Tea and bikkies

I had two cooking firsts this week. Like lockdown 1, when I learnt to make sourdough bread, there’s going to be a lot of cooking this time. On Shrove Tuesday in February, I tried to make vegan pancakes for the first time and found a recipe on the internet. I mixed the batter and put … Continue reading / view photos Tea and bikkies

Tarzan, trees and me

Nature has many splendours. Three that come to mind are mountains, trees and the many forms of water (lakes, rivers, oceans, snow, ice). Of these, I find mountains frightening. No matter how many times I walk up them, apprehension overrides the veneration I feel at the foot of a mountain. Rivers and vast expanses of … Continue reading / view photos Tarzan, trees and me

Running in Birmingham

On my early morning run yesterday, the light was so good that you could see the moon. I couldn’t resist taking a few photos. These were taken using an old iPhone 6s and are exactly as taken on the reservoir, canal, and in Summerfield Park. View photos Running in Birmingham

Kew Gardens after lockdown

It was lovely to return to Kew Gardens after so long. Unlike normally, you couldn’t just rock up and go in. You had to book a slot for a particular day and time. Usually when I go, as a member, I can bypass the queue and waltz in. No such luck this time. There was … Continue reading / view photos Kew Gardens after lockdown

Lockdown sourdough bread

Sourdough was first invented in about 1500 BC by the Egyptians for extended periods of social distancing or other periods when you had time on your side. It was rediscovered in the UK in 2020 AD. Word of the new British appetite for all things doughy has gone global. Even The New York Times had … Continue reading / view photos Lockdown sourdough bread

Much More Veg

If you’ve seen me lately, I’ve almost certainly bored you to death about a book that has revolutionised my life! Much More Veg by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is that book. It’s by far the best cookbook I’ve had. I have many cookbooks but most of them are unsatisfactory in some way. The recipes are too complicated; … Continue reading Much More Veg

Global poverty, health, crime, literacy news

It’s good to know that some things are actually getting better 😊 Read article

Red Fitness in Tibits

Tibits in Regent Street is my favourite restaurant in London. They do this tasty drink called Red Fitness. I’ve managed to recreate it, using my fantastic bargain (£24) 1000W blender from Morrisons. Thanks for recommendation Jigna 🤗. The recipe is: two handfuls of blackcurrant juice of one lemon one apple a chunk of fennel water … Continue reading Red Fitness in Tibits

Yummy chocolate flapjacks

Chocolate flapjacks. Simple to make: dates, oats, vanilla extract, cacao powder, and coconut oil with melted Green and Blacks dark 70% chocolate 😋 For recipe, see https://freefromfairy.com/2015/10/five-ingredient-chocolate-flapjacks-free-from-refined-sugar.html

Roast tomatoes and red rice with orange and almonds

Roast tomatoes and red rice with orange and almonds from the excellent Much More Veg by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall