes under the shrubs and scratched up flower beds ("They do a good job of raking the weeds out!"). They say they appreciate the softly clucking company as they weed and mow their garden. Personally I think they're taking 'polite' to a whole new level but nonetheless, I'm very grateful for their relaxed attitude. I'm giving them our excess eggs as a thank you, if they're having the disadvantages of chicken ownership they may as well share in the benefits too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now listen up chooks - if you want to keep your free ranging rights you really are going to have to consider the neighbours and come back when you're called, I think you've pushed them far enough!</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295421286576646745.post-19656195934992115372011-06-27T14:00:00.005+01:002011-06-27T14:35:11.033+01:00What's this I've found?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHzF0IxAAVO212JpOxGOqC2WBivnJIRdL5A78e-wbzkDii1E10bWvpkjU-UxkQSHurTwKH7pqYge-t1iYeDLit8pTUD9AOjAeSReSp7B4gvhU1AkikWelSxy9KR87Kg0B-rNq0HUY0fg/s1600/mysteryflower.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHzF0IxAAVO212JpOxGOqC2WBivnJIRdL5A78e-wbzkDii1E10bWvpkjU-UxkQSHurTwKH7pqYge-t1iYeDLit8pTUD9AOjAeSReSp7B4gvhU1AkikWelSxy9KR87Kg0B-rNq0HUY0fg/s320/mysteryflower.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622889080533508962" /></a><br />My word but it's sweltery today. I gave myself the day off from mowing at Bressingham as it's a tough job with an old push lawn mower at the best of times, let alone when it's 30 degrees. While I was inspecting the raspberries I found this plant hidden among the canes. I'd love to identify it so if anyone could help, that would be fantastic. <div><br /></div><div>A bit of back ground about the plot which may help with identification; the land began to be used as an allotment site about 100 years ago but had fallen out of use since the 1990's and been left uncultivated since then. Last year was the first year it has been re-used as allotments although we were delayed in getting on the land as some possibly rare wild flowers were discovered, although I don't know what type. They were inspected and declared not rare and we were subsequently allowed on site. </div><div><br /></div><div>Personally, I think it looks a bit orchid like but I know next to nothing about flowers so am unlikely to be right I think! Failing that, I'd like it to be some sort of historic meadow plant with an exotic name. Toadflax (suggested by Cheeky Spouse on Twitter) is heading in the right direction. I'm rather disappointed that I don't have 'Creeping Ladies Tresses' which I found on an orchid site. Not sure if it's the ladies or their tresses that do the creeping though.</div><div><br /></div><div>*Update* I've been Googling and I now don't think it is an orchid, the leaves are wrong. Am bitterly disappointed that it's not sneezwort either. </div><div><br /></div><div>On a massively un-related note, I discovered cooked radishes at the weekend and they're unexpectedly delicious. I used <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/may/29/nigel-slater-asparagus-radishes">this Riverford recipe</a>, amazing, it gives radishes a whole new lease of life away from the salad bowl. It's inspired me to go and plant not only more radishes but some small turnips too. </div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05534626082405777284noreply@blogger.com2