The Year Round Nigel Slater Discussion Thread - Part 5

[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 on Mumsnet between November and February each year - the Christmas Chronicles being a book written by Nigel Slater full of winter recipes and anecdotes - It has been running for a few years, and the contributors 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, grab a drink and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

Will catch up properly tomorrow, as for now my head is done in with my house shaking due to Tynemouth's Mouth of Tyne festival. Tonight is Ministry of Sound Classical and I cannot wait for it to stop. Tomorrow is Self Esteem. Can't remember who Sunday's headliner is, but wish it would just bog off for another year.

Oh I feel for you @RainbowZebraWarrior - I'd quite like to see both Ministry of Sound Classical and Self Esteem but I wouldn't want them inflicted on me at top volume. There's a big music festival in the park by my new house in a couple of weeks, I think I'll most likely be staying at the old house that weekend!

Am currently at the new house, got a delivery due between 7-11am.. obviously my brain interpreted this as 'must wake up at 4am'... good news is that I have electricity here now. And it's lovely and quiet - although a bit echoey at the moment as all the furniture I've got in consists of a small coffee table and a bean bag chair. Got a wax melt on the go to try to make the place smell like 'me' rather than the sickly plug in air fresheners that were everywhere.

'Only' due to get up to about 27C here today, but then it seems to be sticking around that temperature for a couple of weeks. Bleurgh.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I completely get the noise intrusion. Last year a festival near us broke every single requirement of their approval - number of people exceeded, volume exceeded, curfew of 11pm abandoned in favour of an all lighter. The police intervened at 4am on Sunday morning. Inexplicably they have beenngiven permission for another festival in August. I am absolutely dreading it. It's worse in this sort of heat because you can't even close the windows.

We have a local family festival on this weekend but it's the other side of town and strictly adheres to it's curfew.

Quiet day today. I need to plan a session I am running in a few weeks for young people who are at risk of becoming NEETs. I am going to talk about how volunteering can help build skills for a job. The lady who runs the sessions is amazing and I am going to find out how to nominate her for an MBE or something. It's a former mining community which has had a tough few decades and she has brought in millions of pounds worth of sponsorship and investment in young people's programmes over the last 20 years.

I feel like s bit of a whinging git, but I think the problem with MOS last night was the never ending hours of Bass combined with an easterly wind blowing the sound right to me. I do reckon they broke the sound limits too. Mind, I certainly didn't complain a few years ago when I could listen to every word of Paul Weller in my garden. Hopefully Self Esteem will be less Bass-y tonight. Sunday's headliner is James which I might rather enjoy.

She sounds amazing @petitpasta and I would definitely nominate her. I used to nominate fellow Civil servants from my department and it's fairly straight forward. (As well as being a lovely thing to do)

@MichaelmasDaisiesAndAutumSunset Good to hear about the honey. Also that DDog is being nore human orientated. Animals can be so human like with their emotional awareness eh?

Hoping youre doing ok @piscofrisco after your busy week. My waitrose driver was saying last night that he took his sons on the two hour puffin boat rrio a couple of weeks ago and the weather eas vile. They were all sea sick.

Sickly plug ins were everywhere when I got the keys to my last flat @martha79 Judging by the amount of boxer shorts and socks I found behind all the radiators, I reckon the previous occupant was a bloke with a foot odour issue. My brain also does that when I have an early start. It's like it starts poking me at 3 or 4am going "Rainbow! Rainbow!! Must Not Sleep In Today!!"

Had a busy but rather pleasing morning pottering. Took DD to Sainsbury's at 8am for Pokemon cereal (before more scalpers buy it up and put it on ebay!) Made a nice chunky candle out of a messy sheet of foundation wax thats been sitting around for ages. Also glazed a little clay dish I made ages ago. Used some slightly sparkly mica powder so hopefully it doesn't look like something a kid made at nursey. I've left it to dry in the conservatory (away from floof and whiskers!)

I am now just lying on ny bed waiting for Dad to arrive with more honey jars for me to sterlise. Catching up with last nights Gogglebox which is my favourite guilty pleasure. I bloody adore Julian Clary and his risqué chat with Nigel Havers. Very excited about the game tonight although I am guaranteed to fall asleep!

Beach was fab yesterday. Nice and cool. 3 hours gently meandering, plodging, sitting, and chatting with folk. Found myself a nice chonk of driftwood to plonk down on. Nowt massivly exciting found, but still Very Lovely.

Cloudy with a high of 20 today. Doable. Very doable. More pottering shall ensue.

eesh our old house was next to Knebworth. I’m a glad we aren’t there this weekend as it’s two nights of Iron Maiden!

We had great weather for the puffins but I can see how it would be a nightmare if choppy!

I will be at Owls in the park @martha79and maybe Tramlines! So glad you are getting things ready for your new nest!

a big hello to everyone else x

mercifully cooler today-about to go and get my nails done then trawl round the neighbourhood looking for DD1’s lost cat which has been staying with us whisky her dad was away and whom she let out against all advice. And is now refusing to even look for him. I’m so fed up with her.

anyway - lovely Saturday to all x

@RainbowZebraWarriorsorry probably not what you want to hear but saw Ministry of Sound Classical last year and it was brilliant. I’m not a fan of dance music or classical music but together it was amazing.

I am very hungover after a work bbq last night. Was only supposed to spend the one night at my parents who live closer to the party. But going to spend tonight too for a bit of TLC even if it is self inflicted. Feel like a teen again after a party . Currently drinking flat lemonade watching Wimbledon. Feel too delicate to laze in the sun but might go for a sea swim later.

Sea swim will be just the ticket. Extra points if your parents make you a sort of egg sausage and chip Saturday tea.

Having another bbq!! With burgers, coleslaw from last night there was a lot left over… and salady bits

Sorry about the hangover @CrushingOnRubies but sea swim and barbecue sounds like just the thing.

@piscofrisco let me know if/when you're around if you fancy a cuppa! I haven't quite decided whether to avoid or embrace Tramlines weekend as I'll still have a choice of two houses to stay in at that point.

I've just ordered my new bed, mattress (one with a wool layer on top) and bedside tables - that was a frightening amount of money, although my lovely dad has given me a contribution towards it. Spent the rest of the afternoon napping and feeling queasy - I think the early start, heat and activity have not been a good combination.

Hello all.

Sorry to hear about your DD1 driving you mad @piscofrisco Did you manage to find the cat? If I'm right, she's back from Uni? Do you think she's been masking whilst away and is now wallowing in full ADHD mode now she is home? I know it's a thing, although not helpful in the slightest for you. Sending hugs my lovely.

It all sounds like a lot of expense @martha79 and I'm not surpirsed you are feeling a bit queasy / shattered. You've done amazing, but hope you can have a bit of chill out time.

Hope you've managed to get rid of the hangover @CrushingOnRubies and you enjoy BBQ #2. It's raining here, so no alfresco eating for us. I have, however, made a couple of dozen sausage rolls with some marmite sausages I got yeaterday. The gig last night would have been right up my street, but the awful thumping Bass was just annoying. Back in the day, I'd have loved it and would have been surrounded by folk off their nuts on drugs, whereas I would feel high from the music alone. I particularly love William Orbit's version of Adagio for Strings. A proper hairs stand up on the back of your neck tune! The actual venue is stunning, too as it takes place within the grounds of Tynemouth Priory and Castle. Apparently loads of folk last night were confused to see a fella walk in with an ironing board under his arm. He seemingly set up a picnic on it. Surely a lightweight folding table would have been easier to carry? That's the beauty of festivals though, eh? The sights you see as well as the sounds you hear.

Does anyone have any dahlias in flower yet? I have one that looks like it's about to burst open. Looks to be a deep pink. Molly Raven, at a guess. I never label them as I always figure I will remember what they are once they bloom!

I planted some dahlias for Mum this year, and also some freesia. One has flowered today (out of the 20 corms planted) It's a cheery yellow and right outside the back door where Mum can see it (pic attached)

Right. Time to get the England shirt on in readiness for the build up. DD keeps saying she's happy as either France or Spain will be in the final and she loves both.

No DD1 lives with us full time. She works (earns more than me and enjoys her job and is doing well), but she is a prickly character. Contributes nothing really, financially, or practically to the house and is frankly pretty rude and entitled. She actually finds it offensive if we ask her to help with chores or even get some shopping in. She is 20 so I expect a bit of this but it is extreme and has been for the last two years. I strongly suspect neuro diversity but she has such black and white thinking-and unfortunately she has resolutely decided that any kind of autism disorders are ‘made up’ (which is insulting to her diagnosed sister and to me, as it’s always been my work).

we had a huge row last night as she was affronted that I was annoyed with her for not looking for her own cat and told me to shut up a few too many times. I very rarely get that angry so I think it shocked her a bit and I’ve told her in no uncertain terms that we must see a change in her behaviour. So we’ll see. We have had this discussion a few times over the past few years and nothing changes for long. I love her but she isn’t fun to live with at all. It makes me very sad.
cat still awol :(

DD2 is diagnosed inattentive ADD and currently
in Taiwan. Where there is a huge typhoon. This is not good for my anxiety.

Just going to settle down with some dinner and ready myself for the game. DSS and his pal need to be picked up but that’s DH’s job this evening so Im having a nice glass of chilled Minute.

I can confirm a sea swim is a good hangover cure. Love the ingenuity of taking an ironing board as a collapsible table to a festival 😂

I’ve got one Dhalia going well. The other had flowers but seems to have now died :(

I recognise taking ironing boards to parties, it is quite common in Belgium, especially around the New Year... used because ironing boards are often lightweight and you can get quite a few glasses and bottles on it. I think my mother would have roared with laughter if she had seen it... and possibly have asked us to do it with schooners of sherry. Thinking about this, I must see if I can get a decent fino or maybe a white port to have in this weather... #notleadinganyoneastray,honest

Evening, we’re off to the pub where DD works to watch the football, she got us all entry wristbands yesterday. It will be the first time I have been there since she’s been working there.

@RainbowZebraWarrior sympathy re loud music, but James should be amazing, we saw them at a pre-tour warm up gig a few months ago and this year marks (I think) 40 years of me following them, they just get better and better.

Dahlias - I have never had any before but I picked up an in-bloom one on a large pot a few weeks ago and it seems to have settled well planted out in a fairly shady corner of the garden. I put a load of vermiculite in the hole for drainage as I might leave it out over winter (we are in the SE and it is a sheltered corner). Flowers are a lovely apricot colour.

@piscofrisco I’m so with you on the volunteering, both my DCs (who are both ND) have done it, DS particularly has done it almost full time at times, regularly and over several years. He works in the outdoors and his volunteering has been hugely additive for his CV as well as giving him confidence and skills. I’m sorry DD1 is being such hard work. I am very angered by the way ADHD and autism are being used by right wing media as examples of people getting something for nothing, soaring benefits bills etc it must be really hard for you.

Gosh that sounds difficult @piscofrisco I have said it before, and I will say it again, but it's like banging your head against a brick wall when you are dealing with a person who won't or can't see or accept that they may be ND. When I was diagnosed with Autism, my psychiatrist said I had an amazing sense of awareness of my own condition, and therefore how it perhaps impacted both myself and others around me. It really helped me understand myself massively. I think this is often the case, as in the difference between folk with awareness versus lack of awareness (I see it Everywhere Every Day. It's like a Gaydar to me) Totally get that you obviously love your DD, but it is exhausting dealing with a person in denial.

I am also permanently angered by the utter demonising of folk with Autism and ADHD @ElegantDresses As someone who is diagnosed with both, I get increasingly peed off with those who tout it as a Superpower. See also those who say the diagnosis is given out like sweeties 🙄There was (yet another) phone in on Jeremy Vine's radio programme last week about it (totally playing into the Benefit Scrounger Narrative) Absolutely all of his callers said that they had ND diagnoses, and that it really didn't affect their day to day lives. Well that's bloody funny, because in order to get a diagnosis, it has to affect / impact your social / family life quite severely in at least two areas via the DSM5 criteria. I also know from bitter experience that it might be doable to mask - to a degree - at 20 or 30 years old, but by 40 or 50 you can become incapable, exhausted and burned out. That is to say nothing of the folk who have much more severe forms, other co morbitidies and / or learning disabilities alongside.

Sorry. Bit of a hobby horse of mine, and one I bang a drum for a lot.

As you were.

Alfresco meal for us this evening - using up a lot of unused party food from Christmas. Although the oven was on I didn't really need to do much with it so I think that counts as a lazy dinner.

I had a fit of enthusiasm earlier and decanted and labelled everything in the cupboard that houses our nuts, seeds and dried fruit. It's much easier to see everything now and should stop DH asking me to order walnuts on every shop because they don't shout their presence when he opens the cupboard!

I also juiced some clementine that were past their bedtime and am currently sipping it topped up with fizzy water. It's rather refreshing.

Love the party food summer buffet @petitpasta

Has anyone got a good recipe for beef burgers? I feel a bit daft asking but any tips sincerely welcome. Can't seem to get them right. I think maybe I need fattier mince and more salt for a start.

NVN really but with some salad on a hot evening, quite nice and the family like them.

@piscofrisco sending you a calming cuppa or a nice cool glass of something. Young adult parenting, especially with ND in the mix is super tricky. ☕️🍹

I'm sure you'll love the new bed once it's here @martha79 I have one with wool in the padding and its much cooler in the heat than one with a synthetic topper.

Still not cool enough to sleep upstairs at the moment so I'm learning to like sleeping on sofa in kitchen. In fact today I haven't even put the back cushions onto the sofa or taken off my pillow so sofa looks like proper day bed.

@RainbowZebraWarrior sympathies about the music. Last summer we had a campervan and it felt like every Saturday evening, wherever we were, we would be treated to the sound of wedding party music from a hotel or bougie country house wedding venue. 🕺💃💿

I will join you pillion on your hobby horse!

DD1 has seemingly no idea how she comes across or that she sees the world quite differently to other people, which causes her issues. It’s my job and I’m good at it, but when it’s your own family member sometimes it’s hard to retain your professional persona. Hopefully she will go and think about last night a bit. I’ve made a rota for household jobs so hopefully she will get into some routine on that at least which will mean we resent her less for her failure to contribute. Let’s hope so. We can’t carry on as we are and at 20 she needs to learn how to pitch in to a household. I should have been a bit harder on her when she was a bit younger on this, but I had DD2 and her mental health stuff to deal with, plus house fires, work, Dh’s ex wife etc etc… and so it went.

Anyway what do we think the score will be?

Your tea looks lovely @petitpasta!

excitingly and because I am half way down the bottle of Minute now I have just booked a campervan for next weekend and Dh and I are going to Norfolk in it! We have never been in a campervan before so any tips gratefully received!

That looks delicious!

That reminds me of going into Newcastle city centre during the summer months and enduring the stag and hen parties. Also, my Mum treated me to a relaxing night in our local village hotel when DD was 9 months old. Cue fisticuffs and police called at 2am. I was home by 5am.

It's lovely if weather is nice and you can mostly sit outside and eat outside.

Don't take too many clothes and shoes as usually not much storage (unless you've booked a big one). Our last trip saw DH bring 4 pairs of shoes which I kept tripping over.

If you're away for more than a night or two its good to have your own toilet bags so you can shower at same time. That contradicts my advice not to take much stuff 😆

Take a torch and easy to pull on outfit for night time loo visits unless you have on board loo.

Take simple food. Everything tastes good outside. We used to keep emergency supplies of M&S tinned stuff and were always quite pleased when we had to eat it.

Take rubbish bag and washing bag. There is very little space and you have to tidy up before you set off (not a bad thing really).

Make sure you note height of van for height restricted carparks.

Have a lovely time.

Oh, when it's your own family member, it's a whole different ball game, eh? Enjoy the rest of your wine and hopefully switch off for a bit. Score wise, I hesitate to predict. Owt could happen. Fingers crossed, though.

Speaking of Neurdivergence, DD wants to go to bed and read. She won't go without me. She can't cope with the TV being on, but I can watch the game on my phone as long as it is on silent.

Such fun.