Yes, black gold indeed!  We planted Tasmanian pepperberries outside the cooking school after the potoroos, wallabies and possums considered the vegetable garden we originally planted there were part of a lovely smorgasbord for their enjoyment. They are not so keen to feast on the pepperberries. This is the first year the bushes have produced so … Continue reading Tasmanian Pepperberries – black gold!

Well, look what just arrived!! My lovely publisher has sent me an advance copy of Ultimate Slow Cooker. The book will be available towards the end of March. I am very pleased with its presentation, looks amazing. This time there are photos of a great number of the recipes inside. Speaking of which, many thanks … Continue reading Ultimate Slow Cooker

Herman the outdoor bread oven has been put through his (its) paces over the last few days. Everything from pizzas to roasts have been cooked in there. There is no oven better here, and that's saying something - I have 7 in total. Yesterday, with grandchildren here for a sleepover, Robert decided to pull out … Continue reading The Old Jaffle Iron

I had promised myself that Sunday would be a gardening day and things started out very well.  I mowed the grass, pulled out all the spent Sweet Williams and generally weeded a large garden bed. Time for a spot of lunch and then a friend arrived with four large bags of delicious fresh-picked peaches.  Not … Continue reading Fruitful Sunday

It was a wonderful evening at Fullers Bookshop yesterday with the launch of "The Little Book of Slow", which is co-authored by Paul McIntyre and myself. Here are photos of the tables all set out with the high tea fare that we had promised would be part of the event - a savouries table and … Continue reading Launch of “The Little Book of Slow”

Another day of bottling - nothing to complain about there. I was able to acquire more apricots - Moor Parks of course, only 5kg but I'll take what I can get. They are in my opinion, the best of the best and the only ones I like ton use. Here they are prettily lined up … Continue reading Apricots and Greengages

As already stated a blog or two ago, the launch of "the Little Book of Slow" by Paul McIntyre and myself is imminent. Everyone who reads this post is invited of course – just RSVP to Fullers so we have an idea of numbers. The launch is to take place on February 2nd at Fullers … Continue reading The Launch of Little Book of Slow

We started very early yesterday morning with quite a mess to deal with, the residual washing up and bottling off from the Preserves class of Saturday. This was to be the day also, to pay homage to the splendiferous Moor Park apricots that a friend had acquired for us. Bottled in halves in a little … Continue reading The pressure is on!

We were able to pick some exquisite Morello cherries at a friend's orchard on Monday, red currants also. Morellos always look like beautiful glistening jewels in the bucket as they are plucked from the tree. They keep their colour when preserved too (bottled the water bath/Fowlers way). Then Morello cherry cordial is very hard to … Continue reading Morellos and such

I've planted a few cuttings of catmint around the garden that have subsequently grown most enthusiastically. I thought maybe "catmint" was just a quirky name for the plant, but lately our cats have shown how much they love it. Here is Rosie smooching the bush, and Tom acts similarly, then often sleeps for several hours … Continue reading Catmint