Year round Nigel Slater discussion thread - Part 3

[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 chair to the fireplace, grab a drink and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

Wow that is amazing glass.

We are having a VN day viewing Chinese ceramics after a rather overwhelming start trying to find a bus stop - our train station to the art gallery is on fire. They’re still working on damping it down, the streets are full of smoke (we carry n95 mask) and the emergency services are on top alert. Heartbreaking losses for people’s livelihoods and to architecture.

I had been going to mention that earlier as its obviously been on the news a lot and I sussed where you were. Station closed until tomorrow at least apparently. Stupid flipping vape shops!!

Well no dental hygiene work for me. I didn’t even get in the chair. We were chatting on the way to the treatment room and I mentioned I was having a hip replacement next week. Had just taken off my coat and she said ‘ah, we can’t go ahead; no dental work 3 months before joint surgery’.

I did not know this! Have moved my appointment to September as I have to wait even longer, 6 months after the surgery, to be safe. It makes sense when I think about it but surprised it hadn’t come up before.

Did anyone else know this? Nobody mentioned it at the hospital either. I shall go and research now.

Not a wasted journey though, I fell into the garden centre on the way home...😄

I did not know that @DameProfessorIDareSay - glad you got a garden centre visit at least.

Beautiful ceramics @Bimblesalong. The fire is shocking, I can't believe how fast it took hold.

That's really lovely glass @RainbowZebraWarrior

The sun did sort of break through here - I had ten minutes in the garden at lunchtime. My gardener is coming tomorrow for the first time since the end of September - my landlord pays for her to come once a month as she's been coming for years and planted most of what's here (she's also a friend of his and I think he likes to help keep her in business). She tends to do the bigger jobs and the pruning that needs some expert knowledge, while I potter and tidy up in-between. I'm hoping its dry enough for her to mow the lawn tomorrow as it's already getting quite long.

They’re still damping the fire down this evening. Fortunately, our next journey is from a different station or I’d be asking our local friend for a lift !

The seasons are turning @martha79 and it’s good to get some slithers of sunshine in the garden.

I forgot to tell you lovely lot that I went to a singing day on Saturday with the local music society. Oh my! The conductor and pianist were superb. We sang through sacred choral music from 1400 to present day, with the guy leading it providing historical and analytical information before each piece. It was a wonderful day. I am hoping to join the choir which put the day on (there is an audition and sight singing tho … 😵‍💫😬).

Our clocks went forward this weekend and it was still light at 7pm last night - absolutely lovely. Spring is springing!

Oh a singing day sounds very joyful @Bimblesalong!
you’ve reminded me that I need to book to go and see the dentist @DameProfessorIDareSay-a trip to a garden centre is never a waste of time :)
Lovely candles @RZW.
and a big hello to everyone else
Murky again here this morning. I went to the inaugural meeting of a book club last night which was a meeting to talk about the book club rather than having read the book yet. Ended up giving three people a lift as they don’t drive. I can see this becoming a pattern. I did bond with one of the women over the fact that we both had the same quite lairy track suit bottoms on however (yellow adidas ones) so that’s something. Last day at work for the week which feels like a luxury.
Have a lovely Tuesday all.

I am curious to know where you are.

Morning all,

Have just caught up and have a few moments before getting eldest up (it’s his only late start of the week already sent youngster on his merry way).

It’s currently feeling early Spring now, with a nip in the air morning and evening but heat if the sun breaks through. Fleece on fleece off when outdoors, that’s Spring to me, which is a little reassuring in these unsettling times.

I finally Nigelled and made the 4 jars of marmalade yesterday (which took most of the day) before the Seville oranges got composted whole!

Our favourite walkable butchers is moving in two months, we are special and can have a direct number for delivery but it won’t be the same. It won’t.

I want to zone our garden, and use the work as resistance exercise, that will have to be my Nigelling for a bit, although he has a gardener, oh the life.

The more content our teenagers are the less time we have - it’s a straight line graph equation! when do they go to uni?

I had book group last night too @piscofrisco (I am in two, known as 'normal book group' and 'scary book group') - we had read 'Raising Hare' and all agreed it was very lovely, which doesn't exactly spark heated debate. On the bright side it was at my neighbour's house so no lifts required. What has your new group chosen as its inaugural read?
I had a trip to the garden centre yesterday, mainly to buy a mother's day card, but also purchased a gooseberry bush as there is now a space where the raspberries were, next to the relocated rhubarb. So today's task will be to get that in the ground.
What do mean by 'zone' your garden, @frozendaisy ?

Glad you enjoyed the singing day @Bimblesalong and that's exciting about the choir!

I've signed up to an online singing group while I can't get out to choir - does give me lockdown flashbacks but hopefully it'll be fun.

Yum, marmalade @frozendaisy

It's quite sunny here so far - was awake stupidly early and saw a lovely sunrise. I just had to pop out to post something for work and that was quite a nice walk. Should be a fairly quiet day, fingers crossed.

Just in case Noodle doesn't come back on this straight away, I can confirm that she's in San Fransisco, California (Bay area, IIRC)

A singing day sounds absolutely marvellous @Bimblesalong How wonderful to find a talented and enthusiastic conductor. Best of luck with the joining audition, although I'm sure you will pass with flying colours. Also hope you get back home safe and sound after your break.

The online singing group also sounds ideal for you right now @martha79 although I get what you mean about it smacking of lockdown. I heard mention of Cheltenham about to start on the radio today, and it took me right back to this time in 2020. Crazy times.

Love the sound of both your book groups @SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense Back when I had my café, I used to host knitting groups, book groups and walking groups. I also used to have regular open evenings with local art installations, guest speakers and wine tastings. I really miss those days.

Loving the lairy yellow tracksuit bottom description @piscofrisco I love me an adidas track pant; the brighter the better, in my opinion. My favourites are bright pink with red stripes! I felt sad to hear that your sleepover made you feel homesick, but nice that you had a lovely evening. Kudos to you that you're doing everything you can to try and find your place in your new area. I'd love to have you living near me. I could well imagine book clubs a plenty (mostly Nigel themed, natch) as well as farm shop trips, nature spotting country walks, and all manner of other lovely things. The same goes for the rest of the amazing women on this thread.

Best of luck with the hip replacement next week @DameProfessorIDareSay I need both of mine doing in the next couple of years, and did not know that about the dental treatment.

Gah to your lovely butchers moving @frozendaisy It is happening way too often these days. We have a sinilar problem locally here, too. I feel like screaming 'stop the bus, I want to get off' sometimes at the way - and speed - that life is changing. Also agree with the 'fleece on, fleece off' description of spring. ?Now that's just made me think of Karate Kid!)

I feel the need to say @EphemeraleEudemonia that you are very modest. Your posts are always both eloquent and incredibly educational. Your knowledge is immense, and I never tire of hearing about your traditions.

Ha, so much for a quiet day! Ended up doing a lot of the printing and packing admin for the conference, feel like I've been up and down the stairs a ridiculous number of times.

Gardener came - she's cut the grass and done a load of pruning and clearing so it all looks very tidy. I'd like to sit out in the garden more but have the choice of a metal table and chairs or a floppy lounger which my joints are not a fan of. Maybe the old scruffy bean bag chair I've got in the attic could do on dry days.

I have an urge to spring clean but without the energy. Just run Dettol washing machine cleaner through the machine though, and got a similar one going in the dishwasher, plus a 'French soap' scented wax melt on the go, so lots of fresh smells going on.

San Francisco!

No book yet chosen @SheherazadesSeasonalNonsensethere are to be options put up on the fb group and a vote. So we shall see.
That’s a lovey thing to say RZW. I would happily come and live near you.
A Sunny day on the farm today and I had my most active service user so we went for a 6 mile very fast walk and im achey as a result. He also said a full sentence today-first time any of us have heard him do it! I felt as proud as if it was one of my own kids! Though it has slightly incriminated me as he is my favourite so I share my biscuits with him and He said perfectly
clearly ‘I want biscuits please Wuff’ (they all call me Wuff as it sounds like my name but the less verbal ones can’t quite say my actual name and it’s sort of stuck). So an achievement but also quite funny.
we are badly in need of some new garden furniture @martha79as ours as collapsed in the middle. It’s so expensive though!
off to Bristol tomorrow to see DD2 and go to a gig. So looking forward to seeing her. I’ve made her some brownies and buns and a freezer lasagne.

@SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense I have to ask, why is scary book club scary?!

If it's scary books I will admit to being slightly disappointed

I seem to be the only person in the world that didn't like Raising Hare, I got so bored I gave up half way through, just not my sort of book somehow.

Talking of books, I am about halfway through the Peter Kay now and it has got much better. The language it is written in is very simple which makes it seem a little childish (very short sentences etc), but he is painting an endearing picture of his family life growing up, gently poking fun at things and overall it's turning out to be a nice cosy read after all. At the same time I am listening to Sue Johnston's memoir on Audible and really enjoying that too, she's a real favourite of mine and there is so much more to her than the characters she's famous for.

Was expecting to find out where things stood with new workshop enterprise on Monday, but they put off to today, so heading in as normal, but tbh with a bit of a heavy heart. No technical reason, just a strong gut instinct that things aren't at all what they're supposed to be, but hope to be wrong.

@Bimblesalong Horrible fire. Lovely cow and those ceramics are excellent. Particularly taken with the colour choices in tn the bottom central bowl.
Am always in awe of those with singing voices, also @Martha Think you should definitely drag the chair down and enjoy the garden.

@RainbowZebraWarrior Thank you you're very kind. What a particularly lovely piece of sea glass. If you wear earnings, it would make a lovely one encased in a thin metal band and the light would come through it.
I'm not surprised you miss the cafe days. I suspect that in years to come you may well find yourself involved in creating community gatherings in some way or another.

@frozendaisy Love the 'finally Nigelled' with the marmalade! And yes ah the life, to have an occasional gradener to cover the harder bits now and again.

@piscofrisco Love the monika you've been awarded, and how lovely to be the recipient of that first heard sentence.

@noodlezoodle thank you for asking @SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense that, I'm also hopeful for what a scary book club might be...

@ExquisiteDresses I don't have much reading time at the moment so mainly note books for when they hit the charity shops if people are impressed with them. Funnily enough after seeing those magical Instagram pictures it struck me that some of the magic of them could be lost by reading all the ins and outs.

@DameProfessorIDareSay Garden center wandering is always a salve. Hope the hip replacement goes well, and no I didn't know that about dental work connected to it.

Morning all

Ah that's so lovely about your service user @piscofrisco even if you were incriminated 😁

@ExquisiteDresses you're not alone with Raising Hare - I really wanted to like it but I couldn't get into it. I did like this one about hares - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/434939/the-private-life-of-the-hare-by-john-lewis-stempel/9780857524553

Hoping you get good news about the workshop @EphemeraleEudemonia

Sunny today, which is good as my work conference prep today involves washing things (we have branded t-shirts and tablecloths).

I wasn’t terribly keen on Raising Hare either but then I can’t seem to focus on any books properly at the minute. Which doesn’t bode well for book club!
Happy laundering @martha79
Hope your day is better than you think it will be @EphemeraleEudemonia
Woken up with a sore throat and a headache (and was awake early as DH left at 4.45 for a work trip so I feel groggy tired).
Been trying and failing to renew my driving license on line so will have to go to the post office before I leave for Bristol to see DD2. So a frustrating morning so far and it’s only half past eight! Still, looking forward to seeing my girl, if not the long drive to get there. DD1 (who lives with us) was being spectacularly unpleasant last night (for no reason any of us can see-she just is like that sometimes), so it will actually be a relief to leave her to it for the night. I love her endlessly but she isn’t half hard work at times :(
Have a lovely Wednesday all!

I struggle to focus on books too, I mostly listen on audible. Too much else going on in life (sandwich generation!). Does anyone here use the Finch app for reminders to do things? I started it at Christmas and I rarely stick at anything but this is really working for me. One of my reminders is "no phone after 10" with a view to making myself time to read but mixed results so far. It is helping massively with other aspects of self care and household care though.

@piscofrisco my DD1 is at uni in Bath, last time we visited we went through to Bristol for a gig at the Beacon and it was excellent! Hope you enjoy.
I hope nobody is going to be disappointed with my explanation! Scary book group was set up by Scary Sarah - she's actually not very scary but she has absolutely no discernible sense of humour and a real knack of making conversation fall flat, and a way of making me feel very small and very silly like a terrifying old-school headmistress. She moved to the village during covid I think and is missing the book group she had at her last home - but she'd lived there all her life, I think, and they were a really long-standing group of friends. So she's trying to recreate that here I think and we are just not really up to scratch. And also in the group is her friend Harriet who is quite intense and brings every conversation - even when it was a nice fluffy book about nature - back to world politics. They are a nice group but conversation doesn't flow naturally and I never think yay it's book group tonight.
(An aside: the first book group I ever joined, in the late 1990s, was run by a library and had a real mix of characters. Including Clive, who had only ever really enjoyed one book in his whole life which was the biography of Margaret Thatcher - a wonderful woman - and Jenny, who didn't think any books were as good as Harry Potter and even the later ones (they were being published at the time) were a disappointment as there was not enough quidditch and school stuff!)
That hare book looks lovely @martha79 but I cannot add any more to my pile. Cannot. It is out of control.

Looking in quickly over breakfast, will have a proper catch up when I’m home. Love the idea of a scary bookclub. I was in two but remain in “posh book club”, which I’ve been in for 15 years. The other ladies don’t know I call it that and the discussion is good. The other bookclub was the ladies in our street and rapidly descended into most not reading the book, so disbanded.

today is sunny, so we are doing the outdoors things of our poor creaking legs and bloody stumps of feet will allow us, so may steps in the last few days. Tomorrow the weather is looking frisky, so is definitely indoors in the nearby galleries. Hopefully, our train won’t be delayed.

we had a marvellous evening in a nearby pub which holds open sessions for music. I toasted dad with his favourite Scots whisky and joined the singing of folk songs and songs from the 70s. An elderly chap in a 3-piece tweed suit and tie led the singing of traditional songs, with another chap singing songs from the 70s. A young man played songs he had written - just lovely. A good night.

We use the finches app here. DD introduced me to it after it was recommended to her via CAMHS.

Gosh the wind here is crazy already, and the warning doesn't begin until 5am tomorrow. I was all set for my usual beach trip this morning, but it's not worth being blown out to sea! I already use walking poles and have no desire to fall flat on my arse on the pebbles. Not a bad thing in a way to have an enforced rest day. I'm pottering in the conservatory. My plan was to plant more seeds, but the ones I really want to plant are still in transit after 8 days. Sodding Royal Mail.

Chuckling at the book club descriptions. I guess they are always likely to attract 'characters' We have one at our library, but I can't do it, because I just know that I will end up fending off someone weird.

I happened upon the Sunday Times supplements yesterday in M&S café and have just been flicking through. Gosh the food reviewer lady is annoying and try hard. I think she thinks she's edgy - as they all do - in describing the place she visited as "a bit horny, a bit dirty, and brilliant" 🙄 She also then went on to wax lyrical about regularly visiting North East England and her favourite haunts. She describes the fish restaurant I used to work in as "the best fish and chip shack" it doesn't and never has done 'chips'. It's doesn't sell fish and chips at all. Not as in the battered haddock kind of stuff. It specialises in wood fired locally caught fish like monkfish and turbot with garlic and rosemary potatoes cooked on a barbecue. She's probably never even been and is just parroting (incorrectly) Jay Rayner's enthusiasm for the place.

Haha. Sorry for the rant.