Fill It Up!

Today is World Refill Day - to raise awareness of the wisdom of re-using, and the foolishness of using single-use/disposable goods unnecessarily 

After the Big Plastic Count last month, I was sent this link to the "Living with Less Plastic Handbook". It is a free downloadable resource full of useful ideas, helpful to those starting out on this journey.  I have certainly used my Stojo Mug an awful lot this year, for hot and cold drinks. 
The nearby market town of Swaffham has a "Sustainable Swaffham" Campaign, aiming to make our area [Breckland] carbon neutral by 2035. A number of shops offer free refills for water bottles, and there are other eco-initiatives throughout the town.

Breckland Council has a whole section on "Eco Friendly Communities" on its website.

Look for stickers like these in other towns.

And please don't forget that 'refilling' covers many things. Use reusable vegetable bags at the supermarkets rather than taking a plastic bag every time you buy carrots. Buy dry goods in larger quantities in recyclable paper sacks or cartons, to decant into smaller containers when you get home. If you have a weekly date with your local chinese takeaway, ask them to refill your carefully washed plastic containers. Wilko sells grass seed in a box - or you can buy it loose in a paper bag [and it is cheaper too] 

If you are in a rural area, do look out for 'milk dispensing machines' - we have one at Dann's farm just up the road, and another at Abbey Farm, Binham, 20 miles away. It is a real treat to stop on the way home from a day out, and refill our glass bottle with a litre of farm fresh whole milk.

We buy our free range eggs from the local farm, and I have been using the same egg box for over 10 years [since the days when we refilled it at the end of our holidays, before returning to Leicestershire]

Do you have a favourite refill product?

Or a good tip to share?

Cutting The Ties

One significant change in retirement is Bob is rarely in formal dress these days- fewer occasions requiring a suit with collar and tie. This has reduced my ironing load [whoopee!] and the few ties he has kept stay unworn in the wardrobe most of the time. He has one shirt which he loves, a blue, cotton twill "Oxford". It is loose, and comfortable. But it is rather old, and the collar has worn right through.

I unpicked the collar and lifted it right out of the collar band. Then restitched the gap along the top of the band by hand. 

Voila! a casual collarless shirt. Perfect for balmy summer days. No tie required

Royal Wreck To Stay In Norfolk?

So read the sign outside the newsagents last week. And it wasn't anything to do with Prince Andrew visiting Sandringham - rather it was reference to the announcement of the discovery of the wreck of HMS Gloucester off the coast of Yarmouth.

This is such a fabulous story. In 2002 I read "The Unequalled Self" - Claire Tomalin's prize winning, entertaining biography of diarist Samuel Pepys. She tells how in 1682 Pepys was invited to travel with James, Duke Of York [brother of Charles II] to Scotland by boat. Pepys suffered from seasickness, and found James' boat overcrowded with courtiers, so he moved himself to The Royal Yacht Katherine, a half empty ship travelling alongside. James' ship, the Gloucester, ran aground off the Norfolk coast. The heir to the throne survived, along with John Churchill- but 250 souls were lost at sea. I've seen the picture "The Wreck of the Gloucester" In the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. 

That's 2002 - twenty years ago. Last week it was announced that the wreck of HMS Gloucester had been found by divers on the seabed off Yarmouth. That's exciting - but what is amazing is that the divers who found it made their discovery fifteen years ago and it has been kept very hush-hush for all that time. Brothers Lincoln and Julian Barnwell, two Norfolk printers and amateur divers, discovered the ship with a friend, James Little.

They have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds funding their dives, and buying a suitable boat to carry equipment and artefacts. This week they said it was a relief to be able to speak about it all at last. They spoke of the moment they found the ship's bell, confirming it really was the royal ship. "We stood there together, realising that we were the first people in 340 years to see that bell, the only people in the world who knew where it was"

The brothers are printers, based in Aylsham, Four generations of the family have produced printed materials - including tide tables, and lists of shipwrecks. These lists were what started the brothers on the diving adventures. They dive all over the world - including the Galapagos Islands [where they do much to support the islands environmental charity] but Norfolk is home, and where it all began. So, back to the HMS Gloucester...

So many amazing artefacts have been recovered, connected to this time period, and specifically to James [who became king James II a few years later] The brothers have worked closely with University of East Anglia, to ensure the clothes, weaponry, wine bottles, pottery and more have been correctly identified and preserved. Lord Dannatt, deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk, and former head of the armed forces [and an altogether jolly good chap imho] is heading up a charity to protect the wreck and its artefacts.[Some of which bear the crest of the Legge family, George Washington's forbears]

People have compared this discovery to that of The Mary Rose, which sank off the Isle Of Wight in 1545, was found in 1971 and raised in 1982. But nobody is sure how cohesive the structure is, it may just be scattered timbers on the seabed and it is possible a similar salvage operation would be impossible. But the actual sinking had a much greater effect on our nation's history even though the majority of people had not heard of the wreck until last week.

It had to be kept a secret all this time because of the location of the wreck, and to prevent unscrupulous treasure seekers ransacking the site. But now it has all gone public "Such a relief to be able to talk about it now- it is always in the back of your mind" said one of the brothers. I'm really excited by this discovery - and so pleased that the treasures are going to be on display in Norwich Castle next year. UEA/Norfolk Museums have already released a video...

Beautiful Babies

First up, happy birthday to our Jess- ONE today. What a year it has been - you arrrived a little early, and you've been making your presence felt ever since.

Always alert and interested - and you clearly adore your big sister

You have brought us all so much joy. I am sure you will enjoy some cake today

...and now there is another new member of the Almond family - up in Scotland another great niece has just arrived named Breagha [Gaelic for beautiful] 

May God bless these little ones, and their families.

Three In One

I'm a Nonconformist through and through, so I don't really follow the CofE liturgical calendar. But as I worshipped in the Parish Church last week [United Jubilee Celebration-Pentecost] I realised this week must be Trinity Sunday. I don't fully understand how the Trinity works - and preachers talking about shamrocks or fire-water-ice aren't giving us the whole picture. But I came across this quote from C S Lewis' book "Mere Christianity", and it has given me lots to think about...

A world of one dimension would be a straight line. In a two-dimensional word, you still get straight lines, but many lines make one figure. In a three-dimensional world, you still get figures but many figures make one solid body. In other words, as you advance to more real and more complicated levels, you do not leave behind you the things you found on the simpler levels: you still have them, but combined in new ways–in ways you could not imagine if you knew only the simpler levels.

Now the Christian account of God involves just the same principle. The human level is a simple and rather empty level. On the human level one person is one being, and any two persons are two separate beings- just as in two dimensions (say on a flat sheet of paper) one square is one figure, and two squares are two separate figures. On the Divine level you still find personalities; but up there you find them combined in new ways which we, who do not live on that level, cannot imagine. In God’s dimension, so to speak, you find a being who is three Persons while remaining one Being, just as a cube is six squares while remaining one cube.

Going Bananas!

 I have a little seam ripper - and I use it to remove misplaced stitches. But a woman called Anna Chojnicka uses hers to draw on bananas! In April 2020, quarantined with covid, she was bored. She started doodling on a banana. 

And discovered an amazing talent. Look at these examples of her work

She decorates one banana day, photographs it, posts on social media...then eats her artwork!

She has raised thousands of pounds for the FareShare food charity with her artworks. Watch this little video...

It is a crazy story, but she is clearly very imaginative. You can see two more BBC videos, here and  here  .I frequently doodle on a banana [or leave a message] using a ballpoint pen - because it feels lovely to do that [try it] But I have never used my stitch ripper to draw something beautiful.

Fava Beans, No Chianti

I've never seen Silence of the Lambs [too violent] and never drunk Chianti - so I am not sure I understand Anthony Hopkins' comment in the film. Fava beans are very popular in the US, and sometimes called horse beans, or field beans. They've been around 10,000 years, first cultivated  in the Middle East - and a good staple food, because the beans can be eaten fresh, but also are easy to dry and then rehydrate for cooking. 

I bought some falafel wrap kits from Roger's Wholesale when we were back in Dorset. One can of chickpeas was needed to make the falafels*. It was only when I opened up the box that I found the interesting information that the original falafels were made with fava beans...

I was making the falafels to serve a light lunch. Not with wraps, but some leftover bulgur wheat salad, and a green salad [home grown lettuce] In the UK fava beans are usually called broad  beans. I'm growing these in the raised bed. I picked just a few of the longest pods [don't they look gorgeous in the pottery bowl?]

I podded them, blanched them briefly, and dressed them with olive oil, some lemon zest and homegrown mint.The falafel kit included tahini sauce and pomegranate salad dressing. Along with a slice of home made brown bread, it tasted lovely.

I am looking forward to harvesting the rest of the bean crop in coming days. Do any of you have any good broad bean recipes, please?

*I oven baked the falafels, it is much healthier than deep frying them. 

Creating Calm From Chaos

Liz recommended this book, and so I borrowed it from the library.* It calls itself a "get-real guide" - and I have to agree with Liz, this woman does write with a down-to-earth, honest attitude to clutter with which many of us can identify.

*don't buy the book. It is £13 and is unlikely to earn a permanent place on the shelf. If you cannot borrow, then get a 2nd hand copy for less than £3 - and pass it on to somebody else. 

Debora [a blogger and foodwriter] has read extensively on the whole subject of decluttering, and selects the best advice from a wide range of writers. She acknowledges that Marie Kondo has helped bazillions of people to organise their homes- but says the "Does it Spark Joy?" question does not really work for her. However she likes MKs systematic approach to sorting out belongings.

She acknowledges that many people feel 'marooned in a sea of possessions, and not knowing where to start, feeling overwhelmed and flustered'

She counsels against emptying your entire wardrobe on the bed to sort it- you may never dig yourself out! Or you will run out of time part way through. It's late, you want to go to bed, so the unsorted stuff will be stuffed back into cupboards and drawers, and remain in a tangled mess for months until you have spare time. Just do one drawer or shelf at a time...

She urges us to see that we do not need all this stuff- 'chuck it overboard and move forward'

Debora cites all sorts of long established 'gurus' - Martha Cilley, the FlyLady who has been sharing wise tips since the 1990s, Norah Ephron the wonderfully witty writer, Margaretta Magnusson [Swedish Death Cleaning] Edward de Bono [who introduced us to lateral thinking] and many others. I have enjoyed the writings of all 4 of these in the past, and DR shares some of their best ideas. Her writing style is clever, and self deprecating, peppered with amusing anecdotes and little cartoons.

But the book is above all practical - simple ways to build decluttering habits into your lifestyle. Which tasks to do if you have 5/10/15/30/60 minutes.

And a gentle reminder that "keep/ donate /sell /discard" must be done thoughtfully.

keep - do I love it, do I use it, do I need it?

donate - will anyone else truly want this. Don't pass on junk to family, or the charity shop - that is adding to their burden

sell - fine, if you are going to get on and do the selling. But don't keep boxes of stuff hanging about waiting for The Right Moment. Schedule a day for listing with Ziffit/ eBay/ Etsy/ FBMarketplace - and if you can't [and the stuff genuinely has value] give it away.

discard - carefully, landfill being your last resort, after diligent sorting and recycling.

The book is full of little nuggets of inspiration - and does not make you feel a failure. Some decluttering books are Very Worthy - this one makes you smile, and feel that even if all you do this week is sort out your spice rack, you are making progress. 

I did a lot of downsizing prior to retirement - but I consider decluttering is an ongoing activity. Reading this book has encouraged me to look again at the process, and tackle some of my heaps, stores, and stashes in a new way. Thank you Liz for the recommendation. 

I rate this book *****

Seas The Day

Today is World Ocean Day. It is 30 years since the Canadians first proposed a special day to celebrate, honour and protect our oceans and the life within them. 
This year the focus is therefore 30x30 - to protect at least 30% of our lands, oceans and waters by 2030

As well as the World Ocean Day website, you can find lots of other resources on the Marine Stewardship Council site. [you may have seen the MSC logo on your canned fish labels]

You can find out how to make a difference, even if you live miles from the sea...

1. shop for sustainable seafood
2. get creative in the kitchen
3. learn more about sustainable fisheries
4. stay informed

The MSC has lots of activities for younger children and the WOD site includes the popular characters from Octonauts and Fraggle Rock

You can make fish nuggets* with the children, play card games, colour posters, and do crafts, whilst you talk about the importance of the oceans. 

And there are links to petitions, which encourage world governments to take positive actions to protect our blue planet.

* no grandchildren around this week, but I may make Bob fish nuggets anyway!

Dismantled...

Two more scarecrows which appeared in the village at the weekend. Mine were dismantled yesterday

Everything was very soggy! The big flags will be ironed and put back in the bag with the bunting. The clothes and stuffing [rolled up towels and pillowcases] are all drying out on the airer. The frames will go back into store until they come out again for the Nativity Tableau. And the heads? I am not altogether sure. I'll keep Charles in case I need him for a Coronation. I put so much work into stitching Greta that I don't want to consign her to the ragbag yet. Once thoroughly dried out, these heads may go up into the loft [in a bag, so they don't scare anybody] 

It was a lot of work - but it was definitely worth it

Thank you for our winning certificate, and for the prize [four adult tickets for this lovely place - so we can take Liz, Jon, Steph, Gaz and  the children sometime this summer]

The Garden Party [Not At Buckingham Palace]

The ladies who organise the Tuesday Club [coffee and cakes at the pub] decided to lay on a Garden Party as part of the village Jubilee Celebrations. We delivered half a dozen chairs to the venue earlier in the week - and then chauffeured our elderly neighbour to the event on Saturday afternoon. We followed the instructions and dressed in Patriotic Colours. There was a little confusion when we arrived. Our invitation had the wrong time printed on it, so we were late. Never mind. There was still a mountain of cakes left, and the cardboard cutout Queen stood smiling at the end of the garden. In fact most people didn't start leaving till gone 5, so we got to speak to a number of people. I met the Vicar, and the Editor of the Parish Magazine. 

Barbara and I posed for our Royal Photograph. Thank you to the Three Jays [Joyce, Judy and Jane] for arranging the event. Here's two pictures from Thursday's event - the Piper, and the lighting of the Beacon.

There does seem to be much less enthusiasm for this Jubilee than for the one in 2012. Perhaps people are just rather disillusioned with the Royals now - the media seems to delight in speculating about the William/Harry rift, and the behaviour of the Duke of York. 

I shall take my bunting down soon...

The Queen - And Her King

Today is Pentecost Sunday- a very special day in the Christian Calendar, when we celebrate God sending his Holy Spirit to encourage and empower His people in the world. It seems appropriate on this Jubilee Sunday to remember that Queen Elizabeth is a woman of strong faith. 

She may be head of the Church of England, but they only let her preach once each year - on Christmas Day! Here are two or my favourite quotes from her Festive Sermons

"Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. 

God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) – but a Saviour, with the power to forgive. Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.”

“I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. 

Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings and to put my trust in God … I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel,”

Lettuce Celebrate!

I returned from the weekend with a box of plants from my lovely SIL, and a load more gardening wisdom from various family members [thank you all]

Once the bunting and scarecrows were sorted, I settled down to some gardening.

I am loving the fact that having a raised bed means I can go and cut just enough fresh salad leaves for that day's lunch, and the rest go on growing. 

I have just harvested a few new potatoes- these will be so delicious simply cooked, and served with butter...

Currently in the raised bed I have the following crops

1&2 - Potatoes

3&4 - Broad beans

5 - the end of the lettuce crop

6 - swiss chard

7A - beetroot [just sown]

7B- carrots [peeping through]

8&9 - runner bean tipi and dwarf French beans

10 - 1 row of radishes [not yet ready to eat] and a celeriac in the corner

Plus a row of marigolds at the end of the bed - because they were reduced to 25p in Wilko and I liked the look of them!

I have been keeping a careful note of my harvest - and my costs.

From end of April through to end of May, I had approx 550g radishes, 450g lettuce, and 450g spinach. To buy organic produce like this would cost considerably more than what I paid for the seeds. I think it works out at about a third of the shop price.

So that makes me happy and healthy. 

Denise has given me some sweet peppers and aubergines. She says that aubergines are easier to grow than marigolds. I hope this is true!

 

My Afternoon With Royalty

 After a couple of hours, Rosie and I left the Village Hall - we'd run out of things to keep her amused*. And the Frozen Yogurt Van had not turned up either [I had promised an ice cream] We went into town and bought ices, then came back to Cornerstones. I suggested we pretended to be princesses.

We had a wonderful couple of hours role-playing. In my box in the loft were a chinese dress, part dresses and bridesmaid dresses, and my box of wigs. I put some necklaces in a basket, and got our my 'fascinators and corsages' case. Rosie absolutely went to town...

She particularly liked the blonde wig, pearls, and green dress, declaring "I am a Scottish Princess". Maybe if she grew her own gorgeous red hair to her waist, she could be Disney's fiery feminist Brave Princess Merida of Dunbroch

Yes I joined in - but only by putting on the red wig [Rosie really didn't like that wig, and thought it made her look like a clown] I am really glad I didn't declutter my little box of dressing up clothes.

As Pip in Great Expectations said "What larks!"

*Rosie enjoyed the craft area, and decorated a Jubilee Lantern, which her Mum helped her light later in the evening. 

Not Very Jubilant In This Village...

We went for a walk round the village on Tuesday evening and found just one scarecrow. A small Queen sitting next to a wheelie bin. Not much bunting hanging about. Yesterday evening another one appeared just round the corner. I do hope that today's special Family Fun Afternoon and the evening Beacon Ceremony are well supported. I am feeling a little despondent. Rosie came for a sleepover last night - she immediately recognised Greta Thunberg, and says "she tells us not to pollute the planet" But she wasn't sure about Prince Charles! 

Another Norfolk Character - And His Song

Meet Bruno Peek - the Queen's Pageantmaster, who is organising the lighting of the beacons across the nation tomorrow night.
This guy has an amazing background- he and his baby brother were just abandoned by their Polish parents in a street in Kings Lynn - and a Norfolk couple adopted them and brought them up. He's spent his life in Norfolk, working as a baker, a butcher and a builder's labourer - before ending up masterminding great celebratory events [he was involved in the Golden Jubilee, and then in charge of the Diamond event in 2012]

He does much of the planning from his house in Gorleston [near Great Yarmouth] along with his wife Moira. He seems very humble, and clearly adores her Majesty. He is an expert in arranging the lighting of chains of beacons - having begun 40 years ago with "Operation Sea Fire" - lighting beacons around the coastline as the English Tourist Board launched Maritime England. 

Bruno has commissioned the "2022 Commonwealth Song" - to be sung across 54 countries as the beacons are lit tomorrow night. This song is to honour the Queen for her 70 years of service, and it is hoped that people will perform this song. It is intended to be accessible for all - school choirs, community singers, amateur and professional musicians. There were quite a few entries in the competition. Here is the winning song...

A Life Filled with Grace  

Verse 1

When the world has turned to darkness

And there’s troubled seas ahead

There’s a light that leads the ship

back home to shore

Chorus

A life lived with grace

A heart filled with love

Peace on earth and harmony

In the heavens above (x2)

Verse 2

When the day is slowly breaking

And the dawn can’t find its way

There’s a sun that shines upon the world

Heralding a brand new day

Chorus

A life lived with grace…

Verse 3

When the night has come, a-calling

And the daylight starts to fade

There’s a reason why the world rejoices

Singing all as one today

Chorus

A life lived with grace...

[Lyrics Lucy Kiely, Music Atueyi Vincent]

I'm not 100% sure about the lyrics - I don't think the Queen is the light who leads me back to shore, or the sun who heralds each new day for me. But heigh-ho, it's a jolly little tune when played on the hurdy gurdy...

Is there a Beacon Ceremony tomorrow night where you live?

Will you be singing this new song?

 

Scarecrows Sorted!

We were up very early yesterday in order to get the bunting up and the scarecrows displayed. Bob was brilliant, as ever - up a ladder, fixing hooks, and doing the 'high' stuff, whilst I did the ground level part of the display. The word overkill was mentioned. Often! Having a corner property leaves plenty of scope for hanging all my flags

Charles and Greta at the table and an explanatory note on the fence. Nobody can say I am not taking this seriously. 

There should be a map produced showing where all the competition entries are situated. We'll have a walk round and view them later in the week.

"Where did you get your flags?" asked a neighbour, "they only seem to be selling Ukrainian ones in Dereham." I said I'd had most of them for years, and some I'd sewn up last week.

I really hope that there are lots in the village, but I suspect ours will be the only ones in the close. I didn't see any on my trip to the post office on Monday afternoon. 

Catty Corners

 An American expression, meaning 'diagonally opposite' [from a misunderstanding of the French quatre coins = four corners] It appears that there is going to be a case coming to the courts regarding supermarket access, with Sainsburys taking the opposite position to a cat.

Here is Chloe, with her owner Ian. Ian was recently diagnosed with autism, and Chloe's presence helps him stay calm. However he was  refused entry to his local store - Guide Dogs are allowed, but not cats. Sainsburys say "While Chloe may be well-behaved, if it altered its general policy it could present a risk of other more unruly cats causing havoc - and it would have no way of assessing an animal's behaviour or training."

It is hoped that this court case will clarify the UK law regarding "Emotional Support Animals". This is a hot topic worldwide. In America in 2018 there was much discussion of an 'emotional support peacock' called Dexter being barred from taking a United Airlines Flight with its nervous owner. In Australia, things seem to be a little clearer about the rights of such creatures.

I honestly do not know what I think. I fully appreciate this gentleman has major anxiety issues, and that Chloe is good for supporting him through that. As a teacher, I have sat through many school visits by representatives from "Pets as Therapy" who are a well established UK charity providing such support. I am aware that the mental health of the nation in general has suffered in the past two years. I have worked with teenagers at the Autism Unit in Leicestershire, and recognise their genuine special needs.

But I have also worked with children who suffer from asthma. I know that one in eight of the UK population suffers from some form of asthma- and half of them will have allergic asthma. If one of these people has any contact with cats, cat hair or cat dander, then there is a 1 in 4 likelihood of an extreme reaction.  Would I feel comfortable with my asthmatic child in a buggy or supermarket trolley if Ian is next to me, bending down to reach a can of beans from the shelf  - with Chloe in his backpack? 

The Guide Dogs Association puts all its animals through incredibly stringent preparation, PAT stress that all their animals are "temperament-assessed" before they are allowed to 'go to work'. Ian says that Chloe is trained, and always wears an 'assistance animal' jacket when she accompanies him to shops, on public transport, and into restaurants etc. 

Equality legislation currently makes it unlawful to refuse entry on the grounds of race, religion, sex or sexual orientation and disability amongst other things. Discrimination arising from disability is when someone is treated unfairly because of something connected to the disability rather than the disability itself [eg refusing to allow a person in the store if their guide dog is with them] But food shops must also [rightly] abide by stringent hygiene standards, and have a duty of care towards all their customers.

I don't know the answer here - what do you think?