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People keep bringing me fruit! Today is another kind of apple and bramble tart. I've added a kiwifruit for a bit of contrast. The pastry was a disaster today and I don't quite know why.
For some, patterns in life are monotonous; for others, they are reassuring.
Porridge, honey, chia seeds.
Today we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first train on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the beginning of the modern railway system.
The first locomotives run in USA were built by the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company.
Cut an over ripe fig in half and place in a ramekin. Give a tiny drizzle of balsamic vinegar and honey. Microwave for less than a minute. Finish with Greek yogurt or crème fraiche.
Such was dessert last night.
If you ever had a factory job, it can be traced back to Richard Arkwright and his mill.
"Richard Arkwright - Wikipedia" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Arkwright
Constance Spry was an inspiration to flower arrangers everywhere for many years. Her style influenced many people, not just florists. You can read about her here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_Spry
But seeing how this plant effortlessly cascades down this stonewall with no human intervention reminds me just how beautiful nature is when it is left alone.
Seen at Williamson Park, Lancaster, used in a footpath.
These bricks are a very hard engineering brick, and were also used in the foundation for Blackpool Tower, and the Empire State Building.
Read more here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accrington_brick
'Accrington' is a great name, and Accrington Stanley is one of my favorite football teams - their history has been chequered but doggedly persistent. A great quality found all over Lancashire!
A former warehouse on Saint George's Quay sports fresh green paint on the woodwork. These buildings now provide offices, housing and workshop space. In this building is a famous harpsichord maker.
Inexplicably one inflorescence has lost all its petals, revealing this interesting scaffolding. A happy accident.
Taking a group photo that looks relatively unposed is not easy when people are the subjects. Flowers tend to have more grace and less vanity.
"What are you going to have for tea tonight?" my friend asked. Salad, I thought. Anchovy toasty, he suggested. And here's the result.
The anchovies were grilled and mixed with cream cheese marinaded in olive oil and pickling brine. The cucumber and carrots were pickled and the salad dressed with some thin mayo. An explosion of flavors.
The obvious bowing or the wall on the right made me smile. How long before it collapses? I have a feeling this building has been abandoned to its fate.
A poem by 19th century English poet, John Clare. He was a farm labourer who saw the countryside through an intense lens. He ended his life in an insane asylum.
There weren't terms to describe his illness then. Modern doctors might describe his behavior as symptomatic of schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. For all of that, he still wrote beautiful poetry until he died.
Here is a kind of grail - a working phone box. It's hideous, but there's a dial tone and it doesn't smell like the inside of a trawlerman's waders.
While most people seem to have a smartphone these days, others either can't afford one or choose not to have one. For them, the public callbox is essential.
This is a KX model phonebox which first appeared in 1985. For trademark reasons, the next model will likely be called the KZ.
Read more, here:
This old photographic shop has closed. Preston or Kendal are the closest places to go for supplies. or take a punt online. The modern way of business I guess.
Today's fortifying breakfast, before I head off on the bus.
In the blender:
Apple
Parsley
Cinnamon
Almonds
Water
Oh, alright then - I followed this up with several long blacks ... it's how I roll =]
A rare sight. This tops out at 28°C so it's a bit warmer than that today. A great morning to dry the laundry.
There's an interesting art trail in Morecambe that will take a few hours to walk around. In this car park are several metal birds which brighten up some very dull tarmac.
Trail details here:
environmentalsculptures.wordpress.com/morecambe-tern-proj...
Cooling the stew in a cold water bath before putting in the fridge.
It's important to cool and refrigerate food within two hours after cooking in order to prevent harmful bacteria growing.
The petals are optional - they do nothing at all, but if I were selling this, I think I could add 10 quid to the asking price =]
Half wholemeal, half white flour, with caraway seeds and torn sage leaves. I added 10% extra water to account for the seeds and leaves.
Some people say they experience a certain kind of healing energy when standing here. These are early mediaeval rock-cut tombs at Heysham. It's thought they were used as reliquaries to hold the bones of the saints. The stone covers and bones are long gone.
Indeed, it is possible to cook one's gnocchi in an air fryer!
My friend suggested I gave it a go - just a guess, really.
Just find a Pyrex dish that fits into the air fryer basket, add some oil, seasoning, herbs and spices, and tumble in the gnocchi and coat well. Then cook for 10 minutes, flip, and then another 10 minutes. They emerge with a crisp 'shell' and beautifully cooked through.
I've been rehearsing this morning and I have to go out again this arvo. It's raining and not so warm outside. It's June in northwest England, so that's normal. A lady said that I must be from eastern Europe as I always have some homemade soup in the fridge, and that's what is for lunch, with some of Lancashire Farm's excellent yoghurt stirred in.
Veggie soup
Yogurt
Someone kindly observed that my potato dish ( flic.kr/p/2qUY3kS ) was like dauphinoise potato but without the cream. And so, 'fauxphinoise potato' is born!
WEll, here's a portion that I re-heated with some smoked bacon and sliced tomato. The brown splodge is A1 Sauce.
Brown sauce is very popular in northern England and Scotland. It is only marketing that has made HP Sauce the market leader (invented in 1899 in Nottingham) whereas the infinitely more palatable A1 Sauce was invented in 1824 by William Brand, chef to King George IV (who knew his food!).
HP Sauce gets its distinctive tang from tamarind paste; A1 sauce has orange puree, among other things. I was lucky enough to procure a bottle yesterday. Huzzah!
Feeling glum? Make a different breakfast.
over-ripe strawbs go for almost nothing but still have great taste. Blend with some Greek yogurt and you've got a glass of happiness.
Celery entirely optional but I thought it looked nice
Today I helped with the catering for a lady's 90th birthday tea. What a fabulous afternoon, full of laughter and smiles all around.
This posy was left on my counter top. What a gorgeous color is that rose!
My camera hasn't caught the real hue of this flower. I'd say IRL it is indigo.
List to Nina Simone explain it here:
Impatiens glandulifera
a plant introduced to England by the Victorian plant hunters as a garden plant. It has now spread all over the country, especially along river banks. The seeds are under tension in the pods, and thus spread a long way, helping to spread this plant quickly.
As pretty as it is, it chokes out the native plants, which has an impact on native insects, and therefore birds. This balsam is interrupting the native food chain. And that's why transporting the seeds or the plant in England is an offense.
On the plus side, one can make an extract from the plant which is used to treat anxiety. And the young leave (quite bitter) and the flowers can be added to a salad.
This example comes from a community meadow that attempts to re-establish English meadow plants.