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!)

Yes a happy happy birthday to you @Bimblesalong. I used to live a few doors up fr
a cottage that belonged to William Morris’s sister and to which he was a frequent visitor. The then owners had it bedecked in strawberry thief. They didn’t last long in it though-no one did-as it was said to be the most haunted house in the village and it did have a very weird vibe.

well done on the successful nesting @martha79. You will have a peaceful few weeks now that the mighty Sheffield Wednesday are on on international hiatus. I thought of you last night as there was a lovely women’s garden project in Sheffield featured on gardens world-it looked very Nigel and very lovely.

I think I will risk S and S then @RainbowZebraWarriorbut I will probably go to our local arts centre which was built around the right period so will be atmospheric. Some of the Keira knightley p and p was filmed where we live and you can just see the arts centre in the corner of the frame when the militia march into Merryton.

I have taken five bags of clothes to various charity shops this morning (I like to spread the donations out a bit so as not to overwhelm the sorter outer) and been for a long sunny dog walk-it’s a beautiful warm and sunny day here.

DH and are going to walk into two to the posh hotel to book his big birthday lunch and have a drink whilst we are there , then we might stay in town as we are thinking of going to see Oasish later (I got a code for the real thing but refused to pay £175 each for a ticket). I was at the OG knebworth and I think it was £24 and for that you also got my very favourites, The Charlatans too!

a lovely Saturday to all

Happy birthday dear @Bimblesalong

A very happy birthday @Bimblesalong!

@piscofrisco a few people have messaged me about seeing Sheffield on Gardener's World - I know of the project and it's lovely.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I've been to the cinema once in the last year, saw the Minions film which was suitably short but still a bit of sensory overload (had to put my earplugs in)! Going to have a look at what's coming up though.

Felt a bit rough overnight post flu jab but that seems to have passed now. Had a nice afternoon with a friend. Lunch sitting outside local cafe (I have been craving a toastie all week and I finally got one). Walk round the park where we discovered a little tucked away garden bit where there are more squirrels than humans (and a lot of birds too). And ended up in the nearby toy shop where I have finally succumbed to Lego.

Firstly, thank you to everyone for their kind wishes... the MDT which was supposed to happen this week to confirm the when and where of next steps did not happen because the two hospital systems were not talking to one another... and this has been going on for several months. The poor nurse who rang to tell me was really upset and I felt quite sorry for her and was extra kind as I reckoned she was going to have a tough afternoon.

@Bimblesalong Is that course Hand & Lock... I have been looking at several of their courses recently but worry that I might not be up to snuff. Your work is just gorgeous and I hope you had a lovely birthday.

Some pots arrived for planting up, which I hope to get done tomorrow.

Now to make everyone laugh, my stalker with MH problems appears to have returned, walked out to go into the office on Weds and discovered that he had balanced a bin against my bedroom window with a large chunk of wood, probably purloined from a skip, on top of it... He has a thing about looking in through my windows, God knows why as I will be 70 in a couple of years! So had to do yet another referral to the Police... silly beggar dropped a letter to him from the hospital on the first occasion, complete with name, address and DoB, and yes, he was known to the local Police. A friend has suggested a camera warning sticker for my window... am more tempted by that than her exhortations to sleep in the buff, although she did suggest that might do him more harm than good...

And now I am off to practise with my litter picker, which a colleague recommended for my post-op hysterectomy.

Gosh @LatteLady you really are going through it. I applaud your humour among it all, but it's all rather worrying, especially about the stalker. Back in my day when I was a copper <old git alert> that would have been sorted in a trice. Mind, that's back in the day when we actually had coppers on the beat, and also had the space to actually lock folk up.

I also treated myself to a toastie today @martha79 and it was delicious. I have massive sensory issues with the cinema, but have found that if it's a film I really want to see, then I can cope. I have been known to leave halfway through, however. I avoid so much that affects me, but this is the one thing I am managing to overcome ❤️

Hope you get to see S and S @piscofrisco I watched the 1995 version again today in order to compare (I've probably seen it three times in three decades) I think Herbert Nordrum plays Brandon rather more haughty than Alan Rkckan did; much in the vein of Mr Darcy in P and P. But I have to say that I definitely preferred George Mackay over Hugh Grant. HG seemed very wooden (and had the same two expressiona in a lot of his films of that time) All in all, I think the new adaptation tells the story better in many ways. You'll have to let me know what you think.

Sorry if this offends anyone, but Strictly is a huge pain in the arse for me, and moreso this year. As a former dancer, it just massively irritates me (much the same as Bake off and Masterchef do as a former chef; just call me a snob) One just can't seem to escape either, unfortunately.

Popping in to wave and thank you all. Also to commiserate with the ongoing shenanigans for Lattelady. I’ve taken mum to London for the day to see the Frieda Khalo at the Tate, and then a lovely small exhibition of photos of Hepworth and Nicholson’s workshop in London (at The Courtauld).
DS1 and his gf have come down with a bottle of fizz ans we’ve all spent the evening ing having drinks and cheese. DS1 took the Santa Maria hint and oh my am I spoiled (lots of lovely melograno toiletries).

yes, the course is hand and lock. I’m loving it and have learned loads. I’ll do another next year but will finish this project over the winter first.

Gosh that all sounds fabulous @Bimblesalong

Just had an email from Pintail candles and this is the photo tbey have used to promote their tealight candle advent calendar. Obviously fellow Nigel / CC fans!

Happy sunday all. I feel shattered still, yet of course wake up at 5am every day as usual

Well that does sound a lovely day @Bimblesalong
Sorry to hear of your delayed MDT and your stalker @LatteLady. That’s an awful
lot to deal with and I send you lots of love. I hope both hospital and police get their arses in gear for you at the earliest possible opportunity.

Now I want a toastie! I think I’ve left our toastie machine at work when I did toastie week with the co farmers.

I actually loathe strictly. And it’s on for so loooong. And then we have to have all the chat about it every week on the radio etc. I appreciate I’m in the minority and people love it. I do like Bake off though.

DH and I ended up having a lovely wine and cheese afternoon outside our local posh cheese shop and then quite a few more drinks afterwards. We ended up drunk as skunks and DD1 had to come and get us. She was not impressed. I don’t feel my Sparkling best this morning but have been up and put all the sofa covers in the wash as they were well overdue, and put some beef brisket in the slow cooker for later. Dog walk later and I’m determined to repot some of my big house plants as they have grown like mad over the summer.

@Bimblesalong that light is an absolute beauty! Happy birthday!

@LatteLady sorry your stalker is back. Hope the police can dissuade him.

Slightly eventful day yesterday. We went to test drive a potential new car and, whilst we were on our test run, the car immediately in front of us was side swiped by a van. Quick thinking DH jumped out and got a photo, which ended up being quite critical as the van driver was adamant it wasn't his fault and got back in his van and moved it. The police arrived as it was on a big A road and traffic was building up. DH showed the photo to the police who then asked DH to upload it via a link and told the van driver that he was quite clearly in the wrong. The poor older lady was very shaken and her car is probably a write off but at least the culprit is clear. We liked the car we were test driving - a Polestar 2- and it's definitely a contender.

We're going to see Pressure at our local arts cinema this afternoon. We enjoyed a play on the same subject a few years ago and have high hopes for this one.

I'm in London on Tuesday and I've just looked at the weather forecast - 25C!!! Where is autumn? I want crisp autumn mornings, a chill in the air, I want to wear boots and jumpers <stamps feet>.

Well done quick thinking DH @petitpasta and ooh new car. Polestar is Volvo brand isnt it? I have heard great things about them.

Only just spotted the bottle (how did I miss that?) @Bimblesalong It's glorious!

Aye, I think thats my issue @piscofrisco I loathe the bloody thing too, and it is talked about everywhere, endlessly from now till Christmas! Ooh I love a bit of brisket. I have two of Waitrose's slow cooked briskets coming next week as they are on offer. Oh, and getting drunk as skunks once in a while is fun (although maybe not the hangover)

Speaking of Christmas, I have a plan....

I cannot find a choir, but need to scratch the singing itch, so I have drafted a note to my street group chat. Basically, I remember seeing a lovely dickensian dressed group of carollers standing under an old street lamp years ago outside the tudor pub in the next village. It was snowing and it was utterly magical. I want to recreate that, so I want to get a group of us together all dressed up with lanterns going around our streets. There are 9 streets. I've picked ten carols. We will start and end in our own atreet and do a carol in each. It will take just over an hour and I propose the first weekend in December to practice, and the second weekend to actually do it. I'll put flyers through doors so folk know we are coming. I'll wait till Thursday before sending said missive, as at least it's October then! If nobody is interested, I'll just do it on my own!

Anyway, I am drowning in honey jars as usual, so I had better get this second lot in the dishwasher. No rest for the wicked.

That's a great idea about the singing @RainbowZebraWarrior, hope you get a nice group together.

Thinking of you @LatteLady - I hope everything is resolved soon.

Well done to DH for quick thinking @petitpasta

Having said I was feeling quite content in the new flat, the new neighbours who've just moved in upstairs were really noisy last night - people turned up at about 10:30pm, were really loud, shouting at each other around midnight, shut up a bit after I closed my door really loudly... and then all went out for a couple of hours, came back and continued to chat (they're still going although quieter now). I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt that it was house-warming excitement but will have a word if it happens again. As it is, I feel awful from the lack of sleep. Just waiting for a grocery delivery so I can have some lunch then go back to bed.

Settled in bed watching Gardener's World - how did Monty keep a straight face whilst handling his aubergines like that?! 😮🤣

Noisy neighbours are the worst @martha79

had a very good & drink involved weekend here. It was a local beer/ cider festival in a nearby town. 89 beers and ciders in one place . Which was fun. And today was our city’s food festival. So went to mooch around that and got some good ideas.

Yes polestar is a volvo sister brand. We were very impressed!

And love the carol singing idea. We usually do an open house for our immediate 10 or so neighbours. Might extend ot a bit this year. It's always nice

That sounds great @CrushingOnRubies

Potential new car is exciting @petitpasta

Oh, I also don't like Strictly - don't understand why there's such a big fuss about it, and when I have seen it I thought most of the dancing didn't seem to match up well with the music. Wouldn't mind Bake Off but I can't stand Noel. Mainly, I don't understand why so many things need to be turned into competitions! Remember they did an amateur orchestras one a few years ago that felt very against the spirit of amateur music making.

Really great @martha79… so much so that one of the of the demonstrators we saw today has an Italian restaurant not that far away using local ingredients. And have booked for lunch next weekend.

new candle tonight Habitat’s sea salt and cedar. Will give a verdict when it’s warmed up a bit

Happy birthday @Bimblesalong - sounds like you were thoroughly spoiled with your fabulous Cotswold trip and all your lovely gifts. I also like the sound of your London sortie with your mum - just the sort of trip I would have enjoyed with my own mum before she became so ancient. We have returned to Paris to find a new visitor who has started coming in through the open windows - a true cat burglar! She frightened my son to death when he found her wandering round the flat in the early hours of the morning! So friendly though - we are all a bit smitten.

Just popping in to day

Happy Birthday @Bimblesalong

Sorry about the stalker and the delays @LatteLady

@piscofrisco @martha79 I also sniggered at Monty’s aubergines and enjoyed seeing the piece about the women’s garden, just lovely.

@petitpasta well done to your DH

@RainbowZebraWarrior and a few others by the sounds of it, I quite like Strictly <gets coat> but haven’t seen it yet this season. There is a LOT to criticise about it but there are moments of magic and it’s all a bit like three months of panto. I am in a FB group where we all watch together and the criticism can be fairly robust.

I am shattered. It’s been a really hectic last few weeks and to cap it all DS’s PIP review form turned up, I have to do a lot of it for him as dealing with complex written information is one of his areas of need. Also took mum to the GP for a memory screen on Friday and she scored a lot worse than either of us were expecting (it had been getting noticeably worse) so she’s going forward for the full diagnostic process now. And I have had mountains of governor work to do.

Also to say, Søstrene Grene have got lots of very lovely Christmas bits in (not the full stock yet but very nice things). And I bought some lovely autumn paper decorations in Flying Tiger yesterday. Third photo is of a new cafe I discovered yesterday in a park in our nearest big town, it is a community run enterprise which employs people with learning difficulties, I will definitely be going back, it was so nice and in a lovely corner.

Oh gosh @martha79 I do hope that it was indeed a house warming party and a one off. I haven't caught up with GW for a few weeks, but wonder now about the aubergine handling (knowing the meaning of the emoji!) BTW, I also cannot get along with Noel F.

Oh @ElegantDress that all sounds like a lot. Sending gentle hugs. That café looks and sounds lovely

I'm shattered too, and it is so cold and dark. I got up earlier and made a cuppa then went back to bed whilst the heating warmed the house up. I finally finished the jars between other things late last night. DD is struggling with het mental health a lot lately but will not take on board therapeutic help from outside, so I am trying to tackle it a bit at a time with her. Mr D has cystitis which is always fun, so here's a picture of a lovely new chap who has been visiting my garden for the past week or so.

Also, thanks for the heads up about sostrene grene @ElegantDress I am planning myself a midweek solo trip to town to treat my frazzled brain. I have a kitty from the last couple of weeks crazy honey sales and intend to treat myself to a SG trip, a sit down in JL café and a Diptyque splurge. I have enough in my kitty for the medium Feu de Bois candle. Also, I think I still have last year's christmas tea from there in my pantry!

PIP forms are the work of the devil so you have my sympathies @ElegantDress

also hoping it was a one off for you @martha79and that the neighbours will prove reasonable

What a handsome fellow @liliangish

I love your Carolling idea @RainbowZebraWarrior. Though my neighbours would pay me to go away I would think as my singing is so bad.

woken up with my bi weekly UTI symptoms and absolutely boiling as I’ve got a temperature to go with. My friend has sent me a link to a private menopause consultant as my own GP is impossible. I resent having to pay £300 but I cant carry on like this. Greg and warm here this morning, and set to be as @petitpastasaid, 25 sodding degrees tomorrow and still no more than a brief shower of rain. So work will be more watering and I was going to try and put some plants in around the Duck Pond, and reseed the grass, but the ground is rock hard so they will stay in their pots for another week and the grass will remain patchy.

I’ve been awake since 4am and at this point I would really like to stay in bed but up I must get.

Have a lovely Monday all

Sorry to hear DD is struggling @RainbowZebraWarrior. I’m glad you will hopefully get a solo trip to sostrene Green as you can’t pour from an empty cup and you do such a good job of looking after everyone else, but you must remember to show yourself the same care when you can. DD2 refused to engage with outside help for a long time and her Dad put his head in the sand until he couldn’t ignore her issues any more-and even just the carrying of the mental load was knackering for me, and that’s before you get to actually helping them manage and keeping everything else ticking over, so I send you lots of love.

I think a private menopause consultant sounds like a great idea for you my lovely. It isn't Dr Tina Peers by chance is it? She's amazing and is also an expert in MCAS (as the teo things seem to affect mostly women 40 plus and often occur together) You can get low level antibiotics which you take all the time to keep the UTIs at bay. Best of luck to you and much love back.

Oh I missed this. What a stunner! 😍