After a cooking class here this morning, it was time to get to work on the outdoor bread oven. Never mixed concrete before, not sure I want to again, but the base slab is now in place. It's onward and upward from here, can't wait for it to be finished. It will add a whole … Continue reading Bread oven progresses

The grass has been presenting a problem. It's a bit too wet to mow, even if I could manage to control the zero turn mower…. a very disconcerting piece of equipment, wheels seem to spin in all directions not relating at all to the way I want it to go. However, the sheep have come … Continue reading Lovely morning on the farm

The animals on this farm are a constant source of amusement, though maybe that's not the right word for it. Our very obese dog Della spends every moment of the day trying to work out how to gain access to the chook yard so she can share their morning mash of hot bread, grain, vegetable … Continue reading Animal farm

Those who know the story of our Tom might be interested to see how he has come to love an old discarded bean bag that's set up for him in the lounge room (that largely now resembles a cat's playroom). He is also sound asleep on daughter Courtney's heat pack, so very nicely set up indeed. … Continue reading Tom

Busy day today in the cooking school. Stephanie (daughter) and her husband Nat taught how to make sausages. Many different varieties - pork, chicken, beef of different flavours, yum.

We are about to embark on a new project here - the building of a Scottish bread oven.  Though I love Carmichael, our old slow combustion stove in the cooking school, its capacity for baking is limited and I need more oven space to bake breads for the stall, and just for our own use … Continue reading Scottish Bread Oven

I've had some people ask about our once-feral cat Tom as he's seldom to be seen roaming the yard these days. I'm happy to report that he is still alive and well. He used to greet people as they came to the cooking school, rolling over and over for pats on the tummy. However, these … Continue reading Tom

Over the last few days I've had my cousin Tony visiting from London.  We'd not seen each other since we were children and have only in recent months been in contact once more.  It's been wonderful to catch up on old times, to reminisce over the fun and escapades that the band of Purton cousins … Continue reading A wilderness adventure

It was an excellent weekend at the Salmon Ponds - what a beautiful place it is, iconic even. Its history is fascinating, the grounds beautifully maintained, the autumn colours spectacular, food in the cafe delicious. The event was extremely well organised, not the least feature of which was the fact that children catered to exceptionally … Continue reading 150th anniversary of the Salmon Ponds

Just look at these wonderful offerings - crabapples we picked yesterday here in the Derwent Valley.  They'll soon be turned into jelly, paste (to serve with cheese) and sparkling crabapple drink.  Yum. Between these and an abundance of apples and quinces, it's going to be a busy weekend here in the kitchen.