Here and There

Sunshine continues to dictate my daily programme. A field walk was definitely indicated, with the excuse that I wanted to see how our crop of spring-sown field beans was coming on in the Eastwood. This is a first time crop for us and has been sown in order to comply with the current obligation to sow a third crop as part of the greening scheme. The beans are coming through well, though, dare I say it, a little rain would be welcome to speed up growth. Rapid growth helps to reduce damage from insects and also from pigeons. Sometimes it is hard to decide what affects farming to the greatest extent - weather, prices or politics. As we can’t change any of them we just have to get on with it.

By now the hedges are awash with blossom, much of it blackthorn which bodes well for those who like to pick sloes in the autumn to make sloe gin. The blossom appears before the leaves so it makes a spectacular show. However, handle it with care as a thorn in the finger can lead to a very nasty septic infection. The wild cherry on the edge of the dumble is at its best now while the ground is carpeted with bluebells, celandines and wood anemones where I also saw several species of bumble bee, a peacock, a large tortoiseshell and an orange tipped white butterfly. As a general observation I was reminded of the old saying, “Ash before oak, we’re in for a soak, oak before ash, we’re in for a splash”. From what I have seen this should be a “splash” year. We shall just have to wait and see.

I gave myself a day off earlier this week. If gardens are your thing, I would warmly recommend Trentham Gardens, near Stoke-on-Trent, for a day out. The gardens are extensive, well laid out and with brief information panels in the various flower beds and points of interest. I hope to visit again at different times of the year. I should also mention that, for those whose interest in plants is limited the range and quality of shops in the retail centre provide a pleasant alternative attraction.
In my own garden the friendly robin was quick to spot me planting potatoes and wasted no time pouncing on the worms I dug up. I felt a bit sorry about the worms; after all, they are a sign that the soil is healthy. I suppose that, with the dry weather they have gone a bit deeper and are harder to find, but Robin was clearly hungry, so I could not really begrudge him his gourmet dinner.

Food Miles

The season for wild garlic is upon us.  Not only does this plant make a delicious (and fashionable) soup, but it is an indication of the antiquity of the woodland in which it grows.  Here on the farm I pick it in the dumble which, at this time of year, is carpeted in bluebells, celandines and wood anemones.  Now, if you don’t live in Nottinghamshire you may not know that a dumble is a strip of woodland with steep-sided banks and a stream running through the middle.  One of my favourite walks bounders the north of the 40-acre - whose correct name, by the way, is West Brockwood – but fields are often referred to by their acreage rather than by their historic names, as is the case here.  If I am lucky the wild cherry will also be in blossom; that is a sight I look forward to every year.

In Epperstone plans continue apace for the SummerFestival to be held on June 14th.  New this year will be an exhibition, Paintings at Pantiles, displaying the work of local and village resident artists.  In fact, the village is not short of artistic talent.  A tapestry depicting the parish hangs in the foyer of the village hall.  This was produced by a group of village ladies, masterminded by a talented and very competent resident, as yet another souvenir of the Millennium.  The detail is faultless, and provides an interesting historical record of the dwellings in place at the time.

How about this for food miles?  Another sunny day and I could no longer resist collecting a bagful of the above wild garlic, so here is the soup recipe.

Wild Garlic Soup   

50g butter, 1 onion thinly slice, 1 potato peeled and chopped into 1cm cubes, 250g wild garlic leaves, 1 litre chicken stock, 150ml double cream.

Method

Melt the butter in a large pan.  Add the onion and fry till soft but not coloured.  Add the potato and chicken stock, cover pan and simmer till potatoes are cooked.  Add the garlic leaves and stir for 1 minute until wilted.  Use a stick blender to blend the soup until smooth then pass it through a fine sieve (that is the hardest bit).  Reheat, stir in the cream and enjoy.  I did.

16/4/15

More signs of spring plus some Food News

The swallows have arrived.  I could not believe my eyes but I was right.  Correct me if I am wrong but isn’t it rather early for them?  I would have expected them late April or early May round here.  Do they know something we do not know?
A few days of sunshine and warm weather make such a difference.  The hedges are greening up and providing cover for the birds preparing their nests. The water is warming up, too.  When I went down to the fishpond the other evening I heard such a noise I thought it was ducks quacking.  However, when I got there I could see a lot of movement in the water and long streamers of spawn from an influx of toads at the water’s edge.  Interestingly they started in the shallow water on the west side and are working their way round, clockwise.  I wonder if they do that so that when the eggs hatch all the tadpoles are spread over a larger feeding area.  Next I shall be looking for the clumps of spawn that the frogs produce.  Somehow the novelty of spring never seems to wear off.

Talking of spring, delicate investigation of the leaf mound revealed that Herbie Hedgehog has come out of hibernation.  I imagine he made off in the night; I am glad he survived the winter.

Whilst possibly not the epicentre of all things foodie the East Midlands is host to many food fairs and competitions.  Next up is the British Pie Awards event taking place in Melton Mowbray on Wednesday, April 22^nd.  Although this event is not, as yet, designed to receive the public there has been so much interest in it that I am told a Pie Festival is on the cards for next year when “try before you buy” will be the order of the day.  I am also proud to say that one of the knowledgeable judges, Diane Hickling, like myself, is a Farm Stay UK member and member of the Sherwood Forest group so I shall be expecting a first- hand update on this in due course.

Next up will be the Melton Mowbray Artisan Cheese Fair, in May, but more of this later.

Mostly local

After a relatively dry March wet and windy seemed to be the order of the day.  Pear blossom in bud littered the ground and a hawthorn tree fell victim to the high wind.  The water level in the pond is quite high, but the water temperature needs to rise a little before we find frog and toad spawn.  The same goes for Herbie, the hedgehog, hibernating (you’ve guessed it) in the herb garden.  I hope he is not tempted out too soon but I really want to know if he has survived the winter.

Judging by the noise in the evening the owl population is thriving.  I follow the sound and look for them but, like the pantomime character, it is always a case of “he’s behind you”, and I have not yet spotted one.  A family member has been more fortunate, though, and regularly sees a barn owl.  I shall have to be more enterprising and vary the evening dog-walk in the hope of seeing it too.

Bourne Wood, on the edge of Epperstone Playing Field is looking good after a tidy-up by members of the Woodborough Scout group.  Some of the dead trees have been replaced by new plantings,

an area has been extended to include a group of willows and bat boxes and nest boxes have been put up. Bourne Wood was originally planted to celebrate the Millenium in the year 2000 and was composed of trees to represent each child in the village.  It also includes trees planted in memory of village residents and special events.

I have just seen the results of the Farmland Bird Count published last week.  Nine hundred and fifty people took part and one hundred and twenty seven species were recorded.  An increased number  of species was spotted including several on the red (i.e. endangered species) list. 

Closer to home: Harry, the self-propelled lawnmower, has gone out on loan, due to the impending absence of his owner.  He will be much missed but as he  will now have a field companion he will be happy.

7/4/15

       

Easter Week

Evensong on Palm Sunday in Holy Cross Church, Epperstone was enhanced by poetry, bible readings anthems sung by the choir and scenes performed by parishioners from the parishes of Epperstone, Woodborough and Calverton.  As considerable effort had gone into the production it was rewarding to see that it attracted a sizeable congregation.

Thinking ahead to Good Friday I thought you might like my recipe for Hot Cross Buns.  The history of these buns goes back a very long way, possibly to the sacred bread, or “boun”, offered to the gods.  Reputed never to go mouldy it was the tradition to keep one bun each year as a protection against evil.  Well, I have one from last year but as I kept it in the deepfreezer I am not sure if that counts! Anyway, here is the recipe, which I make up every year, making sufficient for my family and any guests who may be staying in The Mews on Good Friday. 

Hot Cross Buns  -  makes 12 buns  

250 grms plain flour, 250grms strong plain flour, 15grms fresh yeast, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1teaspoon cinnamon or mixed spice, 200mls tepid milk, 60grms butter, 60grms castor sugar, 30grms candied peel, 120grms currants or sultanas, 1 large egg, 1tablespoon sugar for glazing, 1 tablespoon of milk.

Method  

Mix together flours, salt and spice.  Rub in the butter, add fruit, peel and sugar.  Mix together beaten egg, milk and yeast, pour into flour, mix and knead to a soft dough.  Cover and leave to rise until double in size.  Knead again lightly, cut into 12 pieces, shape into bun.  Cut a cross into the top, place on a greased baking sheet to rise for 10 minutes.  Dissolve sugar in milk for the glaze, brush over buns, and bake in hot oven for 15 minutes.  (190C or 170C fan oven).

Good luck.  Let me know how you get on!