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!)

The Birmingham cafe is Damascena. There's one opposite the cathedral, one in King's Heath I think and another one in the jewellery quarter. It's Syrian owned I think and baklava and desserts are incredible and there's lots of very good and very well priced flatbread based meals. I used to work opposite the city centre one which was both lovely and financially risky.

I missed some posts yesterday as the holiday cottage WiFi is rather slow. Some lovely (and scary!) updates. Today we are off to Vindolanda I think. Bit of a drive but DD's boyfriend is a Roman history buff.

Last night we tried some hot chocolate we bought at a food festival - dark chocolate and raspberry with real chocolate flakes. Oh my it was good so that's going on the Christmas list and into the couple of hampers I do for people. The java mocha coffee we also bought from them was also fantastic. It's a small business coffee roaster based near Nottingham so it's nice to support a small business too. I'm also just about to place my Christmas meat hamper order so Christmas prep is starting in earnest now!

We missed the Jewish quarter unfortunately, usually I am one for doing lots of research before I travel but I have been so busy with everything at home that I said to the family please can you research places we can go, so I went somewhat blind and that didn't come up from the others. DS and I did go to the Communist Museum nearby which was very interesting and quite chilling. We went midweek to hopefully miss Stag-central (also a bit out of season now) and didn't see anything rowdy or otherwise bothersome, but DH and I retreated back to the area we were staying in mid evening each night - there were plenty of bars but definitely quieter.

I went to Vindolanda a few years ago @petitpasta My husband is a big roman history buff too. I was pregnant and rather uncomfortable, and I'm not that interested, but we had the most wonderful guide with a fabulous NE accent. I could have listened to him all day. He really made the day for me.
A bit of Nigelling at the weekend, got out Christmas Chronicles a bit early and made the sausage, leeks and beans - very nice. Also watched a VN documentary on Netflix about a fabulous woman called Orin O'Brien who was the first woman to play in the New York philharmonic in the 60s. Very inspiring and some beautiful music.
Grey and drizzly this morning. Now that DD is at school, after dropping her off I take a detour on the way home to do a walk on the outskirts of the village. It's satisfying to get some steps in first thing. Home with a cup of earl grey now. Going to make some soup and then need to oil the garden furniture. Pottering sort of day - the best kind.
Hope you are feeling a little better @MichaelmasDaisiesAndAutumSunset what a nasty experience for you.
Enjoy your tombola haul @RainbowZebraWarrior some amazing prizes there!
Have a good Monday all x

Ahhh Vibdolanda! We used to go for school trips as kids. I remember being fascinated the first time, but it's amazing how quickly you take for granted the history on your own doorstep. I also live about 3 miles away from remaining segments of the end of the wall. At the imaginatively named Wallsend. Segedunum is a good visit too. Again in Wallsend on the banks of the Tyne. They have this showcase of rare Roman artefacts on currently (ends 3rd Oct),

It's very weird today. Apparently it's going to be 22 degrees. Most unusual for us. Too warm for me as I try to tidy the conservatory.

www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/segedunum/whats-on/following-the-eagle

You are making me get a bit of wanderlust mentioning places like Cragside and Vindolanda. I'm a definite history buff and in a previous life DH was an archaeologist so I have been to Vindolanda many times. I also like Segedunum. At the opposite end of the country, on the Somerset levels, theres the Avalon Marshes Centre, which is a great visit if you are ever in this part of the world. Volunteers have built a replica Saxon longhall, a Roman dining room complete with mosaics, frescoes and heated by a hypocaust system, an iron age roundhouse and a Viking trading vessel. There's a great cafe, a lovely craft centre and easy access to several nature reserves and walks.