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!

He is all sorted now, and there was no need for surgery, thankfully. Sheesh. What an eventful day.

I'd only been on the beach a couple of minutes when I was approached by a lovely German lady working for the Uni here. She's organising an international sea glass conference and wanted to pick my brains for local knowledge. She took my number as apparently I am a bit of an expert. She's also going to listen to the podcast.

Got home to find a cup of tea waiting for me and a bit of a treasure hunt of clues leading me to an amazing Snoopy lego set that's just come out. DD is such a star, bless her!

Dropped a full tub of tzadziki on the floor at 6.30am this morning. Slippers and floor covered. Dad had an appointment with his plastic surgeon. Two more skin cancers removed. I'll spare the full details of the main one he had removed a couple of months ago, but suffice to say that the steroids are hindering the healing and the surgeon had to do something about his now visible skull. Two more months of twice weekly dressing there. Anyway, we then had the fun of the A&E hokey cokey. Eventually picked him up a couple of hours ago and when we got home the compost heap was on fire. Put that out, then I got home and dropped a massive bottle of chilli jam on the floor. Trainers ruined, floor dented, sauce and glass everywhere. Just as Waitrose knocked on the door...

Anyway, happy friday, all x

Gosh what a day @RainbowZebraWarrior. I'm glad your dad is ok and I hope you can sit down for the evening now. A sea glass conference sounds exciting!

I've not done a lot but the Ocado man has been and my cupboards, including the slidey-out spice one, are very full. Sort of Japanese style noodles with prawns for tea - planned for a few more of the pickled veg on there but I couldn't open the jars!

Oh my goodness @RainbowZebraWarrior what a day, hope you are having a more relaxing evening

Well, today is obviously a hospital day for several of us, I went in for my two week pathway appointment (above the knees and below the waist) and was seen by a delightful consultant and an even nicer HCA. Now, I always thought the term, age related degeneration was bad, but I fear the latest, atrophy is in my mind, much worse!

A scan was undertaken, and that is when the trouble started, I hopped (OK, I hoicked myself) onto the table and the moment I attempted to put my legs in the stirrups, the cramps in my hips started... cue discussion on how I have a short body and the table was not built for short stops like me. Probe was initiated and frankly would not advance... so a snatch and grab was initiated and a comment about alternatives. Knickers retrieved and it has been agreed that I need a biopsy under general...

As I attempted to get out of the building, the surgical team rang me to book me in for a pre-op app't and a theatre date... apparently "they like to see their older patients quickly", I am supposing that it must be before we croak!

I went into TK Maxx hoping that a St Eval candle might salvage the afternoon... and there were NONE... FML!

For everyone doing the hospital shuffle, I hope everything resolves in your favour and that the cheap St Evals are in your local TK Maxx's.

@RainbowZebraWarriorthat’s a very full on day! That’s exciting about the German sea glass lady. And how lovely of your dd.

Have made it to Tavira, Portugal. After bracing myself for Faro airport it was breeze. Hotel is lovely, with sunbed, pool & pool bar all within 10 strides of each other. And the best thing is that no under 14 are allowed in the hotel so no screaming splashing kids.

Oh that looks and sounds divine! (Especially the no under 14's!) Enjoy x

Yowsers. That sounds like an ordeal and a half my lovely. Sending huge but very gentle hugs to you x

Ooh. That all looks amazing.

I have had a late hour in the garden tackling some weeds tonight. Not made much of a dint, but actually appreciating my garden in all it's wildness (and it's relatively cool here now. Sending love to those who are still struggling with crazy heat - did you all get the government warning about wildfires tonight?)

Also. I saw and heard a kingfisher. In My Garden!!!

What a lovely way to remember him after such a tragedy.

@RainbowZebraWarrior what a day! That's like a year in 24 hours! I hope you have a better rest of the weekend

Gosh what a whirlwind @RainbowZebraWarrior glad he is ok. Awesome seaglass.

I am wearing a cardigan. Yaaaaaaay! Today’s heat in Florence and Pisa almost finished me off but we’ve had an amazing week. Looking forward to a few cuppas over the weekend and to pottering in the garden.

It is down to 24 here now, was 35 this afternoon. Just taken the washing in, bone dry, it would normally be dewy after nightfall.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I’ve only just come in from the garden, I’ve been using the patio table as a desk and catching up with some paperwork, the garden is full of the fragrance of buddleia and lavender. I had the alarm twice, it didn’t seem too loud to me but lots have been saying it frightened them to death.

@LatteLady oh dear, what a palava. Hope you get your cheap St Evals soon.

@CrushingOnRubies that sounds like my sort of hotel. We went to one in Gran Canaria a couple of months ago that wasn’t adults only but had an adults only pool and bar which was strictly enforced and well away from the non-adults pool, it was lovely and peaceful.

Oh wow, what a day @RainbowZebraWarrior , full of ups and downs! Great ending with the kingfisher though.

@CrushingOnRubies Portugal sounds lovely. Enjoy your holiday.

@LatteLady your appointment sounds extremely trying. You have my sympathies.

Poor old DH is going through the mill a bit with hospital appointments at the moment. He has kidney cancer but they can't decide what to do about it. We had to go down to Ottery St Mary for yesterday's appointment . We planned to have a mooch around the town as I have been eyeing it up as a possible sales outlet. It was too darned hot though so we ended up going home. From what I saw though I don't think it's right.

And speaking of antiques, have a look at this little beauty! It's an early 20th century salt cellar and I love it!

Sorry to hear of your travails @LatteLadysending hope for a cheap st Eval your way.

Portugal looks beautiful @CrushingOnRubies. We are off to Montenegro next Saturday -unfortunately not in an adult only hotel (and with 3 out of 4 kiddos in tow).

Lots of love to DH @confusedmeanderingsI hope he gets some suggested treatments soon. That is a beautiful salt cellar. Joy in small things.

I would love to go back to Florence @Bimblesalong-I spent four days there when I went interailing aged 19. I don’t think DH would care for it much-he doesn’t enjoy an art gallery as I do and maybe it would be a bit slow for him-but that’s why I liked it way back when. It felt much sleepier to me than the other places in Italy that I went-despite it being August and busy as. How did you find it?

A kingfisher @RZW!What a joyful thing after a horrible day.

I love a little spice rack cupboard @martha79
we don’t have one here and make do with everything muddled up in a cardboard box that we can pull out. I had a lovely one in our old house.

We too had 35 degrees yesterday but I’m hoping that’s the last of the extreme heat for a bit -is your forecast similar @ElegantDresses? Low to mid twenties and white cloud next week? Still no rain to speak of though -35% chance of rain on Wednesday. I’ve woken up to a mercifully cool breeze through all the open windows this morning which is gracefully received as I think I had some sort of mild heat stroke when I got home yesterday. My legs felt so heavy and I was a touch dizzy and couldn’t cool down at all.

up early to take DD1 to the hospital-she is having an operation today to reconstruct her ear drum. I’m hoping she won’t have the horrible reaction to her anaesthetic as she did last time. We are meant to be out tonight with some (new!) friends locally-but all dependent on how she comes round.

Start of football season proper for me today. Up the Owls. Miss my dad and his unswerving pre season optimism.

Have a lovely Saturday all

Sending gentle hugs to you as I know you are going through the mill with everything including hospital appointments etc this year x

That salt cellar is stunning and I want one!

Sending best of luck for DDs operation @piscofrisco I remember her awful reaction the last time. Finhers crossed it goes smoothly. Hppr you get a bit of time to rest too. Thay does sound like a touch of heat stroke. Normal service resumed here. 12 degrees and very dull. Rain highly likely on the cards. I'll send it down south after it's done here. Yes I went to bed very happy after my little kingfisher spot last night. Fella at the back of me has a big pond. I often get a heron sitting on my fence observing, but nevrr had a kingfisher before (although seen them by the river / sea)

I also moved the hedgehog house from the back garden to the front last night. Tucked up under an old bench. New fences mean all the gaps have gone in the back garden, whereas I know they frequent the front as I see them on the camera.

Right. Off to the beach I go, then honey labelling and a fairly quiet day planned with DD. Hoping for no more phone calls from Dad starting with "Rainbow, I've had another catastrophe..."

Good luck to DD @piscofrisco

My goodness what a day @LatteLady - I hope the biopsy goes smoothly. And you find candle bargains soon.

That salt cellar is amazing @Confusedmeanderings

Garden looks lovely @RainbowZebraWarrior and how amazing having a kingfisher out there.

Got the phone alert just as I'd been reading about several fires across the city - I could see/ smell a bit of smoke from the closest one. I guess this comes with living in a place which has a lot of green space and trees, as after the last couple of months it's now dead-dry yellow/brown space.

Much cooler this morning, thank goodness. I'm hoping to finally get to the library for my card, and find something to help me open my jars (I think it's a rubber glove job but I don't have any)!

I have a jar opening device that I got from either Amazon or Lakeland. Like sort of clamp thing. It works a treat. Worth a look.
Meanwhile run hot water over the just the lid of the jar if you can for as long as possible, (or up end it and stand it in shallow water out don’t kettle in a bowl), then vigorously tap the middle of the lid with a knife handle or similar. Works like a charm most of the time.

I also have the contraption that pisco mentions. I'm sure its called a jarkey or some such. I got it in a pack from Amazon with other 'helping hand' things. There were also a couple of round textured silicone discs for gripping. I'm mainly a fan of hot water though.

I've had a little spell of apothecary candle making in the kitchen and it smells wonderful. I saved some lovely blue glass jars from my favourite Neals Yard frankincense cream and have made some lovely little Lavender and Frankincense jar candles. Added a few drops of sweet orange too. Very happy with that.

Dad told me this morning that the compost heap fire restarted and melted three watering cans and destroyed some of his potatoes. This had never happened here before, and hopefully now it's cooler again here, that's the end of it.

I have the same jar opening gadget @piscofrisco and it’s really helpful. My latest gadget is more exciting - a gnocchi rolling board from Lucca.

How incredible to have that gift from the universe @RainbowZebraWarrior , a kingfisher. ❤️

Im so sorry to hear of your husband’s cancer @Confusedmeanderings I hope a decent pathway is soon found and in the meantime much decent distraction.

All the best today for DD’s operation @piscofrisco
Florence was awesome but brutally hot and fairly busy too. We managed as I’d booked a hotel very close to the Uffizzi and could pop back to cool off and doze. We also had our day trip to Siena and San Gimigniano from there in an air conditioned coach. Amazing trip. We were there this time of year due to first attending the opera festival in Torre del Lago, otherwise I’d stick to cooler months. It’s been an incredible week. If you’re heading that way, Lucca is wonderful and well worth at least a night there.

The hot water has worked, with the help of a spoon handle under the lid for a couple of them!

I will investigate the grippy things though, thank you all. @RainbowZebraWarrior you will know what I mean about hypermobile fingers trying to grip. They were better when I was doing some fitness stuff that improved grip strength but obviously I've been away from that for a while.

@Bimblesalong a gnocchi rolling board sounds VVN!

A gnocchi rolling board sounds awesome @Bimblesalong and makes me think, for some reason, of the gnudi that's always so divisive among us here when we start the CC. Your trip sounds A-Maz-Ing and is something that's always been on my list (and actually was booked once but had to cancel) I think it would have to be a lotto win for me though as I would like to be chauffeured around everywhere in an air conditioned limousine. Can't face the trekking / heat / crowds atm, but you never know.

Oh yes I know exactly what you mean @martha79 darned hypermobile fingers definitely do not play ball (literally!)

I know I made a promise to Tom about joining a choir, but I cannot find one that isn't in the evening meaning leaving DD at night which she doesn't like. I found a poster in Sainsbury's for one yesterday in Sainsbury's 1pm till 2pm on a Thursday. It's at the disability forum in my village, so I'm going to give it ago when DD returns to school 🤞

Anyone with any bright ideas for tomatoes? I don't feel like making any more chilli jam strangely (plus I have enough; I got up at 5am and cleared a shelf for it in the pantry, lest any more accidents) Done soup, done pasta sauce, Mam and Dad live off ratatouille half the summer, so I am trying this today.

Dad and I were both looking at tomatoes sitting on the bench this morning saying "it's like they are just rotting in front of our eyes" as we both sides eyed the Aga (yes, we are crazy for keeping it on all year round)

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/baked-feta-with-burst-tomatoes-chilli-honey

@RainbowZebraWarrior I remember compost fires spontaneously combusting from my childhood, the only answer was to turn them regularly first thing in the morning so the heat did not get a chance to develop, together with a watering canful to soak through.

I am currently watching a Thames Water lorry parked up outside my house... it looks like a sewer has gone about half a dozen doors down... I made the mistake of looking up local issues and there are 10 sites, within five mins of my house... eek!

@RainbowZebraWarrior could you dry/ dehydrate them and make 'sun dried' tomatoes to store?

Fingers definitely don't 'play ball' - I've never forgiven school for making us play volleyball, very incompatible with bendy hands and wrists.

Went to the library - it's quite small but nice and quiet (as a library should be!). A squirrel was heading to the entrance as I left, not sure what their preferred literature is. Saw quite a collection of birds on the lake including some juvenile swans who are at that stage where they're almost graceful but still a bit scruffy and awkward.

Using up the rest of the prawns this evening with some pasta and more spinach. And I've got some lovely flat peaches.

Hope all is ok water-wise @LatteLady

Gosh that Prawn dish looks delicious @martha79 You are a good cook! I was all set for my tomato and feta thingy, then I walked into Mum and Dad's house and the smell of madras made me really fancy a curry. What to do? Come to think of it, Dad did dehydrate some tomatoes in the bottom oven of the Aga a few years ago. We should do it again.

Good win for The Owls @piscofrisco Hope DD is doing ok. Also, good luck for tomorrow. (I think you said your appt was Sunday?) I popped one of Luke's rocks on a big chonk of driftwood high up on the beach today. The other one will eventually end up at the sundial if I don't keep leaving it beside the front door!

Chilly here this evening. Hope things are cooling down for the rest of you, too.