Norfolk - A Little Piece of Heaven

Wonderfully aged sailing boats passing us by on the Norfolk Broads as we chugged along in our little motor boat. We spotted a zillion Dragonflies, a Cormorant and a juvenile Heron, so close up. A bevy of Swans and their delightful offspring. We went beach combing, and paddled in the cool sea, we visited Holkham Hall which was very grand and quite beautiful of course. We went to a Baroque chamber concert, Li Fiori, musical flower gardens of the 17th century and sat in a 17th century octagonal chapel whilst we were transported by the sights and sounds. We ate well and walked and walked, and we even made friends with Scarlett our hostess's sweet little dog. We can't wait to move to Norfolk it has enchanted us.

Home Comforts- Oat Biscuit Recipe

I've been baking today, it's a very speedy easy recipe and the biscuits are quite delicious and I think quite healthy. I have swopped the oil to olive oil and reduced the sugar quantity to 75gms down from 165gms. We call these our emergency biscuits, as we take them away with us when we holiday in the UK, handy in case we find ourselves with no access to decent food, or healthy snacks. I hope you'll try them and let me know what you think. 150gms jumbo organic oats, 50mls olive oil, 75gms brown sugar, 1 beaten egg, 25gms sunflower seeds, 50gms chopped apricots (the dried soft ones in packets). Put the oats in a bowl, stir in sugar and olive oil, cover with a clean cloth and leave for one hour. Add the rest of the ingredients stir well and form into biscuits on a baking tray. Bake for approx 12-15 minutes, at 180 (medium oven) until lightly browned, allow to cool and munch. I've also managed to harvest 800gms of big dark blackest blackcurrants from our garden to make some jam. I might add I've still left huge amounts for the birds. And a very kind lady gave me 6 empty Bonne Maman jars, so pretty, after I put in a request on Freecycle. Have you all heard about Freegle and Freecycle? You can gift and request things for free, in your local area. Saves items being put into landfill. No waste all gain.

Imaginary Conversations : An Erdem Collection Inspired By Dowager Duchess Deborah

A new exhibition at Chatsworth which I'm pleased to say I helped with in a tiny way, and I mean teeny tiny.

The gorgeous pink confection of a dress and the Elvis slippers were actually owned and worn by Debo. A huge fan of Elvis, she sadly didn't get to meet him.

Aberdeen-Fairytale Castles & Gorgeous Art

I recently travelled north of the border to see an old chum. She's been having a hard time of late and I wanted to see her and give her some support, and have a few laughs of course, which is very good medicine in my book. We chatted for England, well I suppose she chatted for Scotland, let me tell you, she won. We had a laid back time. Aberdeen has much to offer and I really enjoyed the differenceness, is that a word? and the culture. Look at the divine pink Craigievar Castle, I must apologise for not crediting the photo, I found it on a local posting and don't know who took it. But rather special, no?

The Aberdeen Art Gallery was splendid and I could have spent hours in there just gawping at the art. Unfortunately whilst I was there a large school party invaded the gallery and made the most tremendous noise whilst wandering around touching the exhibits. The teachers did nothing to supervise the children which greatly surprised and annoyed me, I did well to keep my council and said nothing, although I did glare, obviously. I do a good glare when I need to.