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!

I hate how bits of photos are cut off when posted...there is wording above identifying the location as Tynemouth.

There aren't really any major department stores in Durham, (there are some smaller shops and independent boutiques) but we have a John Lewis and a Fenwick here in Newcastle if you reckon you could swing by here on your way past (my advice would be to look to park at one of the metro stations that has parking and get the metro into town; get off at either Haymarket or Monument)

Ah, I love those old vintage style seaside prints. There's actually a guy at Tynemouth Market who does them on wall tiles. He's been there for about 30 years, and I used to have some of them in my kitchen.

Speaking of which, I nipped down the Low Lights yesterday morning (if Low Lights rings a bell with anyone, it's likely because Sam Fender mentions it in his songs a lot; it being an area of the fish quay here, and the name of the pub / tavern he worked in which now uses his Brit awards as beer pumps) The tarvern has a similar style sign outside. I watched the fishing boats come in and the ferry from Amsterdam, but the beach there isn't accessible to me, so I hot footed it back to Whitley and picked some magnificent sea glass.

Ah happy memories of those books @martha79 mum was obsessed - they’re probably on her bookshelf still.

It’s been a wonderful day on the canal today. There’s a huge meet up of traditional working canal boats at the boat museum over Easter weekend. There’s few days before, they travel in convoy along the canal near us, making wonderful viewing. I hear they are now all clustered up at the canal basin I the city. They’ll move off first thing Friday and then return along the canal on Monday. A real treat.

@thebabessavedme Sorry about all the stressors especially your DF.
I looked at that kit too, wondering if it could be adapted for a van...
This may be a bit area dependent but Fat Lama rentals is one of my ways of thriving/surviving on lowered income. They've been brought out by Hygglo.
As Fat Lama if you have skills I found people could be offered them as 80% of the rental price. with 20% money to the platform. Don't know if we can do this with Hygglo yet.
Lots of ways to live better than one thinks on little,^ and appreciate the sense of success when you can bring in a good dinner within a small budget.
Hope the pub full of customers brings you something.@RainbowZebraWarrior interesting pics and post. Still no chance or crocosmia at Lidle, but *heads up for all: carrots, spuds, sweede. parsnip and onions all at 4p to 8p! @piscofrisco Thankyou. Tbh I've accepted I may not be able to preventgetting ill again, but hopefully the changing season will help.
@DameProfessorIDareSay Ah thanks. Looks like Llama felting may be out of my league then, but I love the idea of a minimalist nest.@leporello hopefully everyone knows to click the picture. @CrushingOnRubies agree about seeing everyone's gardens coming back into flower.
@martha79 Gosh tuppence to cross brings back memories! I was young when I read it purely because it was set in Liverpool, and afraisd I was horribly unsympathetic, as she'd had a fair amount of life and education before the family fell, so I thought she didn't have so much to complain about!😮 @Bimblesalong wonderful boats, excellent that they come to you. (we lived on one for a time, but it was a ropey old one rather than restored)
Huge thanks for the crochet link and introduction to such an informative well laid out site. My abilities are basic, but just reading it has brought on my understanding and knowledge hugely, and hopefully with google I'll be able to work out some of the stitches, and have a go at some things. Though in the meantime I might try testing out what I think I've understood.

Pink moon, falafel, smoked tofu, wraps, smoked chilli tofu, macaroni mushrooms truffle bake, chestnut flatbread, and spring flowers

We loved the Pilates @martha79and thats from someone who loathes exercise (except walks). We have booked in for a few more sessions although it’s super expensive so probably not sustainable long term. I might try and supplement it with some mat Pilates from YouTube at home .

i would love to go to the Sam Fender pub. Love the fella.
Very much like the vintage prints. I used to have a few massive vintage tube posters up when I lived in London-sort of informational ones from the twenties and thirties. They always used to get lots of positive compliments. And all our family have the same vintage Bovril advert poster up somewhere in the house, in honour of my Dad who ate Bovril every day on toast (as I do most days too).
I love a narrow boat. If I hadn’t met DH it was always my plan to sell my house and with the equity purchase a Dutch Barge and rent a mooring to live on, specifically in the Limehouse basin. I had it all planned out. I was going to be very bohemian with my little Jack Russell’s in little life jackets sun bathing on the roof, and run a little business doing counselling on board alongside my normal work. I still think of it quite wistfully (when the DSS’s are being testing in particular 😂). It’s still my back up plan, though possibly not very sustainable for older age if I’m lucky enough to get there.

Tired this morning as stayed up late watching the space launch. I found it fascinating. I hope they are ok up there.
Just realised I’ve not read the book for book club which is Monday and as I’ve a busy ish weekend coming up I’m going to struggle. It’s snuck up on me somewhat that. Will have to see if I can audible it on my way to work.
I helped to deliver 5 lambs on Tuesday. It’s truly the most magical time of year on the farm. Hoping for more today, but I have a less amenable co farmer with me, so not as much chance today I think, though we might be able to go and watch for a bit if I’m lucky.
Have a lovely Thursday all

Morning all. Ahhh finally, the last day of term. DD and her school pals are planting 400 trees on the school site this morning then school ends at lunchtime. We are going to see the new Mario movie this afternoon.

It's frosty here this morning and the Robin is sitting happily in my bird feeder, apparently having it all to himself. I'll keep refilling with seed till temps pick up, but I am done with filling the coconut shells. Too many noisy, greedy starlings!

Canals always look so magical and romantic. Such a shame we don't have any near us.

Very best of luck @thebabessavedme and hoping you hear very soon.

Here are some of my treasures from yesterday. I also found a few marbles which I love to find. Amazing how the little beggars seem to blend in with the pebbles until your eyes focus on the colour. I am going to make some hanging light catchers over the hols.

Glad you enjoyed pilates @piscofrisco

Lovely sunny day here but quite cold - I have some washing to hang out and some work to do, but a fairly quiet one. Also need to order some more compost and containers as I underestimated and still have quite a few seeds to plant.

Also love a vintage poster, I have this one in my 'office' at home.

I would love the Sam Fender pub @RainbowZebraWarrior , we've seen him live a couple of times - magic, such a brilliant atmosphere. Can't believe your schools only break up today, we've been out for nearly a week here.

I had a money-off voucher for a new reformer pilates studio last year and must say the dds and I all absolutely loved it. But then couldn't afford to continue. Gah.

Canal barges remind me of one of my best ever summer holidays, aged 12, up the Thames in a narrowboat. Brilliant memories, including having to fish my brother out of the river as he was approached by a very aggressive swan...yikes!

Lovely sunshine here, going to get some beautiful flowers and visit my parents' grave later, then singing at the Maundy Thursday service in the evening.

Thanks for all the good wishes, am keeping everything crossed. Will look into your suggestion @EphemeraleEudemonia later when my DGS is collected. We are to the cinema in a minute, I'm pretty sure he would rather go with @RainbowZebraWarrior as you are seeing Mario, frankly I would rather poke my eyes out a blunt stick, so Magic Faraway Tree it is, just hope none of mates see him😂

Oh yes @leporello , Lovely memories of holidays on the Thames in a narrowboat.

We had a deal. I went to see Mario with DD then she comes with me to see Magic Faraway Tree with me on Monday. Mario movie was good, but not as good as the last one. Hope you enjoyed Faraway Tree.

We have had a very successful end to the term. DD received her first ever 100% attendance award, it was confirmed that her GCSE French class is to go ahead, despite there only being four pupils, and the deputy head has offered to privately tutor her (for free) so that she can take History as an extra GCSE (they moved the blocks around which meant that it clashed with triple science) Her deputy head really is an absolute diamond!

Oh that’s amazing RZW. She has come such a long way!
Just about to finish work until Tuesday. A magical day, we have delivered lambs, bottle fed orphans, been for a walk in the bluebell wood, which smelled amazing, and eaten lots of chocolate. Now home, made a meat lasagne and a spinach and ricotta one, and a hot cross bun bread and butter pudding for tomorrow’s family lunch. And rellllaaaax
A Happy Friday night to all…

Hope you've all had a good Good Friday!

Sounds like an excellent day @piscofrisco

Glad there's such good news for DD at school @RainbowZebraWarrior

My day has consisted of a massage, spicy chips from nice Indian/ fusion cafe, and reading on the sofa.

Oh how marvellous, Pisco! (The lambs, bluebell wood and lasagnes) Hope you enjoy your time off my lovely. I've been meaning to say for ages that I was similarly impressed by your DD's turnaround - the one you mentioned had some mental health issues a few years ago and is now absolutely living her best life - long may it continue all round ❤️

Loving all the good Good Fridays, and the thriving dc. Ours was quiet - but here's a photo of dd1 and I rewarding ourselves with drinks and a view after grave tending duty yesterday.

(You can't really make them out but there are alpacas on the left hand side.)

A massage and spicy chips sounds like a very good day, and my do they look delicious!

I had an hour down the beach early this morning. It's my saviour, even though I still had to fit in Mum's dishes, washing, and her brunch requirements. She requested a bagel with cream cheese and pineapple. I stupidly toasted the bagel, and had ro make it all again. She and my Dad have 'ordered' chicken arrabiata pasta for dinner tomorrow. I thought I was all sorted until she said "there must be celery, aubergine and green olives in it, or your Dad won't be happy" I actually think he would be fine if I just heated him up a can of tomato soup, but I guess she is from a generation who has pandered to a man's every whim from day dot...

The wind is crazy here already and I fear for next door's trampoline and shed roof again. They have been indulging in a party since midday and the kids are all still on the trampoline and the adults are all now completely hammered. They are lovely, middle class, privately educated people, but have absolutely zero common sense and never pay any heed to weather warnings whereas I am a total neurotic about such things

Here's this morning's beach photo. Hope everyone else is well and enjoying or not feeling too under pressure for any Easter festivities if you aren't feeling it for whatever reason.

Oh that looks like a fabulous view and a richly rewarded couple of drinks. Sending much love to you and a very happy Easter x

Enjoying all the Good Friday posts. Average Friday here … which is actually good as I actually got some house work done and just relaxed in a first day of the holidays way.

@RainbowZebraWarriorthank you for the tip about Newcastle. Not sure I will be able to go there this time. DParents want it to be more Durham centric than that. But Newcastle is on the list of places to visit at some point

@PricklyBob I'm the other way round, I did start on the Christmas threads a few years ago but they move faster now with more posters and I just couldn't keep up with the last one. I like that with this one you can post as much or as little as you like. I will probably be visiting Edinburgh later in the year and have put that shop on my list of things to do.

@martha79 I loved Helen Forrester as a teenager in the 80s too.

@RainbowZebraWarrior that's fantastic for DD, the school move has clearly been transformational.

@Bimblesalong I'm a keen crocheter too, all my work is generally for the Woolly Higs charity so I get to make things without cluttering my house up.

It sounds as though there are a lot of us with elderly parent care issues. Sandwich generation indeed. My DF is in a home, my DM has mental health issues and forgetfulness and now DFIL has received a cancer diagnosis, it is a lot to be dealing with (I also have two ND young adult DCs, two part time jobs and am a school governor). I do feel very weighed down at times.

However I planted lots of seeds today, DS came and helped at the allotment for a bit and I made hot cross buns. Forget to take any photos. They were so much nicer than supermarket ones.

Great news @RainbowZebraWarrior what a star she is.

Awesome chippage. Please post one thru the internet to me.

We’ve had a fairly lazy day here as we are tired after a busy few weeks. I’ve a couple of alternative Easter eggs to hide for ds2, a keen cook, in the form of different tiers of excellence in the form of canned tomatoes. Should make for a fun hunt on Sunday. I’m taking mum to the theatre tomorrow to see Henry V, which we are looking forward to. VN.

Really great news about DD @RainbowZebraWarrior - I’ve been following her progress ever since the enforced school move and it’s wonderful to hear things have turned out so well for her. It’s funny how things which seem extremely difficult and challenging at the time can often turn out for the best and good to try and remember that for any further challenges along the line (easier said than done I know). I’ve been trying to teach my own DD this - so many things that have felt like setbacks have actually helped to set her on the right track. Your DD’s biggest advantage is that she has such a lovely mum - I’m sure she knows it!
Loving all the beaches and bluebells and other spring outings. Happy Easter to all!

Sorry @RainbowZebraWarriori totally missed your update about your DD. That’s amazing, sounds like she is really thriving in her new school.