Year round Nigel Slater discussion thread Part 2

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello, all and welcome to this lovely space for our continued chats.

A bit of background for anyone not familiar with this topic:

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles readalong usually takes place here between November and February each year (the Christmas Chronicles being a book written by Nigel Slater full of winter recipes and anecdotes) It's been running for a few years, and the contributors have collectively decided it would be nice to have it running all year round.

So here it is. It is a place to appreciate all things Nigel-esque. Think seasonal food and recipes, enjoyment of nature, gardening, appreciation of the weather, and sharing of news and small moments of joy. It's a calm, cosy space for gentle chat and merriment so pull up a deckchair, grab a drink and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

Aww, I have the Eva Cassidy version on my "lovely songs" playlist on Spotify, such a beautiful song.

I'm so sorry to hear that you're struggling this week. Isn't it crazy that even when you're going through a hard time, you are still able to bring strangers such comfort without even trying?? One of the few good things that social media platforms have brought us is the ability to connect people in such a positive way.

And so I'm sorry that you both feel so alone, but I think I can speak for most of the lovely ladies on here when I say that you're not alone. We may not all speak face to face, but we would very much miss you if you didn't post and you continuing this thread is very much appreciated 💓

PS Why does it make me so happy to hear about you all hanging your washing out on a dry or windy day?? It blows my mind that this brings me such comfort?? But I'm not going to look too deep into it incase it unearths something about me that I didn't want to know! 😂😂

Hello!

I’m back in Scotland again, for work this time, and had a lovely browse in the Isle of Skye candle shop. I also found the biggest branch yet of Sostrene Grene: much bigger than the Newcastle or York ones I visit more often.

I’m really noticing the evenings drawing in now, though it’s still quite warm.

Sorry to hear you’re having a tough week @RainbowZebraWarrior. You bring so much calm and peace to others with this thread, and I really hope you feel better soon.

Thank you all so much for the kind words ❤️ Tonight has felt so much better. Neighbours son came round and cut my lawns (not been done since early July) and I've managed to spend a bit of time outside this evening right up till sunset, appreciating the quiet, the birdsong and the neatness. The swallows are still here and I also hear meadow pippets, black bellied plovers and the proverbial autumnal caw of the carrion crows among others. If I had the energy to stay out a bit later, I think I'd probably see and hear my barn owl or my long eared owl, but rest calls.

I need to catch up with the new drama 'I fought the law' as not only was much of the filming done in my village last summer, but the house scenes were all filmed inside and outside my friends old grandparents home.

Just walked through my hallway and the very last of the sunset was just catching the autumnal colours of my wreath shining through the glass pane of my front door and reminded me a bit of a stained glass window.

Glad things have picked up a bit @RainbowZebraWarrior

There is a definite autumnal feel here at the seaside. I’m sending a heads up that huge clouds are heading east!

Bake-off, rainstorms, evenings drawing in and this thread are all helping me get cosy and autumnal! Whenever I’m reading a thread where everyone is mean to each other, I just have to open this one, and my faith is restored
return to school has gone ok…

Back from a glorious trip to Normandy - weather forecast proved quite wrong (or maybe it was just that the car boot was so filled with wellies and waterproofs - none of which were needed- and no swimming kit, which we could have used). I have lots of photos of beaches and harbours, plates of seafood and forest walks, but picked this as my absolute fave - the view from the kitchen in our thatched cottage, across the immaculate vegetable garden (you can just see the pumpkin patch at the back) and the very pleasing and beautifully arranged selection of garden implements on the side of the shed. There was something rather Nigelesque about it (straying into Monty Don territory - I think there is a bit of an overlap) - almost worthy of an entry in the Through the garden gate section of A Thousand Feasts. I really miss having a garden and this one was a gem so I’m very happy to hear about your own garden bringing you so much solace @RainbowZebraWarrior. I think it’s thanks to you that I now have Merlin and I was picking up short toed tree creepers (presumably in the apple trees) for the first time, along with a tawny owl as night fell. It does feel as though the season has turned - though we are forecast 28 degrees at the weekend so not quite time to pack away my summer frocks.

I had my morning coffee on a bench with this view, just a couple of steps down from our holiday rental. A long haul home now and work is around the corner. I hope ds1 has kept up with watering the dahlias whilst I’ve been away - although I reckon it’s been damp oop north.

@LovesAutumnLeaves - re hanging out the washing - I was hanging my washing out the other bright and breezy day and was wondering how many friends on this thread were making the most of the fine weather and happily doing the same!
@RainbowZebraWarrior hope you’re feeling better today and Dd is managing school; only today and there’s the weekend to look forward to.

That photo @Bimblesalong ❤️❤️❤️ I shall raise you the vieux port at Honfleur. Nice to know you have your Parisian break and opera tickets to look forward to.

Glorious @LillianGish ! I need to sort my city outfits out - I’m not sure sandy flip flops and t shirts will cut it in Paris!

@Seasidebubbles it has beem raining heavily on and off here for thr last couple of weeks but today and tomorrow were forecast dry so I saved all the clothes for today (3 loads on the line and one still in the machine) and will do all the sheets and towels tomorrow

Gosh, what a lot of lovely photos and updates to sit down to this evening.

I took myself off to NT property Delaval Hall this morning after eventually getting DD to school, armed with a strong flask of tea and a cheese scone. Squirelled myself away in a quiet part of the grounds to consume my breakfast with just the birds for company.

Finally had the energy to submit my appeal for DDs EHCP so at least that's done. Looking forward to a weekend of rest, coupled with a bit of last minute candle making and some shopping at Tynemouth Market on Sunday.

Happy Friday, all! This was my 'breakfast spot' with my flask on the arm of the bench.

I have been watching I Fought the Law after your remarks @RainbowZebraWarrior. Which house is your friend's grandmother's - is it Julie's house or her mum's? I am watching much more intently for all the background now you have mentioned it is filmed round your way as if I might somehow spot you in it - ridiculous I know 😂Hope you and dd have had a good day to day and can look forward to a relaxing weekend. My DD has requested soup this evening which always feels like the start of autumn - I am making mushroom as there are lots of varieties around at the moment.

@LillianGish I've not managed to catch up with it yet, but sure it's Julie's house as when they were filming, there were a lot of white tents and 'forensics' type props surrounding it. I was actually asked to be a supporting artist during filming, but it's long days and it's not really possible for me to commit to those hours any more.

The actual crime didn't happen here, but it was only 20 miles away in a similar old 'pit village' in County Durham. No idea why they chose our village to film it in, other than the fact that we have a lot of space / open land surrounding and also the crew made use of our large out of town outlet's car park for all the trailers. The area is a side of the village where they built a lot of prefabs and council properties after the war as part of our village was bombed and destroyed during WW2.

N.B. Just watched the first 10 minutes. The accents are bloody awful. Not many folk can do a convincing geordie accent. Still looking forward to seeing the rest as it was a truly shocking story.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24523615.fought-law-sheridan-smith-films-shiremoor/

Also, all the background artists were screened and were not allowed to appear if they had modern hair styles / colours. Obviously Sheridan is wearing a wig, but the wardrobe department can't afford wigs for all the extras.

Dog and I have survived first week back at work. I include dog because she looks as shell shocked as I am. Recovering with a saffron flavoured g&t

NVN but Sainsbury’s has lots of lovely candles on sale at the moment. Got a double wick pear and fresia scent reduced for £9 to £6ish. About to light it now

I've never heard of saffron flavoured G&T @CrushingOnRubies did it taste earthy like saffron does? Pleased you and DDog survived the week.

I also noticed lots of lovely candles reduced in M&S. They are obviously making way for the Christmas stock. Didn't buy any as I'm on a candle embargo atm due to a Fortnum & Masons candle purchase arriving today.

I'd have loved a lie in today, but here I am wide awake but shattered. At least I'm resting. Anyway, here were some of the candles I saw in M&S. All were half price.

Also, while I'm on about candles, TK Maxx is the place to go to grab a bargain. I don't get there much, but the website is an array of temptation, including this Trudon Odalisque one with 25% off

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/gifts/gifts-for-the-home/odalisque-scented-candle-270g/p/82006425

Ooh, which Fortnum and Mason candle @RainbowZebraWarrior? I was in their Piccadilly store in the summer and loved the honey one, and also something else in a leafy box which might have been freesia or something like that. I didn’t succumb to either, but do love a TK Maxx browse. I have a lot of luck in their Durham store if you’re ever near there?

And for St Eval fans, their tealight advent calendar is now on sale (I’m sure most of us are on their mailing list and will know this anyway). I have one of the 2024 ones that I bought in a sale, and it looks to be the same content.

@RainbowZebraWarrioryes it tastes like a saffron bun but not sweet. It’s from Rock Gin distillery and picked it up at a local food festival.

Hadn’t connected that it was to clear stock for Christmas. Some of the things on sale hadn’t been on the shelf for long.

interested about the st eval advent calendar. Want something a bit different this year, usually have a hotel chocolate one but there’s so much chocolate in it, we are drowning in chocolate for months

I see it's jumped up to £50 this year which I think is shocking. £2 per tealight! <makes scrooge type face> I've just tried my usual trick of adding THANKYOU20 to take 20% off which worked last year, but not this time.

I'm also in a huff with Isle of skye candles. Used to be free delivery on anything (even one candle) and now it's £40+. Though tbf, I always thought they were mad for allowing no minimum spend.

Anyhoo, I do not need more candles, for I am a candle making today. My new favourite gingerbread house candles are the order of the day.

This is my Fortnum's one arriving today:

https://www.fortnumandmason.com/fortnums-christmas-spiced-tea-votive-candle-70g?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PLA+-+Shopping+-+Main+-+Brand&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=713714873&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3e6p7c7DjwMVhZBQBh3Hkz1REAQYBCABEgJZbfD_BwE

Also @LemonVerbenaGeranium the F&M Honey one has been on my list for ages ❤️

@CrushingOnRubies I'm holding out for the John Lewis home fragrance advent calendar this year. I'll post if I hear nothing as I know Bimbles is also interested.

Just thought I would also post this. It's a company I've ordered from this year called Herbal Haven, and I would highly recommend them. Anyway, they sent an email this morning about it being zero food waste week and a reminder to make good use of any herbs in the garden before they go woody etc. So drying or freezing herbs, making herb butters, herb salt, herb oils and vingegars etc. Here's a link to their blog if anyone is interested (also, dried herbs and chillies and jars of herb salt make great gifts)

https://www.herbalhaven.com/blogs/herb-journal/guide-to-preserving-home-grown-herbs?omnisendContactID=680ba16e840b0aabcab466c1&utm_campaign=Email-newsletter%3A+September+2025&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend