The Homely Year

It seems to be our week for looking back. I'm always fascinated by written acounts from the past, wondering what their lives were like, so this makes for interesting reading

...on the Churnet Valley Railway.

The three little ones we took really enjoyed this train journey - but probably not quite as much as us slightly older ones, who could reminisce about steam trains (not that I ever had the chance to travel on any...Les did though).

This was the first time I'd been through Leekbrook tunnel, though I've seen steam trains on their way through many times. Even getting covered in bits of soot as we watched it go was fun.

Good cup of tea in the station tea rooms as well. I can recommend it as day out.

Sometimes, (and especially right now when everything seems all doom and gloom) we need to appreciate simple things, such as the flowers on this orchid...so gorgeous!

As the politicians trip over each other talking about austerity measures, finding this reminded me of the people who really must have known what that meant.

Some bargain pansies ready to go in pots...only £1 a tray from a local greengrocers, reduced because they hadn't got many flowers. They'll be fine though, once they're planted up.

And a couple of bunches of bare rooted wallflowers. Got to empty out all the planters first, most of them are well past their best and sadly neglected. I run out of steam as they do!

Frightening the wild life ,and bringing villagers to their doors to have a look, a bunch of local farmers and tractor fans went on a scenic run last week. Boys will be boys.....

Saw these on a fairly nearby farm. I have to admit my ignorance on them is profound. Are they related to the sheep family, or the goat family? Are they kept for their wool!?

I've been watching this plant grow in one of our troughs for a few months now. Eventually I realised it was a sunflower but don't know how it got there...wasn't planted by us! And on the last day of September it's open...what a little beauty!

A lovely gift, don't you think? A friend arrived with a bunch of sweet peas picked from the garden...it's great that they're still flowering! Wish you could enjoy their scent too...it fills the house.

Get your jars ready, by thoroughly washing and settomg to dry in a very low oven. Use a very large saucepan, or preserving pan.
Wash damsons & remove any stalks. For each pound of fruit, allow a pound of sugar. Put damsons in pan, and put to side of hob, until a little of the juice has been extracted. Boil for half-an-hour. Gradually add the sugar & bring back to the boil. Stir frequently, removing as many stones as you can. To test for set, remove a spoonfull & place on a cool saucer, when you tilt to the side a skin should form on the jam. When jam ready, remove from heat and pour carefully into a jug, and then the jars. Cover with clean lids, or wax discs & cellophane covers. Label