Back Soon

Ooops just realised how long it is since I last posted.

My current employment contract finishes at the end of March and I have been very busy applying (unsuccessfully so far) for new jobs.

I'll be back as soon as I get more than a minute or two! In the meantime I am managing to read most of your blogs.

See you soon - hopefully with better news on the job front!

First walk of 2012.

Well that was Christmas...

...and quite a pleasant one too.

Today though a walk to blow the cobwebs away.

Eldest daughter Ellie joined us on a walk along the Bollihope Burn. A walk known locally as "Rocky Glen".

Through the mud and past the sheep...

...over the bridge...

...and past the pond with...

...a patch of colour in the yellow gorse.

Onward through the rocky gap.

A glance back to see brief sunlight reflected on the towering rock.

Fungi on trunk ...

...and branch...

...and ground.

Rushing streams ...

...and tiny trickling waterfalls.

Then turning back to retrace our steps.

Inquisitive sheep and afternoon moon.

Off down the hill to our village in the distance.

Then home for hot milky coffee and fish finger sarnies!

Yesterday's Solstice celebrations.

Yesterday we celebrated the Winter Solstice.

Dave and I rose early and drove up onto the moors to greet the sunrise.

Unfortunately it was quite overcast, though the view of the low lying mist in the valleys was quite beautiful.

No sun to be seen however.

Solstice 2011

 A very different picture to last year's snowy but clear Solstice Sunrise.

Solstice Sunrise 2010

We took a nice scenic route home driving through Teesdale and over Harthope Head (One of the two equally highest public roads in England) back into Weardale.

The rest of the day was spent preparing for our annual Solstice family meal.

The menu was -

Nibbles to begin-
Rye sourdough, chiabatta and prawns served with dips.
(Garlic - recipe from "The Takeaway Secret", olive oil and balsamic vinegar, mojo sauce ) along with olives, artichokes and spicy tomato and lentil soup shots with parsnip crisps.

Main course-
Organic roast chicken, organic roast silverside and belly pork with blackpudding.
Stuffing balls (Pork, sage & onion and pork, rosemary and cranberry)
Pigs in blankets
New potatoes
Roast potatoes
Carrots
Roast parsnip
Yorkshire puddings
Gravy.

Dessert
 A choice of cinnamon panacotta served with mulled fruits or Nigella's sticky toffee pudding served with either cream or ice cream.
 
The mojo sauce was very garlicky and was a big hit with everyone, I used smoked paprika which also gave a bit of a kick to it. I can definitely recommend it.

I have spent today recovering from all that cooking in preparation for cooking Christmas lunch, though thankfully that will only be for four of us rather than the ten I cooked for last night!

Love Linda xxx