Forest Lessons

Delamere Forest meaning Forest of the Lakes (due to its lakes formed by glacial kettle holes) used to be the Medieval forests of Mara and Mondrem. A vast hunting forest back in the 11th Century of 60 square miles. As we walked around our 1.7 mile loop through woodland it is not hard to imagine the wild boar and wolves that would have ran with the red, fallow and red deer through the dense trees and bracken. Historical records show that James I hunted here in 1617 but it was a hunting ground from way back in Norman England. Makes it feel a little spooky as to who is watching you?Of course the forest is much, much smaller these days and was gradually cleared until the current size of 2400 acres. The Mid-Cheshire railway line runs through the forest and the Delamere train station is lovely with a quaint cafe. In fact we must take Little Bird on the train to the forest one day and hopefully he will love it. There is even a music train that runs every so often and you can listen to a band playing in the carriages and then takes you to a country pub where the band then continues to play. Sounds good doesn't it? LB has a great time walking this trail. We find forest items for the nature table at home and stop off halfway at the picnic benches for a snack and a drink. There are some horses that we wave hello to every time. We would love to know their names.  Hello Cyril and Cuthbert. Nice coats gents. Very coordinated with your scenery.

I found this funny fungus on our walk. If I have identified it correctly, it is the Common Puffball and the hole you see is where - !poof!- the spores are released.Two very happy waggy tails, although one is a little stumpy looking. It tries to wag anyway but perhaps it is more of a waft.
The best thing about the forest is that we can learn so much, from the history to the geography of the land. I studied the forest here when I worked in conservation and look forward to revisiting all that again. I can bore you all plenty with types of moss and the art of catching damselflies (just to identify). I'll save you this time as now it is time for home and some home made pie....

hello hello spring

I know it hasn't officially but the garden is telling me different and the fact that I've hung the washing out to dry on the clear, bright days we have been having. As far as I'm concerned spring is here. I can see it in the purple crocus, open for the sun's rays.
 I can hear it in the neighbourhood with people out of their houses more, with my neighbour starting to tinker in his garage again and the cats teasing my two dogs by basking on our sunny window sill. Beautiful blue skies with little wispy clouds. Breezing spring into every nook and cranny.The promise of flowers to come. Here are tulips mixed in with forget-me-nots I planted in a old kitchen cooking pot from a car boot sale - and how I am longing to start going to them again. I spy the weeds too mingling in this planter! The first daffodils are the dainty Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête' which look such a gorgeous colour combination with the purple swathes of crocus and their bright orange centres. The start of spring and the start of pottering around. A daily ritual of seeing what changes there have been and making a mental note of what needs doing. Pulling the odd weed here and there along with last years old plant material. I used a large bunch of collected twigs as kindling and started weeding here and there.  Bursting buds on the cherry tree that I won. Looking forward to seeing the pink blossoms in a few weeks. I have a few small blossom trees in the garden from shocking bright pinks to delicate frothy whites. I love them all and they all have slightly different flowering times so from week to week I gaze out of the windows and take it all in.
 My boar is now securely up and has already received a comment from the neighbour. I found a little bee in his mouth the other day taking shelter so he is good for wildlife too. Hooray Mr Boar.The fences have been fixed, just about! But they will do for now until the next storm. I did enjoy seeing my neighbours pretty garden but at least the dogs can't escape now. Over the next month we are going to sort the garden pathway out and set the stepping stones into gravel so it is not a muddy mess. A trip to the plant nursery is on the cards for some cottage garden plants and some primroses for the window boxes. it will be exciting to get all the outdoor toys out again and  to sit on the decking in some sunshine. 

Egg Tatties

Another egg recipe to use all my dad's eggs that he gives us. I love searching through old recipe books and this gave me an idea for a filling weekday meal for all the family using eggs - Egg Tatties. 

You will need - 2 large potatoes, 3 free range eggs, 1tbsp milk, 1tbsp butter, seasoning, cheese.

Bake the potatoes. I do this by cooking in the microwave first for about 8 minutes and then transfer to an oven at about 200 C/ Gas Mark 6 to crisp up for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile whisk the eggs in a bowl, add the milk and seasoning. Pop in the microwave to cook - takes a few minutes to firm up into scrambled eggs.
 Take the potatoes out of the oven and cut in half length ways. Scoop out the potato and add to the bowl of scrambled egg. Add the butter and mash up together.

Place the mixture back into the potatoes and top with grated cheese. Place back into the oven until the cheese melts and goes all lovely and golden. Seriously yummy and filled everyone up.


This post is an entry for the #ShortcutEggsperts Linky Challenge sponsored by British Lion Eggs. Learn more and find recipes at www.eggrecipes.co.ukhttp://www.eggrecipes.co.uk/

Eggs Provencal recipe

We are lucky in that we have a free and plentiful supply of eggs courtesy of my father's chickens who live a very happy and pampered life. My dad loves his chickens and is always cleaning their huge pen, checking them over and having a little chat with them. We are very grateful for all the eggs we receive and like to think of new recipes to make with them. 

One that I like to make myself for a quick dinner or the whole family is my version of Eggs Provencal.

Fry some crushed garlic cloves, chopped onions, mushrooms, red peppers and a handful of cherry tomatoes in a little vegetable oil for a few minutes.  Sprinkle with some Tabasco Sauce for a bit of oomph! Pour mixture into little baking dishes, I use these little brown dishes that I picked up in a charity shop - they have been so useful. Make a hollow in the mixture and crack an egg into it. I crack them into a ramekin first just in case I get any egg shell in it. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top. Season and add some dried basil or oregano. 

Place into the oven until the egg sets and the cheese has melted.

A very quick individual meal, serve with a little salad or some crusty bread. 

This post is an entry for the #ShortcutEggsperts Linky Challenge sponsored by British Lion Eggs. Learn more and find recipes at www.eggrecipes.co.uk

The lucky 2 pence tree stump

We visited the country park for a walk with our two dogs again. They are loving all these extra walks and meeting new friends although they were very surprised to see a gathering of bull dogs. Lots of them, making their snuffly, grunty noises stumping around in their cute, stocky way. 

Our terrier lurched towards them as he often does with other dogs, eager to have a sniff to say hello. I know we don't know for sure but I like to think that these are all new experiences for him having come from a city pet rescue centre. He is certainly a happy little fella now.

Plenty of muddy puddle splashing and also some pebble throwing into the woodland ponds. A new feat for Little Bird, throw....plop....throw....plop. Picking up stones and sticks, an over arm throw and squealing as the ripples move across the water surface. Taking turns with daddy and trying his best to throw as far into the water as he could. 

Little signs of spring have started to peak through the woodland floor. Spears of green leaves curled at the edges and buds on little branches. I'm ready for it now, are you? I've had such a long, long winter and cannot wait to feel some sunshine on my head. I asked the lucky 2 pence tree stump as we walked past for a lovely warm spring to be on its way.