Tara for now chuck!

I've got a couple of really exciting trips planned over the next month in the shape of...

Going here...

For this..!!!

To enjoy some of these...

Made by these guys...

To devour lots of these...


And, if I have time enough, visit this place

And then I'm off to...

To see these little guys...


And maybe a few of these too...?

To travel around on something similar to this...

And for day trips to places like this...


But I'll be back on the blogging front after all this next month (with lots and lots to write about I'm sure) so until then.... happy end of April / beginning of May everyone!! Yay!!

Grand Union Canal

Last Sunday we walked part of the Grand Union Canal. We started in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire and walked North, ending up somewhere just North East of Watford. It really was a perfect day for a waterside stroll. We plan on walking the length of the Grand Union Canal (in stages!) over the next few months, so this was the first step!

HERE is a useful website with information to help you plan your journey.

Some photos of the day...


And this is where we deviated from the canal path and headed off into a wood, came across a couple of nice pubs in a place called Croxley Green and that was that.

The path is to yet be continued......

Brew and Pie

Last weekend our home brew was finally ready for tasting - and it was good!!! It had a lovely golden colour (and very clear) and had a delicious full bitter flavour! I'm very happy with the outcome of our first attempt and can't wait to start on another batch whilst having fun getting through this one!!

We decided to rustle up a mushroom and ale pie using a bottle of our brew and it was so delicious - the flavour of the ale really came through.

You can use any of your favourite ales in a pie - although I'd say ones with stronger flavours are better.

Here's how to make...

You will need...

1 red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
Quite a lot of mushrooms (we used 2 boxes - 1 white / 1 chestnut), sliced
2 bay leaves
A few sprigs of fresh thyme
A good dash of dried rosemary / mixed herbs
1 tbsp Vegemite / yeast extract
A few glugs of mushroom ketchup / Worcestershire sauce
300ml of your favourite ale (or stout, for a heavier flavour)
A few sprinklings of plain flour to thicken
Sheet of puff pastry (we used ready made)
Salt/pepper
Milk for brushing on top

Method

Preheat oven to 200. In a large pan, saute onions in oil for about 5 minutes until soft, add garlic and all the herbs and fry for a few more minutes. Add mushrooms and saute until their juices get going, about 10/15 minutes...

Stir in Vegemite / yeast extract and mushroom ketchup. Add ale and simmer for about 15 minutes. Sprinkle in enough flour until the mixture starts to thicken.

We kept it going for about 30 minutes after that until it was really think and rich...

Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Transfer the mixture into a pie dish and lay the rolled out puff pastry on top. Brush with milk and cut a few holes in the surface for the air to escape. Bake for about 20 minutes, until golden...

Enjoy!

Sarfend

Tomorrow we're off to Southend, uh hum, I mean Sarfend. We've never been to Southend before and we've decided to go because we fancied being by the sea, Piya can run around on the beach, the train ticket is so cheap and it only takes an hour from Liverpool Street Station. I've got in mind to walk along the esplanade to Shoeburyness, where there's a nice looking pub I've spotted! What better way to finish off a long, blustery, sea front walk?!

I found some old postcards from the 1890s... wonder if it still retains any of it's former charm?

Dogsitting

I've been looking after a friend's dog, Piya whilst she's away on holiday and will be for a couple more weeks, so my weekend plans have turned very dog orientated indeed, lots of walks and outdoorsy activities and drinks in dog-friendly pubs...This weekend we're off to check out her part of town, Stoke Newington, more on that to come, but for now some snaps taken in the park whilst on one of our morning strolls...

Day trip to Brighton...

Textiles

My friend at work recently told me about the Japanese fashion and fabric designer, Mina Perhonen. He creates really beautiful fabrics which are just so inspiring!

Here are some of my favourites: