Last night was a rare occasion. For a start off, we were not at home, an event nearly as rare as a sighting of Halley’s comet. The last time we had an overnight stay away from Aspen House was way back in December 2004. Too long ago really. So we were determined to make the [...]
Just to the south-west of Greyfriars Bridge in Hereford, and overlooked by the ancient cathedral that dominates the left bank, a new temple is being built. This one will be dedicated to the money god. Its white skeletal exterior frame will have the name Asda emblazoned on it, calling the flock to worship, not just [...]
Hmmm . . . Daddy would be pleased. I have dug three-quarters of the ground we have earmarked for our early potato crop. Unfortunately, I have now run out of time, so my plan to get the whole plot finished before the rains come has been frustrated. Nonetheless, Daddy would have been pleased. My Dad [...]
It’s St Patrick’s Day, so I can think of no better time to tell you about the item we saw for sale yesterday in a carpet shop. The label said ‘Square chenille rug: 55cms x 85cms.’ If I’d seen this in a shop in Donegal, I’d have thought nothing of it . . .
Just had a horrible thought. I was browsing through a food magazine and came across an article in praise of local seasonal produce. The author mentioned pork, and talked specifically about flavoursome meat from rare breeds such as Gloucester Old Spot and Middle White. Quite right too. Very laudable. And exactly what we think at [...]
After an absence of a few weeks, during which time the back yard at Aspen House has been dominated by four other male blackbirds, Upf’rit (he of the sticky-out wing) has put in an appearance again. Allah be praised, I hear you cry. Well, quite. Also spotted in Frank’s field up behind the neighbour’s garden [...]
There are many advantages, most of them self-evident, to buying everything from local suppliers. One that we had not anticipated, however, is the opportunity it has given us to source raw milk. Over the last few weeks, we have discovered that three of our suppliers are willing to give us raw milk whenever we need [...]