The Year Round Nigel Slater discussion thread part 6

[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

N.B. The Christmas Chronicles thread proper will start in late October, ready for the book beginning on 1st November (seems a long way off, but will be here before we know it!)

Cool! I'll have to find one! I have loved bats ever since we found one in the village church when I was about 8. I can't remember why we were there. We got someone from a rescue centre to come and collect it, but I thought it was so beautiful up close. They really are the most amazing little things.

I also have a very poor photo of a "clutch" (not sure what the right word is - surely not that because they are not birds, but that's what they looked like) of Clear-winged Woolly Bats in Borneo. They were all curled up together - it is still one of the most incredible things I have seen. They were a little family all curled up together.

So a bat identifier would be amazing. We have a bat box. Been there seven years and as yet unused.

Hope you're feeling a bit better soon @piscofrisco Get stocked up with rosehip syrup, and elderberry tonic to keep those colds at bay this winter.

Another utterly crap morming here. I am currently wearing an extremely naff 'pumpkin spice' sweatshirt and collecting conkers next door to DDs school though so, you know, yin and yang, simple pleasures etc..

We have pippistrelles here, but a bat detector sounds amazing!

So that little bat memory just sent me down an internet wormhole to Indonesia. I left the project and never really looked back, but it turns out it was ultimately quite successful (the project I was working on went on for 30 years, so no thanks to me, but glad it ultimately yielded results). I hated being in the rainforest at the time, but looking back, some of the experiences were amazing. I will never forget the sound of it.

We are part of what a disaster first morning back in uniform day crew!

Alarm failure
Didn’t have any time
Youngster got a lift in (almost embarrassing the school is so close)
nothing ironed

god what a mess!

we will try harder tomorrow (I will at least iron this evening instead of some crazy thinking like I have time in the morning)

This is pretty much every Monday for me. Don't worry about it. We have a whole year to get it right 🤣

It’s a funny old day back to school day isn’t it @MichaelmasDaisiesAndAutumSunset. very bittersweet. I love a bat. We used to live near Knebworth house and there are loads there flitting about in the evening. I held one once at a display. Tiny little chap and so sweet.

sorry your morning was no better @RainbowZebraWarrior. I would like a pumpkin spice sweater. I think I need to basically douse myself in all the cold fighting syrups to stand even half a chance. I’ve felt rotten today, not helped by the fact that it was 27 degrees and I had a very active co farmer. My legs are a bit wobbly now so I’m shortly going to get into bed as I feel wiped out.

It can only get better @frozendaisytomorrow is another day! in fact I think that was me every other day for the entirety of my girls school career. Im more organised with the step sons but only because one of them has a sort of phobia of being late or forgetting something and the upset it causes isn’t worth it.
We have no real food in the house and DH won’t be back till 8, so a fish finger sandwich it will be for my tea. And I can’t say I'm upset at the prospect.

Bittersweet is definitely the word for back to school @piscofrisco DD started reception on weds and although she's been absolutely fine it's been a real roller coaster of emotions for me! So proud of her but sad to think those preschool days are over.
Hope all back to schoolers settle in quickly and we all get a routine going soon. I feel a bit lost at home although the silence is lovely. This morning I sat in the garden with a cuppa and watched a robin hopping about.
It's much cooler and damper here now, I'm amazed how quickly the grass is recovering from the summer, although it still has a way to go. Rain still feels like a novelty at the moment but I'm sure I'll soon be moaning about it!

De-lurking to say ‘Hallo and thank you’ to everyone who has been contributing to this lovely thread, especially to @RainbowZebraWarrior for keeping it going. I’ve so enjoyed following and it has helped so much to distract when dealing with DH’s continuing health problems.
Mmmmm! Kippers! One of our favourite day’s out when the holiday season is over is to Fortune’s smokehouse at Whitby for some of their famous kippers, followed by a visit to Botham’s for their equally famous lemon buns - a delicious treat. Lunch has to be fish and chips at the Magpie cafe. Then on a diet for the rest of the week!
Here on the north east coast we haven’t had the high temperatures that the rest of the country have had; we spent a couple of weeks in August in the midlands looking after DD’s house, dog, parakeet and chickens and were so pleased to get back to the cool sea breezes at home.

So now Autumn is in the air, and I’m starting to feel like doing things again - so - photograph of the finished seaglass Christmas tree ornament. Made one for Dd for Christmas a couple of years ago and ever since have been wanting to make one for myself. Also a nectarine and honey meringue for a friend’s birthday party. Looking for another project now; knitted a waistcoat last winter and enjoyed doing that so maybe start looking at knitting patterns again.
Burning my summery St Eval Walled Garden candle tonight, when that’s finished I think it’ll be their Rosemary and Thyme - still a favourite for autumn and winter. Just after 8pm, dark outside and it feels cosy with the lights on and the candle burning.

That meringue looks amazing @Seasidebubbles .

@piscofrisco I live a fish finger sandwich - food of the gods!

Another bat lover here. Many years ago we took my nephews to visit their father who was working in Indonesia. I loved watching the fruit bars flying every evening. We went to a cafe one day and a fruit bat was hanging in tree. We were able to stroke it and it licked the salt off our arms.

@Seasidebubbles You never fail to disappoint! That waistcoat is goooooorgeous, the little wreath is darling (still haven't made anything one yet) and the meringue sounds lush. Must add to my list for next summer. The peaches and nectarines are tasting a bit pants now. Skins are too thick my Mum says.

Fish finger sandwich on the menu for me tonight I reckon @piscofrisco Luckily I put some on my food delivery last night. Just need to source some nice bread today. Greggs stotties I think would fit the bill nicely!

I feel a bit broken today and this week has been a very harsh reminder of how really bloody hard our life is. I gloss over an awful lot of it, as we all probably do, but I am struggling atm. This morning I am fuelled by Very Strong Tea, rescue remedy and codeine. I have a slipped vertebrae (among other things) at the bottom of my spine and today it is agonising as I did too much yesterday. 14,231 steps in the end. I'm really not capable of 14,231 steps, and have not done such numbers since probably 2019...

Anyway, just TFI Friday really. Today will be easier. And tomorrow I get to rest and wait in for my John Lewis beauty advent calendar to be delivered. All For Meeeee!

Happy friday to all.

That’s awesome me. Sadly the closest I got was to a flying fox that came into camp, obviously sick and possibly rabid. We couldn’t go anywhere near it and it was discreetly shot 😢 Even sick it was beautiful. Your fruit bat story is a much nicer one.

Gorgeous photos @Seasidebubbles, very squarely in the spirit of the thread. I'm nvn at the moment, on antibiotics so existing on kefir and dry white toast. Still able to make it to work thankfully so better than last time I had to take them.

@RainbowZebraWarrior hope the vertebrae slips back quickly
@Seasidebubbles I am always impressed with knitting, and did knit two baby blankets - never again! I charity shopped my inherited family knitting equipment (it was vast)
My mum could knit (anything) whilst watching tv, baking, hanging upside down, I leave dropped stitches as “artisan” holes!

Well both in today and we only couldn’t find one pair of shoes, but had time for tea and toast.
Eldest is in just for a progress maths test, then we collect, youngster cycled in, waterproofed up, in the rain (builds character). I class this as improvement!

I am going to enjoy my (large) glass of autumnal red wine later.

Had neighbour’s boys over for dinner last night (both adults unavoidably out older brother we have known since reception was in charge of younger brother so I said I would give them dinner as it’s easier me adding on a couple of plates) and have offered GCSE revision sessions for eldest (his school isn’t great or ambitious) he should be aiming a bit higher, we have most subjects covered and am sure we can get his “aiming for a 4” in maths etc up to at least a 6. (Our GCSE one is aiming for 9s, A grades at least). He seemed quite keen to come round so I need to clear studio desk for A level and have kitchen set up for GCSE group revision. It takes a village sometimes.

Printer ink will be required!

I made it clear revision sessions mean revision sessions - no mobiles - no football talk - focus, study, ambition - I sound like a motivational poster not very Nigel at all.

I will probably bake a lot and make many cups of tea. Much more Nigel.

Autumn/Christmas craft is not going to happen this year maybe next. I might try and sketch them when they are working if it’s not too distracting. What they need has to come first (as always).

Hope everyone can do some of what they want this evening.

Good Morning Nigelistas

Today I'm pleased to announce the purchase of 3 wigs, all in colours that I have never been😂My wonderful, eccentric daughter came shopping with me, she usually looks like a rainbow and made me just 'go for it mum'. we are having a weekend away on the suffolk coast with some old friends, soooo looking forward to it and even better I have managed to escape a home game shift in the pub, win win win!😁

Wishing all of you a lovely weekend, with some R&R for the poorly folks.

btw, tonight I'm going out for the first time with a wig on, I have chosen to debut what I describe as my 'dolly wig' , long, wavey and pale pink, 'go for it mum' she said, so I am!

The wigs sound wonderful @thebabessavedme What fun! I also meant to say that I love the sound of your daughter 🌈

Unfortunately the verterbral slippage is permananet and worsening @frozendaisy and will eventually crumble. The NHS like to refer to this as 'wear and tear' alongside everything else that's knackered Spondylosisthesis is the name.
How lovely of you to do the GCSE help. What an absolute superstar you are 🌟

Anyhoo, my best pal and I are hiding from the world in our respective homes and have just had a lovely WhatsApp chat reminiscing about old times where we did normal and fun things like travel the world. We have decided that in order to rebel against all the crap in our lives, we are going to make potato moonshine and herbal ciggies from dried chard leaves. Half joking, obvs... (she's just had to leave her job at the Civil Service to care for her husband)

I don't think herbal snoutage and tattie vodka is exactly VN, but you know, its good old fashioned home grown, home made stuff, right? 😉

Also, I didn't realise some of you were still getting the likes of 27 degrees! Jeez. Thoughts and prayers and all.

Your wigs sound amazing @thebabessavedme

@frozendaisy I love the sound of study sessions at yours!

Gorgeous knitting @Seasidebubbles. I've been considering some knitting but I know that trying to follow a pattern makes me stressed, so I just end up with too many scarves.

Sorry you're having a bad time with your back @RainbowZebraWarrior, I hope you're walking fewer steps today. Can you smoke chard? Sounds like it might almost be good for you 😂

Also a big fan of bats, surprised I've not seen any round here but they are probably all in the park. I've noticed the geese who hang out in the pond flying over my street at certain times of day, it's gloriously noisy.

I'm having a restless sort of day - been out to post a card and walked through a bit of the park, did an online yoga class, few bits of life admin and now I'm not sure what next. I think my brain wants to be busier than my body is allowing!

Bought myself a NVN but excellent new mug 😄

Gosh you are all such a kind, and lovely and talented lot! The crafts are really gorgeous. I need to get my paints out again.

New job is keeping me busy. I suspect I am a bit of a culture shock for them. They are a little bit old fashioned in some ways. I half wonder if they're ringing each other to chat about 'what the new boss is up to now' 🤣

Just had sardines on toast- one of my favourite lunches. I reckon Nigel would approve...and write beautiful prose about the simplicity of bread and tinned fish.

I've booked a session at the Think tank planetarium in Birmingham this weekend. It's all about what you can see in the night sky through the autumn. Never done anything like it before but I am quite looking forward to it.

The weather is a little bits nuts here. It was monsoon style rain at 5.45 this morning when I was heading to the gym. Now the sun is out and it's 23C. Autumn definitely keeps you on your toes!

Go for it!

@martha79
study sessions sound great from a distance!
the reality will be much different from Disney revision :-)

but I refuse to let one of our oldest child friend’s think a grade 4 is aspirational (I cannot express how much I hate the head teacher of his school the school both of ours had the misfortune to briefly attend). And I don’t really hate anyone, at best you can ignore most people

This is NVNigel at all, I think, so in-spite of that head he can come here. Other teen said his business teacher was rubbish, his PE teacher was rubbish, his maths teacher thinks a 4 is aspirational - this doesn’t come from the teachers it comes from the head leadership.

So he’s coming here, he will get a solid 5 in his mocks, we will push for him to go into higher maths, where he will get a 6, at least. He is a great green, has been working beyond for a year, no learning difficulties, no missed school, active, kind, fun. I could go on.

He will need feeding. A lot. More importantly he needs to be around real ambition, I will leave that to our GCSE teen.

Honestly that head shouldn’t be in charge of a school. How they earn over £100k a year for this is gobsmacking - but no time for that now.

I have maths A’level, eldest is doing maths A’level, youngster got challenged with a full GCSE paper having covered half syllabus and got a grade 6 and H has a phD in Astrophysics - there is no way one of our favourites is aspiring a grade 4 in maths. I only found this out last night. So will have calmed end of weekend with a full revision schedule (with printouts) by end of weekend.

Studio table is clear.

And just to point out I know some students struggle with certain subjects and school in general.

I understand some students just want to pass and get out of there.

This hasn’t made me cross, what affects me is the head somehow remaining in position whilst easy potential is quashed.

It must happen all over.

But we can help, in a small way, with this one. So instead of not helping he is going to be here being nagged, and encouraged, and challenged, and fed.

God I hate that head.

I have absolutely no idea if you can smoke chard @martha79 but I have just googled and found you can dry it and make vegetable powder. Loving the mug!!

A headteacher is on 100k <whistles> wow I never knew that. We are lucky in that ours is an absolute visionary. The kids get free private tuition on Saturdays in the months leading up to exams, and DD who has just gone into year 10 now does three extra long days per week as they build in compulsory study time for the whole of years 10 and 11.

The weather is nuts here too. 40+mph winds. Welcome to bleeding winter cos this is what it's like here from now till April. Constant sodding wind. My garage window is about to blow out, so I have had ro leave Dad battling that bless him whilst I'm on the school run. At least the wind has blown off a load more conkers for me.

Very much looking forward to relaxing this evening as DD likely has a meltdown about homework

A useless head is on £100k plus

Many other secondary heads are on similar (it depends on size of school) and they deserve to be if they are like youngster’s head (amazing)

But this one takes in many pupils with complex needs for the additional funds and then breaks them.

Our children both left as soon as they could, many teachers followed, many to the same school, the teachers and pupils who moved are blossoming. Under an amazing head.

We just have tops of trees swaying here today.

But will brace ourselves for stormy weather.

That's so sad and frustrating. And probably an all too common problem. Our head has completely turned DDs school around in a matter of a few years. When I got DD in there last Feb, it was a little known secret how amazing the school had become (it's the second top school in England for results when you take out the non English speaking kids) It's now attracting 4 x the amount of pupils it can feasibly take, so there are a lot of disappointing people like my neighbour who's 2nd child didnt get a place there despite the sibling already attending.

Education and policing have been underfunded for too long.

Got a new blackberry collecting bucket today. I would dearly love the whole EB Blackberry range, but now is not the time to buy.

We went for our usual woodland walk at 4pm. One minute it was sunny, although very windy, the next minute it was pitch black like it was 9pm at night! Rather scary. I can now hear my loft hatch rattling, all the pots are over in the garden, and now my bins have gone over. Mr D also does not like wind, so he is Meowing like the world is ending.

I've been out in the garden to harvest the Russet apples before they get catapulted. I don't have many, but they are massive!

Lights on and candles lit.