It was my friend ringing with two others and it was a pleasure to hear the quintessentially English village sound of Sunday bells. She then popped in to say hello and helped us out by taking away runner beans and cucumbers

It was my friend ringing with two others and it was a pleasure to hear the quintessentially English village sound of Sunday bells. She then popped in to say hello and helped us out by taking away runner beans and cucumbers

Once upon a time I cooked meals for guests and they ate them (and seemed to enjoy them or politely said they had). Then we moved to The Gables and catered for larger groups of friends, often for a complete weekend.


An occasional voice would pipe up, “I can’t eat wheat” when they had already arrived and it was impossible to amend the menu so we started to email in advance to ask what food intolerances might be encountered. Mistake! One couldn’t eat onion, another garlic, one was gluten free (except when she fancied a slice of cake!), several were vegan but made exceptions for Gables eggs and goat cheese, another only ate raw food – mostly! A relative gave me a whole list of good she wouldn’t eat because she was on a diet and then ignored them and ate what everyone else was eating. I had to invent special dishes substituting leeks for onions in one soup and making two pots of soup when one should have been sufficient. It’s gotten beyond a joke and, frankly, I don’t believe a lot of what people tell me. I watch!

As the Sabbath has departed I am cooking for a group arriving tomorrow (yes, of course, some have special dietary requirements). I am also watching a YouTube video of the wacky comedian Paul Foot – and laughing






Two days ago I made halloumi and today I’m trying to make a creamy cheese


They are part of the physalis family and not really related to tomatoes

Thursday night is pasta pesto night and I use plenty of garlic, basil, pine nuts, olive oil and salt. Just add cooked spirali pasta and cheese.

I couldn’t resist making more apple strudel using the fabulous pastry recipe given to me last week and some of the Bramleys that we picked on Sunday

Sadly multiple cases of sexual exploitation and abuse have been reported within the WHO (world health organization) in 2019 but the WHO failed to act on these reports.






Sweet corn husks and leaves are treats for Pinky, Domino, Spot and Susie and Surprise




