I'm Sew Excited!

Have you heard? The Bayeaux Tapestry is coming to England in 2026!

OK, it is a temporary exchange of treasures - the French are getting the Lewis Chessmen and some of the Sutton Hoo hoard. In the 1000th anniversary of the birth of William the Conqueror, this 70 metre length of embroidery [it is not tapestry work, by the way!] is coming back to the land of its creation. 

We asked to borrow it in 1953 [Coronation of Elizabeth II] and 1966 [900 years after the battle] and quondam Culture Secretary Matt Hancock* assured us in 2018 that it would be coming in 2022. [huh!]

But now there is a definite date, and it will be on display in the British Museum. Oh how I long to go and see it...
I have dreamed of seeing this for more than 55 years, ever since I laboriously copied a portion onto a bit of sheeting for a school project on mediaeval needlework. [I finally saw my other favourite French stitching, the Lady and The Unicorn, last year in Paris]

I am clearly not alone in this longing, poet Bryan Bilston has written a little ode, which I plan to print out and stick on the fridge...

Tapestry of Dreams

for sew long how I did yearn
to visit you in Bayeux

but with the conquest of the years
my hair is getting greyeux

for Time will wait for Norman
-that's one in the eye for me

yet hope hangs by a silver thread,
I now hear you'll cross the sea

oh, I'm on pins and needles
I've been waiting since my youth

no stitch-up or false-spun yarn
it's the unembroidered truth

Brian Bilston

Will you be going to see it do you think?
* I have always wanted to use the word quondam in a post. I am not at all fond of MH, so am pleased to have found an appropriate adjective for him at last.

But Me No Buts

 

At the end of June, my bro went away for a few days and asked me to water his plants. I was happy to do so. But I did develop serious Butt Envy. Tucked round the corner of his garden, he has a huge water butt, into which drains all the water from the roof of his house. I have two smaller slimmer butts, one at the end of the coach house, the other just next to the patio doors in the back. I would love one as big as this, but cannot work out where it could go!

I have always been fascinated by water butts - the clever way that once they are full, the diverter sends the overflow back into the pipe and down the drain. 

Every time I water my plants, I diligently refill my three watering cans when I've finished, to leave maximum space in the butts just in case there is any rain. I'd hate to waste any water! My friend Cathy has a fabulous arrangement with 5 interlinked butts behind her outhouse [a wonderful Victorian building, there's a date on one of the bricks] She rarely runs out of water for her lush vegetables beds. 

The Raised Beds continue to delight us - plenty of lettuce and potatoes at the minute, and in the greenhouse the mini tomatoes are ripening. We've had the last mini cucumber - I shall get one of these again next year from Toftwood Nurseries.

I was going to work on my flower garden this year, but haven't. However I have been enjoying three house-plants recently given to me.

In May, my neighbour's daughter gave me her mother's orchid, and it has recently bloomed. In June, Adrian gave me a daisy as a thank you for watering his garden. And in July I received this bromeliad from old Kirby Muxloe friends who came to lunch. 

This is quite stunning. I am a little unsure about watering, The advice is to keep the little 'cup' at the top full of water [rain water or boiled, cooled tapwater] How often should I do this? It is so hot at the minute, it seems to be dried out every morning when I check. 

Note; I put it outside simply to photograph. It is currently living on the coffee table in a bright spot  [but not full sunshine]
It seems OK there -but I will have to move it to a safer spot when the grandchildren arrive.

All your Bromeliad Care Tips will be gratefully accepted. Thank you!

Phil Up With Phood

Twenty years ago, I was very fond of watching Everybody Loves Raymond on Channel 4. Like Frasier, and Cheers, you can still find it there. A family sitcom, starring Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton with a good supporting cast. Ray's sister-in-law Amy is played by Monica Horan. She is the [real life] wife of Phil Rosenthal, creator and director of this very clever show, which ran for 9 seasons.

In the past month, Bob has discovered a new series, on Netflix, also created by Phil Rosenthal. It's called Somebody feed Phil and stars the man himself, travelling the world, eating everything. When Bob has time to watch TV and there's nothing else he fancies, then he turns on yet another episode of this show. The ultimate in binge-watching
What can I say? It is utterly delightful. The man is a joyful, positive character, full of hope and love and laughter - and usually quite full of food too. Each episode is in a new location where he seeks out the cuisine. He eats the simple food of the locals in their homes, the exquisite takes on the regional dishes provided by the top chefs, the fast food takeaway street foods, and the generous portions served up at foodbanks and community projects. He isn't patronising, always grateful, and eager to promote the hard work done by the producers of the dishes set before him.

His brother Richard is executive producer, and is often called to the other side of the camera to sample a mouthful of whatever is on Phil's fork. Sometimes wife Monica shares the meal with him - and she is screamingly funny too.

Described as a "foodie do-gooder", via the "Rosenthal Foundation" Phil supports many feeding programmes, and gives a link on his show in case viewers feel moved to help this. Towards the end of every show, he has an online chat with someone [a family member, or a well known celeb] and his guest is required to tell a joke. He is very Jewish, as are many of his guests, although he certainly doesn't 'keep kosher' when it comes to his diet. I'm not 100% in agreement with all his politics -but nevertheless I think it is great fun.

The one he did from Ireland was splendid - visiting Darina and Rachel Allen at the Ballymaloe Cookery School, and doing cold water swimming with crazy vegan chefs Dave and Steve [identical twins] from The Happy Pear in Co. Wicklow.

I can recommend it if you want a burst of sunshine on a gloomy day [you may want to save this up for winter viewing] Good entertainment, his exaggerated facial expressions are a hoot - but watching it does make me hungry...

It's Nice Iced!

When we were in Canterbury, I picked up some cans of iced tea to keep in the fridge. They were pleasant, but definitely a "convenience food" - at home it is much easier to make from scratch. I use this recipe from the BBC, but I skip the oranges and the mint. And use whatever sugar is to hand.

It is lovely to relax out in the summerhouse, with a good book and a carafe of luscious lemony tea. Whatever you do, do not get dehydrated, friends! 

What is your go-to cool drink on a hot day?

Don't Tell 'Em Pike!

Julian came to stay for a couple of days, which was wonderful.  As ever he was really helpful, lifting things and shifting things. On Friday afternoon, Bob was feeling a little stir-crazy after his bad eweek. We went over to Thetford for the afternoon once I got back from my volunteering at Dereham Hospital.

Lunch in Tall Orders was delightful. Portions were generous, salads fresh, staff friendly

We walked round to the Ancient House Museum, passing a WW2 Sentry** - and once inside, Bob put on a helmet and became a Viking soldier!

We went in search of an icecream, stopping to sit briefly with Captain Mainwaring [it had to be brief, the bench was Very Hot!]

Thetford has been working hard in preparation for the visit of the judges from Anglia In Bloom. The statue of Thomas Paine, holding his book upside down, has been regilded, and was blinding in the sunshine!

A local business has built a loco plus tender, another company donated paint, and the gardening club from the secondary school have planted it up. There are planters and hanging baskets all over the town. They have clearly tried very hard - I hope they win!

We came home via Beck's and had a chippy tea. A great day all round!

Isn't the sky amazingly blue?

Do people put out lots of floral displays in public spaces where you live? They take so much watering in this very hot weather, and wilt so fast!

**the TV series Dad's Army was filmed here - sadly the Dad's Army Museum only opens Saturdays and occasional Sundays.

A Canterbury Pilgrimage

A picture taken from the door of St Vincent's Church in Littlebourne - the village where Bob and his family lived from 1963 - his father died in 2001.

His grave is under the trees. We visited last Sunday - it was so peaceful, and good to stand in the shade, listening to the birdsong, and remembering 

a wise, loving father - and talking of the happy times shared by all the family,

On the Saturday morning, we'd visited St Thomas Church in Canterbury city centre. A short walk from the cathedral, this Roman Catholic church is where Bob's Mum worshipped. Here Bob was confirmed, his sister was married - and Mum's funeral was held in 1986. It was cool inside, and I was able to spend a few moments sitting quietly in prayer, thanking God for all his blessings. Grateful to have become part of this family when I met and married Bob. 

The late Pope Francis declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year, with the theme "Pilgrims of Hope". In the entrance was a large banner, incorporating the colourful logo, and the special prayer. St Thomas' Church is one of 102 churches in England designated Pilgrim Churches 

I like the idea of being "Pilgrims of Hope" - and the logo showing the diverse group of faithful people, supporting one another, and clinging to the cross - their symbol of faith. In the rough seas of life, it is shown as bring an anchor. In Hebrews chapter 6, it says "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast". If I can show love, support, and hope to those around me, if I can be a 'tireless cultivator of the seeds of the Gospel' then maybe I can have an impact in my small corner of the cosmos. 

Long Ago, Before The Great British Bake Off...

Next month marks 15 years since GBBO started. I was looking back and found this post from 12th July 2010. Long before I had grandchildren. I think I shall make some of this for them this summer... The post was originally called Super Saucy!

In Mary Berry’s “Real Food Fast” I came across this easy-peasy recipe for toffee sauce. It gets my vote because it is made from store cupboard ingredients [no need to rush out for fresh cream] and has a sensible method for measuring the golden syrup.

I have enjoyed MB’s no-nonsense approach to cooking ever since the 70s when I used to read “Home and Freezer Digest” – where she often had “Half-Term Bake-Ins” which I think were designed so mothers could stock up their freezers and larders for hungry children, but also jolly useful for a busy teacher with a hungry young husband! One intense Saturday in the kitchen provided us with loads of pre-prepared meals and snacks for weeks.

The sauce is very rich and you don’t need much – but it keeps well in the fridge and is lovely over ice cream..

or sliced bananas…

or chocolate sponge…

Toffee Sauce

50g butter
150g light muscovado sugar
150g golden syrup
1 x 170g can evaporated milk

• Weigh 150g sugar in the scale pan – spread it out, and then gently spoon syrup on top till it all weighs 300g.
• Tip the sugar and syrup into a pan, add the butter, and heat gently until melted and liquid. Gently boil for 5 minutes [stirring like crazy!]
• Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the evaporated milk. The sauce is now ready.
• Serve immediately, or leave on one side and reheat to piping hot to serve – or allow to cool and serve cold. Keeps in the fridge for a month [unless eaten first!]

I got this book out of the library last week – there are some interesting recipes in it – this is the only one I have tried so far. But MB seems to have developed a passion for mangoes- about 1 in 8 of the recipes appears to list mangoes or mango chutney among the ingredients.

Does Mary still like mangoes?

Do you have a favourite sauce for ice cream?