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?

Back To The Middle Ages

 

It was really splendid to see so many people coming together for this fantastic community event [info here]

I stood near the start of the route, outside  St Peter's Methodist Church [whilst Bob sat inside feeling unwell]

Hundreds of people, from the very young, to the elderly, in an array of costumes- some professional, others homemade. And everyone so cheerful. There were school children in the tabards they ad decorated, proudly carrying their colourful banners. Huge models of Chaucer's Characters. Lots of music, and laughter. A guy walking on stilts, juggling at the same time [I couldn't  do either skill - to do both at once is amazing imho] It was lovely and the atmosphere was really good.

Such a delightful morning - so much to see and do and learn...

Her Name Was Lola...

 ...She Ate Granola
Apologies to Barry Manilow, but I feel it would have been a good alternative lyric to "she was a showgirl"   Bob's appetite has returned,  a sure sign of recovery. Very appreciative of all your get well wishes, thanks everybody!

We are both very fond of granola. My 1978 Mennonite "More With Less" Cookbook has eight different granola recipes, but I haven't made my own for years. I generally buy Sainsbury's "Simple Granola" and throw in dried fruit and banana chips [bought cheaply from the friendly guy on Fakenham Market] But then I heard Nadiya Hussein talking about the "Bread granola" she makes for her children. So I began saving crusts and solitary slices in a bag in the freezer. And this week I made some...

Ingredients

300g/10½oz stale bread slices, cut into 1cm/½in cubes
200g/7oz slivered almonds
50g/1¾oz sunflower seeds
50g/1¾oz oats

25g/1oz desiccated coconut
200ml/7fl oz coconut oil melted
200ml/7fl oz maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
3 tsp ground  cinnamon
1 orange, zest only
200g/7oz dates chopped
Method

Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5.
Place the bread cubes on a large baking tray. Add the almonds, sunflower seeds, oats and desiccated
coconut and mix everything together.
Mix the coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and almond extract together in a small jug and drizzle over the almond mixture. Get your hands in and make sure everything is well coated.
Sprinkle over the cinnamon, grate over the orange zest and mix again with a spoon.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, stirring halfway through to make sure everything is evenly golden.
Once everything is crisp and golden, remove from the oven, add the dates and mix through. Leave to cool. Once cooled, store the granola in an airtight container. 
Substitutions - I was using what I had in the cupboard, so used mixed nuts, and mixed seeds. I had no coconut oil or maple syrup. Rapeseed oil and golden syrup worked fine. No dates on hand so I chopped dried apricots and added a handful of sultanas.

Here it is in my tall lock'n'lock cereal box. The recipe says 'serves 4' but we've already had 4 portions and we're barely halfway through the quantity. Bob says it tastes more like Cinnamon Toast Crunch' than granola, which makes senses as it is bread-based after all.

Bread-and-warm-milk used to be very common as a breakfast food. Dating back to the Middle Ages it was called 'sop' [a precursor to 'soup'] and was a way of using up the stale bread and preventing waste. It was popular during WW and I ate it as a child in the late 50s. In Feed Your Family for £4 a day [Bernadine Lawrence 1989] she makes this as a breakfast dish using bread or toast cubes. 

Nadiya's recipe is tasty and ZeroWaste. I shall do it again!

ALSO thank you everybody for the positive comments about recycling and labels on last week's post. Steph said she showed it to her team at Tangible, who had helped with all the OPRL research. 

Have you ever recycled stale bread into a breakfast dish?

A Short, Short Break

We had hoped for a short break after the Kitchen Project was completed. Bob wanted to return to the Canterbury area where he grew up. Things kept getting in the way. Last Wednesday we decided if we didn't book it soon, it would be the school holidays...So we investigated possible accommodation. Airbnbs seemed quite expensive for what was offered. But Keynes College, part of Kent Uni, offer a really good b&b deal. 

Double room, with ensuite. Use of kitchen and lounge, full breakfast menu, free parking. So we booked Friday - Wednesday. And planned our schedule. Whitstable, walk by the sea. Canterbury and see the sites, and be nostalgic. Return to Littlebourne where Bob grew up, and the Churchyard where his dad is buried. Deal Beach Parlours [once owned by Bob's Italian godmother] for an ice cream. Stroll through picturesque Rye. Eat a sandwich in Sandwich...It didn't happen as planned 

Friday drove down, over Dartford Bridge, stopped at Bluewater for lunch in Leon. Got to uni at 3. Checked in [2nd floor room] Bob had back pain, so I walked to nearby Campus Co-op, got a couple of microwave ready meals for tea. He felt better after food, so at 7pm we drove to Whitstable for dessert.

Saturday into city centre for 9.45. The Medieval Pageant was due to start at 11. We pootled along, visited his Mum's church [not been there since his sister's wedding nearly 44 years ago] looked at people in costume setting up stalls, and displays in the Library, had a coffee. 10.55 we were in the Methodist Church, and Bob said he needed to sit for a bit. I went outside for 10 minutes to watch the procession pass by. Returned to find him feeling really unwell, The kind church ladies looked after him whilst I fetched the car and was able to drive it round to side entrance. Back to Uni. Arranged to change to a ground floor room. It was Really Hot. Bob slept. I took the car to big supermarket for more food. 

Sunday after a disturbed night, Bob said he still wanted to go to Littlebourne. The sun was shining brightly. We had coffee in the local pub, visited the lovely old church [no service this week] and stood quietly at Dad's grave under the trees. Onto Sandwich, for a sandwich

The Folk and Ale Festival was in full swing, great music and Morris Dancers everywhere. Excellent sandwiches. Onto to Dover, to the Ancient Maison Dieu. Then the heavens opened, we were soaked to the skin. Bob felt ill again, acute pain, nausea and more. Back at Uni he phoned 111, we ended up in Ashford Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre. Kidney infection, antibiotics. Monday He slept all day.

Tuesday we came home a day early, it was a long drive - and I managed it ok [but 8 miles from home, we stopped for petrol, and he kindly took over for the last bit]. 

I did manage to get a few good pictures, and will post them later. Right now I'm concentrating on nursing duties. Happy to say that Bob is getting better, slowly

The Green Leaves Of Summer

The tree does not really seemed to have changed since June - but notice that the crop beneath continues to change colour.

The music is the song from the 1960 film "The Alamo" . The lyrics have nothing whatsoever to do with that historic siege, nor yet Davy Crockett!

 

Please, Grandma...

George would like a Pokémon costume. Specifically the Pokémon Legends: Arceus Rei character. What? Who? I'm seriously out of touch here. 

It's this guy. Steph suggested it might make sense just to modify a dressing gown, to get the simple wraparound jacket. She didn't think it would need to be shortened.

Blue fleece d/g duly bought and sent to Cornerstones. I researched the gold "Team Galaxy" sleeve logo and the grey diamond one on the chest. I found some mustard fabric for the sash, leftover from the dress I made for myself 5 years ago. And for the scarf and hat, the rest of that red curtain which lined the cape of the Worst Witch for World Book Day 2024.

The d/g was a fleecy blue fabric which looked like it would shed fibres if cut. So I wed a new collar, cuffs, and hood lining in white French Terry fabric. These were stitched in place with no cutting. 

Yet again I am thrilled with my sewing machine - the "walking foot" made sewing the thicker layers so easy. 

George seems very happy with my efforts, and promptly WhatsApped to say thank you. Despite the heat, he was reluctant to take off the fleecy costume!

Thank you for all those kind words yesterday and the assurance of your prayers 

I Will Hold Your People In My Heart

This beautiful hymn, written by Daniel Schutte, a Jesuit Priest in San Francisco, has resonated with me since I first heard it about thirty years ago. It reminds me that God is Lord of all creation, and cares for all humanity. And He asks me to share in that mission of love and care for all creation and for all people [whether or not they consider themselves Christians] But the last line of the chorus "I will hold your people in my heart" has always been associated in my mind with caring especially for those in the church fellowships to which I have belonged down the years. 
Last Sunday, I was elected to be a deacon in our Baptist Chapel, part of the leadership team - called to seek God's will and way forward for those friends who worship Sunday by Sunday. There are 5 other deacons plus Nick our Pastor. I've never been a deacon before [it's not appropriate if your parent or spouse is the Pastor] If you are the praying sort, 🙏 please pray God will give me grace, strength and wisdom for this new role. Thank you 🙏

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them – whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me;
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne My people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them; they turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My Word to them – whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them; My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them – whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me;
I will hold Your people in my heart.

As You Sew, So Shall You Rip!

A bit  pessimistic if you ask me. Not every item I stitch goes wrong and has to be redone. On the other hand, there are times when pulling out the errors makes such a mess of the fabric I have no choice but to start again completely. 

Both Kirsten and I have struggled over the past three years- when we have known what we want to do for our monthly contribution to the collaboration, but it just doesn't look right once stitched. So it is duly unpicked. My last 'flat gift' to her was a retractable unpicker.

For this last project I have cheated a little, I had a spare piece of fabric, and each month worked on a practice patch. Practice Makes Perfect - well maybe not perfect, but there are fewer holes in the finished article, where errant stitches once were...

I decided to make my practice panel into a cover too. 

You remember the Dodo File I found in a CS in May, a random size between A4 and A5. I don't like the printed cover.

I lined my practice panel with a sample of curtain fabric from the stash, and enclosed elastic straps at either end, And I stitched name and date at one end.

And it folds round and slips onto the card folder beautifully. Please don't stare too hard at my machined name on the right- the doorbell rang and when I returned, I lost my place and it went wrong!!

I am quite pleased with it - you will see I had to add extra rows of ribbon to make it fit. And I am concerned about the delicate poppies on the spine. I may have to enclose them in some sheer voile, or their petals will get snagged. But it has already given me things to think about before I make up the 'Proper' CoverStory piece. 

Do you ever make 'practice pieces' when you are doing craftwork?

Moderate Or Fair, Occasionally Rough At First!

Today marks the centenary of the Shipping Forecast, first broadcast on the BBC  on 4th July 1925. It is a much treasured feature of our national radio service. 

I am not a sailor, and have never needed to listen, but I find it comforting to know that those who do need to know what weather is coming their way can rely on this amazing service.

There are currently three broadcasts a day, 00:48, 5:34, and 17:54.  It's the teatime one that we landlubbers are most familiar with I guess. But sometimes, when insomnia has driven me to seek solace in late night radio I listen to the Shipping Forecast, always preceded by Ronald Binge's "Sailing By " Theme. [and if there are gales forecast, I will snuggle into my warm bed gratefully, and pray "for those in peril on the sea"]
I hadn't realised that the tune was chosen because it is repetitive, and so sailors are alerted to the fact it is almost time for the forecast, and it acts as a "filler" between the final programme of the night and the forecast, so it can be trimmed to end at 00:48 precisely. According to HM Coastguard is a legal requirement for the Forecast to be provided, as part of the Mariners' Safety Information.

There are really strict rules about the forecast, so that sailors in the 31 areas can easily understand the data which affects them..

• A strict 370 word limit [at 00:48, an extra 10 allowed, to include Trafalgar
• Gale warnings are always mentioned first to alert mariners
• Then there is a general synopsis, followed by specific areas in strict order [wind, sea state, weather, visibility]
• The words imminent, soon, and later have definite meanings, within 6 hours, 6-12 hours, 12-24 hours
• There are standard terms and abbreviations.

These set phrases have become part of Radio4 fanspeak. jokes which appear on birthday cards and teeshirts. Such as

• light icing
• veering slowly, losing identity
• moderate or good, very poor
• new low expected, south east

Many famous actors have voiced the Forecast, some better than others, to be honest. Samuel West has declared this honour to be a lifelong ambition. He has read it on other programmes, but not read an actual live forecast. Please BBC, let this man do it! Acting as Siegfried Farnon, he is well on the way to becoming a National Treasure. Quick, while his dear Mum Prunella is still around. 

Find out more about the special BBC programmes here

We are having a few days away - I shall pack my copy of One Summer's Grace, a favourite holiday read. We are an island race, and seafaring is an important part of our history.