Six on Satuday - 2 Ocotber 2021

1.  I recently read a comment that designs for gardens rarely incorporate the area for drying clothes.  From the start I have been a non tumble dryer.  Having lived in smallish houses I have not wanted either to sacrifice the space needed for one, or have clothes shrunk, checking the tables I find most say do not tumble dry.  By watching the weather forecast, almost all the washing is dried outside.  Our washing line, when not in use is folded and stored in the shed, and when out fits in its socket around which I have a slate with a circular slot, a remanent from an old birdfeeder.  When not in use it is covered by another stone, just to stop small frogs or insects falling down the hole. The stepping stones mean than no small plants are walked on. Yes I cut down all the stems of Eryngiums Silver Ghost during the week, as I would rather enjoy the rosemary which were being masked by their browings flower heads.

2. Pseudowinteria colorata Red Leopard had to be moved this week, as we are having some work done, and I feared it would be trampled on.  I rather like it in its pot.  I had to clear out the old tomato plants...

3. Sitting having breakfast in the conservatory this morning, on a bleak dark rainy autumn day, the variegated leaves of the Weigela Florida Variegata shone out. I have to remember to enjoy this before the leaves fall.

4. From the bedroom window this morning, I caught a glimpse of the tops of the Amelanchier Trees showing the start of its Autumn Colour.

5. The Fatsia planted out into its large pot, is looking quite handsome, on the larger gravel..the gravel is a large size, but here the plants will only be in pots, except for a few self sowers.  Again the ever green leaves and their network of cream Spider's Web markings will show up well all winter.

6. As well as the tomato haulms which had to be removed, this small chilli plant had to vacate Pseudowinteria's new home.  I did plan on ditching all the chilli plants and starting again in the spring, but this small plant may be brought inside to weather the winter.

I hope I manage to get out into the garden and be able to move plants, remove plants, take cuttings etc before our heavy clay soil gets too claggy, but when the weather improves there is so much call on one's time.  Thus it was ever so.....

Over now to join in with Jon's gang and see what everyone else has been up to and not up to this week.

Lavenham Holiday

 After a few days back home, looking out the best of the pictues of a holiday and recapping all that we enjoyed, I spend a little more time getting to appreciate all the places we visited. Of course holidays away have not been possible, and for the moment we were very happy to be able to have spent our holiday in a area that is completely new to us.  The weather was as good as it can get which we took full advantage of, and enjoyed many walks and outside activities.

We chose Lavenham, it had been on our list for several years ago and had our holiday booked originally for May 2020.  Helen Burgess who owns Staddles was most accomodating back then with a full refund as soon as we realised that the country was is a 'no travel' situation.  

With a handsome view of half timbered houses opposite

and a painterly view from the front doorstep towards to centre

This Medieval Wool Town had ample interesting small roads to amble around and fine houses to view. We took advantage of the quiet, almost traffic free evenings to wander around and view fine houses with often glimpses into their beamed interiors.

On one of our late afternoon saunters a few beautiful vintage cars were parked in the square and we got chatting to the owners sitting outside The Angel Hotel as they relaxed. Of course they had been carefully dusted off after their drive,  I could see in gleam of pride on the owner's face when I couldn't hlep but capture the lovely sky in the deep midnight blue of the paintwork.

We visited the Guildhall and also the very interesting Little Hall Museum which is run by the Suffolk Building Preservation Trust. 

If you are visiting Lavenham and have only time for one, then Little Hall is by far the best.  We took advantage of the short introductory talk by one of the volunteers who explained about the history of the town and source of wealth which was from Lavenham Blue woven broad cloth.  A good outline of how the house came to be bought by Gayer-Anderson Brothers and their family history, restoration of the house, and their many other interests which gave a substance to understanding all the furnishings, pictures and works of art in the house. Compared to all the English Heritage Property and NT houses we visited, this I rank far above those.  The gardens too were charming.

Guild Hall to the right across the square

Next door to the Little Hall Museum is The Great House, where we treated ourselves to Lunch just the once! We had to book in advance to get in. We were not altogher impressed with a few of the touches such as a ie one teaspoon of sweet corn kernels as an 'amuse bouche' and finding that we had been charged for bread on top of the price of the menu.  The addition automatically to the bill of the price of planting a tree, to 'off-set the carbon footprint of eating there,  too came as a jolt so I asked for that the later to be taken off, though I did pay for the bread.  By all means charge for the bread, but make it plain that it is a cost on the menu, and not simply have the waiter say would you like bread with your starters.  Putting that aside this was 'fine cuisine.

Middle courses missing......

The desserts were a Tour de Force.

A less cheffy meal but equally delicious lunch was enjoyed at the Restaurant at No 10 which is on the corner of Lady and Water Streets. Service and staff very pleasant and our dishes were easily altered to suit us better. On the Sunday we had our 'Roast' at the pub The Cock Horse, and as for the Indian Curry House The Mensaab, where we enjoyed a leisurely dinner which was just about as perfect as could be.  Whilst we were there, having enjoyed our starters, and waiting for the main courses to arrive,  I happened to hear a 'Mr Burgess' turn up at the bar to collect their order.  What a coincidence is that?  Of all the days and times we could have been in this restuarant, and my just happening to rear and recognise the name, of course we introduced ourselves, such amazing things happened not that infreqently.  

Much fine quality ingredients and food were purchased from the shops in Lavenham, including the Baker, the Butcher, and local small stores.  

Locally we came to adpot a few 'circular' walks with fine views of the countryside and along the disused railway. I just could not help myself but pick some wild blackberries, some of which were cooked to make a lovely topping for my breakfast cereal.

More seperate posts will follow about visits to gardens, towns and properties....

In a Vase on Monday - Autumnal Hues

Overnight we have had winds and rain, and with the shorter days and slanting light beams in the house, it feels like Autumn. Yesterday, I noticed the seed heads forming on a Crocosmia, and thought they would go nicely with the Dahlias.  I have just one Dahlia growing in a pot.  I was delighted to be given a plant earlier this year by Alison, to whom I had mentioned last year that I was after Dahlia David Howard.  I seemed to have caught all the small snails and this morning there did not seem to be much more disfigurement.  

Set off with its bronze coloured leaves it makes a fabulous late Summer and Autumn statement.

Just using the two elements didn't seem sufficient, but the addition of a couple of stems of Persicaria Red Dragon, and seed heads of Scabiosa caucasica 'Perfecta Alba'.  Both vase and the soldier are Chinese.  My mother had an extended visit to China decades ago, and it had been her vase, and following her persuation Mr S and I visited in the 1990s and have many enjoyable memories of our time there, and our soldiers are scattered around the house, reminding us of those days.

I've picked another  bunch of flowers which are destined to take to a friend, but it wouldn't be fair to show those.....

Cathy is our host, and you can follow the link just to view othr arrangements, or why not join in.  You need not do this each week.

Six on Saturday - 25 September 2021

 Over stuffed, that is what comes from being away for nearly a fortnight.  You might think that is what I am feeling, but although we had some fab meals out, I weigh the same as I did when I left.  Overstuffed is what I think my garden is.  I just can't seem to come away from places with new plants.  I must be delusional thinking that they will find a home.

1. Mr S drove me for over a hour to visit Beth Chatto's garden and it was definetly worth it.  Thisis a glimpse of some of my holiday sourvenirs. Crocosmia Emily McKenzie came from the another supplier, but I came home with Verbena bonariensis 'Little One', Phyla nodiflora, and Limonium bellidifolium all of then I saw growing in the gravel garden.

I was impressed by the gardens and also the nursery and the quality of the plants.  One plant I had seen coming into flower was the yellow crocus looking Sternbegia.  Someone on the yard found me a pot from the polytunnel, I went through the checkout, and as I usually do I check that everything went through.  I felt the price was a little low, and double checking it went through as £0. Of course I querried this, but as the plant was not on the system, I was unable to pay seperately.  Of course they were pleased that I had pointed it out.  I am pleased that I noticed it, but sad that I was unable to find a way for paying for it.  They are now on the site for puchasing, but maybe the garden is too stuffed!

2. It only takes a damp day to bring out the snails, and this little one managed to slither its way up onto Dahlia David Howard. Good job I went out just now to take some pictures for this SOS.

3.  And away they grow.  I picked some lettuce yesterday after having been 'starved' of my usual salads. That explains the few missing leaves in this picture.

4. I'm very impressed with Salvia Leucantha and will take cuttings shortly as I am happy with the rate of growth in one season, and would like the space to grow things in earlier on it in the season.

5. One of the plants I saw growing in the Chatto Gardens was a ground hugging plant called Phyla nodiflora. It is a creeping vervain know as Turkey tangle frogfruit, worth it for the name! I'll give it a try around the stepping stones.

6. A warm sunny September is definetly the right weather for ripening chillis.

Thats my Six.  This weekend will find me chopping back things, taking cuttings, and planting out new acquisitions. I'm going over to join in with The Prop and others. 

Mauritian Rougaille

 Both the smell of rougaille cooking and the taste of this deeply flavoured creole tomota sauce is enough to transport me back to my youth in Mauritius.  Every home had their own version and no one variation can be said to be the best one.  Afterall there are just so many homes, and I had eaten that dish only at nearly of my friends and relatives homes, and in Mauritius nearly eveyone falls into that category!  But of course not those on the other side of the tall mountains....a bit of a tall story there.

Last Christmas our plea of no Christmas presents fell on deaf ears fertile ground, well at least the little tomato and basil seeds did fall on soil, and two tomato plants were grown together in a large planter in the garden.

The tomatoes started to ripen at the start of August, and a few were enjoyed in small helpings of rougaille.  Mr S finds raw tomatoes agravates his selection of aches and pains, but cooked tomatoes for now don't.  I had left offf tomatoes myself for a few years, but am enjoying them in moderation again.

Both plants had the majority fruit ripe yesterday, so I decided to cut the plants right back, and with the ripe tomatoes make a batch of rougaille to freeze and enjoy in future months.

Onions, garlic, ginger which I forgot to add, fresh green coriander seeds, tomatoes, parsley and thyme, sea salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper.  It is all in the technique...ready to sieve and use in a sophisticated Sauce Rouge, or use with grilled meats or fish, maybe as a topping for pulses....Unless as a sophistaced dish, I like it just like this.  Not quite Rougaille Saucis as the Mauritian sausages are quite something: for lunch a week back we had duck sausages from Wells market, grilled then gently tossed in this hot red sauce, with runner beans from the garden.