Floods in UK

This is how parts of England look today.

Emergency evacuations have been going on all day, particularly in  the towns of Ironbridge in Shropshire, and Bewdley in Worcestershire. 

The River Severn runs through these counties and has burst its banks.

The flood barriers have buckled under the weight of the water and it is no longer safe for people to remain in their homes.

 Rescuers have been helping so many people, sometimes with a boat, sometimes carrying folk from their top floor  with ladders.

No fields are visible.

Homes swallowed up by water.

 A church is surrounded.

So very sad to see this.

Homes and businesses have been destroyed.

There is grief, sadness and panic. No one knows what the next day will bring. Yet in it all so many groups are working to bring a semblance of normality to life. There is a huge community spirit.

Charities are activating Disaster funds. Churches are opening their doors to anyone who needs a place. Clothing and food donations are pouring in.
Prayers are being said in all our churches. We are all praying.

Britain isnt going to allow herself to sink.

Memories of Violets

As the first Spring flowers begin to open in my garden I'm happy to see the tiny violets growing wild in the grass under the hedges. They can be an absolute nuisance if they get into the flower beds, which they always do, as they run. And run. Until they have done what they feel is best, which is to cover every available bit of ground.

I spend a lot of time carefully moving them.

And quite a lot of time telling them how naughty they are.

But.....memories take me back to our lane in Cornwall, just after the war, where we were the first 'newcomers' to live. 

Along the lane was a white cottage with a large allotment. Mr and Mrs Bursey ran the allotment growing solely Violets. Rows and rows.

They were amazing. Large flowers deeply violet coloured. Highly scented, and much in demand in London markets.

Every day Mr Bursey would be out picking. If we asked nicely we were allowed to help him, but we didnt manage the craft of beautiful bunching as he did.

But the feel of those damp, sometimes rain spotted leaves, and the scent of the flowers will always remain as a childhood memory.

Mr Bursey's allotment is long gone now, and a smart 'waterside residence' has taken its place.

In the days before and  after the War, there was a special train from Penzance in Cornwall which took flowers, violets, sometimes primroses delicately bunched, hyacinths and daffoldils up to Covent Garden market.

Those tiny posies that Eliza Doolittle sold to gentlemen for buttonholes became so popular that a bunch would sell for 24 shillings in London, whereas in Cornwall they would have only fetched 4 shillings (20p)

Covent garden market as it once was.

The market moved in the 1970s but Covent Garden is still a popular place to visit.

Gooseberry Crumble

The rain continues, day after day. The lawn is a sea of water.

We are not at risk of flooding being at the top of a little hill, but the grass just can't soak up any more water. The wind is howling. This is Storm Dennis, following Storm Chiara.

So today was a day for a restorative hot lunch.

Roast chicken, roast potatoes, mixed vegetables, gravy.......

And then, a Gooseberry Crumble, using the last of the berries in the freezer.

With cream.

The delicious cooking smells from the kitchen whetted our appetites all morning.

It all tasted so good, and so right for such a horrible day.

It's funny how we seem to need to wrap ourselves up in a comfort blanket of warming food when Winter throws its worst at us.

Storm Ciara

Storm Chiara has arrived, with an amber weather warning for Cornwall.

Trains are cancelled.

Flights are cancelled.

Trees are down , roads are closed.

Gales of up to 90 miles an hour are predicted.

Power is out in many villages.

There are flood warning in many areas.

Some National Trust places are closed.

The Falmouth lifeboat went out to rescue a man on a German tanker, with winds of Force 7.

We are prepared . Hot soup for lunch.  Torch at hand. Candles ready. Hot water in a flask.

There is more bad weather to come apparently.

We pray for all the rescue services who will no doubt be risking their lives to help and rescue people this weekend.

Recipe books

This is one of my favourite recipe books.

The Tuscan sun, by Frances Mayes, echoes so much of her novels written about her house in Tuscany.

'Under the Tuscan Sun', and 'Bella Tuscany' are two evocative stories of renovating an old house in olive groves. In her writings you can feel the warmth of the sun, smell the olives, see the sunflowers.

I was delighted when I found the recipe book a while ago.
Every now and then I feel like veering away from tried and tested traditional English dishes.

This sounds good! Simple but tasty.
I'll let you know.

I think everyone has a favourite cook book. Some of mine are very old now and include my Grandma's recipe book, all handwritten. Mary Berry figures on my shelf too.
I expect you have treasured copies of recipes?