Author Archives: james

They cost more than buttons…

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

…but the smell (and taste) is so wonderful. Used in the bakery for making chocolate cookies.

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Quiche-eaters of the world unite!

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

Quiche is another thing I like to bake, mostly because no-one else particularly enjoys it, so I rarely get to eat it unless I do. Today I set about making two, one quiche lorraine, and one cheese and onion. I … Continue reading →

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A return to the workshop, part 3

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

Another two units done. I’ve decided that these two will have drawers in and I’ve fitted runners cut from some scrap timber. Now I have to make the drawers. I’m also thinking about the next couple of units, but before … Continue reading →

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Vineyard progress

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

Again, BP drugs messing me up, so it took until the last few days of March to get the vineyard pruning done, but eventually I got there. I really should go back and have another look now to see how … Continue reading →

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More baking

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

Not mine this time — my wife’s, in fact. But who doesn’t love a hot cross bun? For a change though, this year it has been suggested to me that I should try them with bacon. Then I started asking … Continue reading →

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Sourdough loaves from the bakery

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

I made these. I am unnecessarily proud 😀

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Artificial stupidity strikes again

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

After my previous post I tried to search online for “UK bright green caterpillar”. The AI search summary came back with Bright green caterpillars in the UK can include species like the Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar, which is chunky and has … Continue reading →

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Don’t think I’ve seen one of these before

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

Thanks to problems with my blood pressure medication, it’s taking me a long time to do a first weeding pass through the veg plot. I did one last November, but the mild Winter seems to have allowed them to keep … Continue reading →

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No dig diary, 29th March 2026

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

Today marks the day when we finished filling up the compost bin that we’ve been using since the start of Winter. Always seems to be the one that takes longest to fill. To try to keep the pile moist and … Continue reading →

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A real Cornish pasty

Posted on May 11, 2026 by james

Spending some time at the bakery has rekindled my desire to bake more and one thing I’ve always said I wanted to do was to make some proper Cornish pasties. Clearing the veggie plot uncovered some small swedes left over … Continue reading →

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