@Pomona here in mosquito central (SW France) we have noticed that the little buggers seem to have reduced their numbers compared to usual. I think the main reason is the drought - mosquitoes need water to reproduce.
While I appreciate the twice-weekly grocery delivery, there are some things even W**trose don't do. So I set off this morning to go to Actual Shops. Unfortunately usually reliable Asian grocer didn't have Scotch Bonnets, so had to hoof it to next one, who did. Bussed to the Polish deli and acquired pierogi, crispbread, different packet soup (borscht, dill). Walked home - so probably about a couple of mile all told. Very conscious by the end that this time last week I was having surgery, and stamina definitely not what it was.
@Nenya is "Dorset apple cake" really a thing in Dorset?
I don't know - I've never heard of it and don't know what makes it specifically Dorset. But then, I live in Wiltshire .
I've stewed the apples and we'll try them tomorrow. I suspect they'll be sour, being unripe, so I did add a bit of sugar to the cooking. They are windfalls so there was a lot of cutting around the rotten bits, no chance of coring and baking them, even if I had an air fryer.
It's been a Very Hot Day, hotter than of late, and we've been out this evening so the house on our return was very stuffy. All windows and doors are now flung open and we were drinking Pimms on the Patio at 10pm.
We're getting a lot of flies in the house, hard to know if that's just normal if you're keeping doors and windows open or whether it's because it was fields here not so long ago.
@Firenze , that sounds like a very energetic day, particularly for one recovering from surgery. Do take things easy.
Just back from a long weekend on the south coast (thanks again for all the welcomes). The heat was much more tolerable there as there was a definite sea breeze. Today, however, feels horrible here in south London (downstairs the temperature was already 26 when the dog and I went for a ridiculously early walk). Apparently we're likely to see 35 - aargh!
Last day off today so I will be doing as little as possible.
Here too the day is shaping up to be very hot. I watered the garden early and we're gradually closing windows and curtains as the sun moves round the house. I've been wanting a trip to our local plant nursery for some things to give late summer colour to the garden, but there's no shade at all there and I pity any plant being uprooted and disturbed at the moment when they're all doing their best simply to cope with the heat. The trip will wait until next week.
Next job - another load of washing and then coffee with Mr Nen, who is currently on a zoom call and has another at 11.30 but can manage to fit me in for a coffee date in between the two .
We're expecting 39° again today. I feel like this has been going on forever We went and did some Shopp Ing for my father-in-law this morning, and this afternoon we are back to our regularly scheduled programme of napping under the air con.
The first recorded recipe came from in Bridport, and the cake was supposedly created to use up gluts of regional apples, and has been voted as the food most associated with Dorset.
That being said, the apple traditionally used is the Bramley, which originated in Nottinghamshire.
Although we have a particular fondness for the county of Dorset, I've never made a Dorset Apple Cake as it is topped with demerara sugar and Mr RoS hates cake (or biscuit, or pie) with sugar on the top.
Just 33C/89F at the moment in Arkland the Torrid, though it might get a little hotter this afternoon.
Being a bit short of BEER, and one or two other Essentials, I essayed a trip to Tess Coe, in the hope that Heatwave The Fourth might be keeping some people away. I was right - straight into an empty disabled-parking space, and, once the traipse around the aisles was complete (O! the blessings of air-conditioning!), straight to a checkout with no-one in front of me.
It's news to me that the apple is associated with Dorset; I always thought Somerset was the county for that. Google tells me it's both. I love the idea that when the question "What shall we do with all these extra apples?" was posed the people of Somerset said, "Make cider!" and the people of Dorset said, "Make a cake!"
Following my coffee date with Mr Nen I had a nice long catch-up with a friend over the phone. She is hoping to move to Wells and is currently battling with all the Hitches and Vexations, Delays and Distress associated with moving house. Having done it recently ourselves she has my heartfelt sympathy.
Glad you had a successful trip @Bishops Finger ; enjoy that BEER!
Very hot here this afternoon in the Wilds of Wiltshire .
Not so hot in Zooport as elsewhere today, but we’re not doing a whole lot. Have been planning meals with Mrs Sioni but neither of us really wants anything. Eggy stuff and sammidges will probably do: I like a nice cheese salad sandwich.
@Priscilla I've made Dorset apple cake before, I just wondered if it was actually from Dorset or if it was just a marketing thing - like with Devon honey cake, I couldn't find much info on its origins.
Funnily enough I associate growing eating apples with Herefordshire/Gloucestershire/Worcestershire but cider with Devon and Cornwall - really just because I grew up having holidays in Devon and Cornwall, and there were always cider mills/cider farms around! But I think apple-growing and cider-making has always been a widespread thing in the UK, apples take basically no effort to ferment (lots of natural yeast on the skin, like with grapes) and apples need less sunshine than hops do.
A high of 36c today which I have mostly slept through. @la vie en rouge the unending nature of heatwaves this year is really unpleasant, it just feels relentless. My flat is OK as long as the blinds are shut and the fan is on, but I really dislike having to be cooped up all day.
@Bishops Finger hope you have enjoyed some fine Kentish BEER - although I know Kent produces CIDER too.
I wonder if you can make a cider or perry type drink from cherries? I know there is plum jerkum, which is the plum equivalent (and I think should be more widespread as it sounds delicious).
There is Hungarian Pálinka, made from plums, but this is a spirit with a high alcohol content.
Many years ago, I worked with a Hungarian chap, and he used to bring a bottle of Palinka to the office when he came back from Budapest. I can vouch for the fact that it is a tasty liquor, but, as @Baptist Trainfan says, very alcoholic...
At the moment, I'm drinking Italian BEER, mostly non-alcoholic Peroni which includes Sicilian Lemon Juice, and also some nice non-alcoholic CIDER from Thatcher's.
I do like Kentish BEER (as you may guess from my username), but prefer the European stuff these days...
@Bishops Finger hope you have enjoyed some fine Kentish BEER - although I know Kent produces CIDER too.
I wonder if you can make a cider or perry type drink from cherries? I know there is plum jerkum, which is the plum equivalent (and I think should be more widespread as it sounds delicious).
You can make an alcoholic drink of any strength from wine to beer out of virtually any fruit.
@Bishops Finger hope you have enjoyed some fine Kentish BEER - although I know Kent produces CIDER too.
I wonder if you can make a cider or perry type drink from cherries? I know there is plum jerkum, which is the plum equivalent (and I think should be more widespread as it sounds delicious).
You can make an alcoholic drink of any strength from wine to beer out of virtually any fruit.
Oh sure, I just wondered if it was an established 'thing'.
There is Hungarian Pálinka, made from plums, but this is a spirit with a high alcohol content.
Many years ago, I worked with a Hungarian chap, and he used to bring a bottle of Palinka to the office when he came back from Budapest. I can vouch for the fact that it is a tasty liquor, but, as @Baptist Trainfan says, very alcoholic...
At the moment, I'm drinking Italian BEER, mostly non-alcoholic Peroni which includes Sicilian Lemon Juice, and also some nice non-alcoholic CIDER from Thatcher's.
I do like Kentish BEER (as you may guess from my username), but prefer the European stuff these days...
I keep meaning to try the non-alcoholic ciders (I dislike the flavour/smell of hops so the only beer I like is coffee/chocolate stout and Belgian cherry kriek...). Have you tried any other brands? I prefer a scrumpy-type dry cloudy cider so I stick with cloudy apple juice - the non-alcoholic ciders are relatively expensive in my experience.
Swedish Kopparberg cider is available without alcohol - our local Tess Coe stocks Mixed Fruit and Strawberry & Lime flavours - and IIRC the packs of four 330ml cans are less than £4, at least if you have a Clubcard.
Admittedly, Kopparberg might be a bit too sweet for some tastes!
The Thatcher's non-alcoholic packs of four 440ml cans are also about £4 each.
Another interestingly fruity non-alcoholic beer is Heineken with Nectarine and Juniper...again, about £4 for a pack of four 330ml cans, and not IME with any hint of hops...
Comments
I've stewed the apples and we'll try them tomorrow. I suspect they'll be sour, being unripe, so I did add a bit of sugar to the cooking. They are windfalls so there was a lot of cutting around the rotten bits, no chance of coring and baking them, even if I had an air fryer.
It's been a Very Hot Day, hotter than of late, and we've been out this evening so the house on our return was very stuffy. All windows and doors are now flung open and we were drinking Pimms on the Patio at 10pm.
We're getting a lot of flies in the house, hard to know if that's just normal if you're keeping doors and windows open or whether it's because it was fields here not so long ago.
@Firenze , that sounds like a very energetic day, particularly for one recovering from surgery. Do take things easy.
@Nenya oops! My apologies.
Thank you.
Last day off today so I will be doing as little as possible.
Next job - another load of washing and then coffee with Mr Nen, who is currently on a zoom call and has another at 11.30 but can manage to fit me in for a coffee date in between the two
That being said, the apple traditionally used is the Bramley, which originated in Nottinghamshire.
Although we have a particular fondness for the county of Dorset, I've never made a Dorset Apple Cake as it is topped with demerara sugar and Mr RoS hates cake (or biscuit, or pie) with sugar on the top.
Being a bit short of BEER, and one or two other Essentials, I essayed a trip to Tess Coe, in the hope that Heatwave The Fourth might be keeping some people away. I was right - straight into an empty disabled-parking space, and, once the traipse around the aisles was complete (O! the blessings of air-conditioning!), straight to a checkout with no-one in front of me.
Following my coffee date with Mr Nen I had a nice long catch-up with a friend over the phone. She is hoping to move to Wells and is currently battling with all the Hitches and Vexations, Delays and Distress associated with moving house. Having done it recently ourselves she has my heartfelt sympathy.
Glad you had a successful trip @Bishops Finger ; enjoy that BEER!
Very hot here this afternoon in the Wilds of Wiltshire
Funnily enough I associate growing eating apples with Herefordshire/Gloucestershire/Worcestershire but cider with Devon and Cornwall - really just because I grew up having holidays in Devon and Cornwall, and there were always cider mills/cider farms around! But I think apple-growing and cider-making has always been a widespread thing in the UK, apples take basically no effort to ferment (lots of natural yeast on the skin, like with grapes) and apples need less sunshine than hops do.
A high of 36c today which I have mostly slept through. @la vie en rouge the unending nature of heatwaves this year is really unpleasant, it just feels relentless. My flat is OK as long as the blinds are shut and the fan is on, but I really dislike having to be cooped up all day.
I wonder if you can make a cider or perry type drink from cherries? I know there is plum jerkum, which is the plum equivalent (and I think should be more widespread as it sounds delicious).
Many years ago, I worked with a Hungarian chap, and he used to bring a bottle of Palinka to the office when he came back from Budapest. I can vouch for the fact that it is a tasty liquor, but, as @Baptist Trainfan says, very alcoholic...
At the moment, I'm drinking Italian BEER, mostly non-alcoholic Peroni which includes Sicilian Lemon Juice, and also some nice non-alcoholic CIDER from Thatcher's.
I do like Kentish BEER (as you may guess from my username), but prefer the European stuff these days...
You can make an alcoholic drink of any strength from wine to beer out of virtually any fruit.
Oh sure, I just wondered if it was an established 'thing'.
I keep meaning to try the non-alcoholic ciders (I dislike the flavour/smell of hops so the only beer I like is coffee/chocolate stout and Belgian cherry kriek...). Have you tried any other brands? I prefer a scrumpy-type dry cloudy cider so I stick with cloudy apple juice - the non-alcoholic ciders are relatively expensive in my experience.
Admittedly, Kopparberg might be a bit too sweet for some tastes!
The Thatcher's non-alcoholic packs of four 440ml cans are also about £4 each.
Another interestingly fruity non-alcoholic beer is Heineken with Nectarine and Juniper...again, about £4 for a pack of four 330ml cans, and not IME with any hint of hops...