I struggle to get through a weekend without taking way too many pictures! Whilst I can share some on Instagram, there are a load that don’t make the cut, so I’m going to start posting them here.
Saturday was forecast rain all day, but whilst having our first cuppa of the day, we noticed that it had stopped raining for at least five minutes, so threw on our walking clothes and Bella’s harness, and went for a walk to our next village, Barton-on-the-Heath.
Barton-on-the-Heath is only slightly smaller than our village, but it has a gorgeous, sleepy feel about it. And even on a grey, drizzly day it was absolutely beautiful – full of Cotswold stone houses, luscious green hedgerow, bluebells and plenty of wisteria.
As you may guess, we got caught in the rain, but it was absolutely worth it as we got to see a pair of beautiful bullfinches feeding on our way back. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get any pictures of them because I only had my 50mm, but sometimes, it really is lovely just to stand and watch the nature all around you.
The rest of Saturday was a pretty lazy affair – I did attempt some gardening, but got caught in the rain (again) so that gave me an excuse to spend a couple of hours in the bath!
Sunday we did a bit more – we went over to Broadway, to one of my favourite spots to pick wild garlic. This place is just paradise – how it smells, the bird song, the little streams you have to jump over – it’s really such a special place.
Once we were home and after a few cuppas, I knocked together one of my favourite and easiest cakes – rummy raisin sponge cake. It’s stupidly easy to make – I soaked a handful of raisins in rum overnight, then this morning made a basic sponge recipe (4oz of sugar, organic unsalted butter & flour that I weigh out using a tablespoon, and 2 eggs). Cream the softened butter with the sugar, beat in the eggs and fold in the flour. I then added a teaspoon of mixed spice, gently folded in the raisins, spooned the mixture into the baking tin, top with some flaked almonds and cook on 170C fan for 25 mins. Done!
We also, very excitingly, Dad booked a few days for my Mum’s 60th for our family, so next weekend we’ll essentially be having a holiday! It’ll be our first time away together with my nephew and I cannot wait – shotgun all cuddles and baby kissing duties.
I cooked my fiancé (still not over saying that!) and I, a Spring Sunday lunch that consisted of a free range chicken, stuffed with lemon, wild garlic leaves and a couple of chillies, which I nestled on a bed of chunky cut potatoes. This means that all the chicken fat goes into the potatoes and makes them taste incredible! Then served this up with some garden peas, asparagus and roasted beetroot. No picture unfortunately, but I’ll make it again and remember to take pictures (any excuse!).
After all that food, our feet went up and I was doing the best nodding dog impression ever at about 9pm, so took myself off to bed. I use Amazon Prime, so I get notifications of what I was doing ‘this time last year’ and can you believe I was able to pick roses a year ago? This is a beautiful David Austin rose and it’s a climber called, Teasing Georgia. However, when I look today, the buds haven’t even appeared! Not that I’m complaining, just gives me something to look forward to and I always look forward to this beauty.
Hope you had a great weekend!
A x
Abi in the Garden 